No starting spot guaranteed in UNLV secondary

AP Photo/The Fort Collins Coloradoan, Rich Abrahamson

Colorado State receiver Rashaun Greer, a Mojave High grad, catches a deep ball against UNLV on Oct. 4, 2008.

By Ryan Greene (contact)

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 | 2:05 a.m.

Tuesday's UNLV football practice was a bit more lively -- especially on the defensive side of the ball -- than what you'd expect for most teams in the early stages of a bye week.

Then again, this isn't your normal bye week. Coach Mike Sanford and his staff made sure right on the heels of their team's second straight loss that it didn't feel that way.

"What we're doing is we're looking at people," he said. "Obviously, we want to create more competition in the secondary. We basically have said that there's no starting jobs right now, and we're probably not going to determine the starters until the beginning of next week."

It sounds a little odd for a team that started the season 3-1 with back-to-back wins over BCS conference foes. But things changed a bit when the Rebels dropped their last two contests -- most recently a 41-28 decision at Colorado State -- and allowed 1,130 yards of total offense in the process.

While rotations appear to be pretty set in terms of the front seven, the Rebels staff is trying to re-establish consistency, especially within the last line of defense.

"The difference back there, which is sometimes hard to understand, especially when you're a player, is a defensive lineman can make a mistake and it's six inches," said defensive coordinator Dennis Therrell. "A linebacker can make a mistake and it's six yards. (A defensive back) makes a mistake and it's six points. What's asked of them, it's a higher demand, and if you're not going to do it, we're going to find someone else who can do it.

"It's been inconsistency. It's not just one player. One time it's this player, next time it's this player, next time it's this player. One time it's a technique thing, one time it's a lack of hustle, and one time it's a blown assignment. It's got to be more consistent play. They lined up and played against Arizona State and played against Iowa State, and played their butts off. They can play. And we're going to demand that they play. Bottom line. Or we're going to play someone else."

Granted, depth has been an issue in the defensive backfield from day one this season.

Both Travis Dixon and Chris Jones -- who entered camp on the quarterback depth chart -- were switched to safety in camp, moves that potentially added some depth. Dixon made his debut at safety last Saturday at CSU. Terrance Lee, Daryl Forte and Lorenzo Bursey Jr. have come up big at times, but missed tackles have been a sore spot as of late.

As for the cornerback posts, Quinton Pointer and Geoffery Howard both have dealt with the injury bug. Pointer has had a tough time returning to his form of a year ago since dislocating his elbow on the second day of camp this fall, while Howard left Saturday's game with a sprained toe.

"It's like a wake-up call to us, that we have to get on our job," Forte said following Tuesday's practice. "We should be 5-1 right now instead of 3-3. We gave up a couple of games we should have definitely won."

Forte said he and his fellow defensive backs didn't take the lack of security regarding their starting jobs in a negative way. They're smart enough to know something of the nature was coming.

"We gave up over 1,000 yards of total offense the last two games, so I think everybody should be worried about their job, step up and do better," he said.

A 49-27 loss to UNR at home two weeks ago served as an initial cause for concern, where an unusually high number of missed tackles -- 24 of them, actually -- helped spring the Wolf Pack to 444 yards on the ground and another 176 through the air. Things didn't necessarily improve too much a week later.

Saturday in Fort Collins, after the offense clawed its way to a 28-27 come-from-behind lead with 6:05 to play in regulation, the Colorado State offense -- fueled by Gartrell Johnson, who rushed for 191 yards on the day -- drove 80 yards and swallowed all but nine seconds of the clock en route to a go-ahead touchdown.

"It's been awful," Therrell said of watching that drive on film over and over. "It's like going to a funeral for a third, fourth, fifth time. And it was (awful) for the players."

But reviewing it has been nothing short of mandatory.

That's especially true since UNLV's first opponent out of the bye, Air Force, may be the most run-heavy offense they'll face all season. The 3-2 Falcons, who take on San Diego State this weekend, have only thrown for 412 yards this year. On the flip side, they have four players with at least 200 yards on the ground through five games, which has propelled them to being the Mountain West's top rushing offense to this point in the season (270.8 ypg).

It's no secret that they'll stick to what's worked when they come to Sam Boyd Stadium a week from Saturday. The Rebels' defense ranks second-to-last in the MWC in run defense (213.0 ypg) and in total defense (427.2 ypg).

"I think that's a good thing," Sanford said of facing a run-first offense next. "It's also a challenge because we haven't been very good at (stopping) it."

Now the Rebels want to also find more guys who can stop it while they have a little extra time on their hands.

Mostly, the areas where depth is still a point of emphasis are those spots behind the defensive line.

A couple of guys who have already emerged in recent weeks are linebacker Nate Carter and safety Beau Orth. Both are freshmen, and with that comes some development issues.

Carter was thrust into the starting lineup when Starr Fuimaono, arguably UNLV's top defensive performer entering the season, went down to an ACL tear against Utah in the season's second game. He's performed well, but is still getting used to the suddenly increased reps. Also in Fuimaono's absence, junior Jason Beauchamp has shone as the MWC's top tackler, averaging 10.83 stops per game.

As for Orth, he's made big plays happen in limited opportunities. On Saturday, he forced a key first quarter fumble on special teams that set up the Rebels' second touchdown of the game. But he's still learning the defense to an extent. He'll see more time on the field as weeks go by.

Now they need some company in terms of younger guys ready to contribute. More quality depth could help cut down on consistency and focus issues late in games, which Therrell said fatigue can help contribute to.

"I don't feel good about our depth anywhere, and I know many teams don't right now," Therrell said. "I've talked to friends of mine all across the United States the last two, three days, saying 'We're three, four players (getting hurt) away from being not very good.' A guy like Beau Orth ,who keeps getting better and better and better, we're starting to play him a lot more. We need some linebackers and guys in the secondary to keep improving.

"I really feel that from Game Five to the end of the season is won or lost by your twos."

Random bumps and bruises ...

On Tuesday, the Rebels practiced in shoulder pads, helmets and shorts. Some players, though, were held out of pads, using the early portion of the bye week to heal up from random bumps and bruises.

Those who didn't suit up completely included running back Frank Summers, receivers Casey Flair and Ryan Wolfe, offensive linemen Evan Marchal and Joe Hawley and defensive tackle Jacob Hales.

Marchal wore a walking boot on his sore ankle, which he's hurt twice already this season.

Statistical updates

Some numbers and rankings of note during the bye week ...

-UNLV is one of just five teams in the nation (along with Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, Troy and Syracuse) to score on each trip into the red zone this season. The Rebels are 18-of-18 inside their opponents' 20, including 15 touchdowns scored. Their 114 red zone points are second only to Oklahoma's 163.

-Jason Beauchamp's aforementioned 10.83 tackles per game ranks ninth in the nation.

-Dack Ishii came out of left field to become as reliable a weapon as he has for UNLV as a punter this year. The proof lies with his 43.57 average distance per kick. That's good for 17th in the nation and second in the Mountain West.

-Ryan Wolfe's 6.83 receptions per game rank 17th in the nation.

-Omar Clayton's passer rating of 143.7 ranks 34th nationally. Of all quarterbacks who have thrown at least 150 passes this season, only Missouri's Chase Daniel has thrown fewer interceptions (1) than Clayton's two.

Rebels calling on former lettermen to return for homecoming ...

As a part of homecoming festivities next weekend when Air Force comes to town, Sanford and the Rebels are inviting all former UNLV football players to a lettermen event before kickoff.

Former UNLV players who RSVP will receive two complimentary tickets (plus an option to purchase additional tickets at a special rate) and will be invited to a tailgate dinner outside of Sam Boyd Stadium. Lettermen will also receive a UNLV football T-shirt and will be invited to help welcome the current Rebels onto the field for their game against the Falcons.

This year's event includes a pregame salute to the first Rebels football team of 1968 in conjunction with the program's 40th anniversary celebration.

To confirm attendance, contact UNLV football program director Sara Swanson by Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 702-895-2474 or via e-mail at sara.swanson@unlv.edu.