Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

UNLV Football Notebook: Fire up the Tank?

Rebel running back torched Utes in last year’s shutout with 30 productive touches

UNLV football

Steve Marcus

UNLV’s Frank Summers runs ahead of Utah State defenders Darby Golden, center, and Casey Davis at Sam Boyd Stadium.

The question isn't whether he's capable of doing so.

It's a known fact that UNLV senior running back Frank "The Tank" Summers can handle much more of a load than he did in last Saturday's 27-17 victory over Utah State.

Against the Aggies, the bruiser amassed 87 yards on 14 carries, and snagged two passes out of the backfield for minimal gains.

This Saturday at Utah (5:00 p.m., The Mtn.), Mike Sanford might be wise to give the true motor of his offense more chances to plow.

Last year, as UNLV rippled the Mountain West waters with a 27-0 blanking of Utah at Sam Boyd Stadium, Summers earned much of the praise. He totaled 219 yards (190 rushing) on 30 touches, scoring all three Rebel TDs.

Against a group of Utes riding high into their home opener, trying to monopolize the game clock as much as possible might not be the worst play.

"Whether I get 14 or 34 (carries), it doesn't matter, I'm always itching to get the ball," Summers said. "Biggest thing for us is this is a conference game, and we're trying to make a run at the Mountain West Conference championship, and in order to do that, you have to go through great teams like Utah. We're excited for the opportunity and want to take advantage of it."

Utah last week, in its 25-23 win at Michigan, controlled the ball for 35:54 to the Wolverines' 24:06.

Still no decisions on Hales, Pointer

Senior defensive lineman Jacob Hales and sophomore cornerback Quinton Pointer, both out with elbow injuries suffered at different points in fall camp, are going to be game time decisions come Saturday.

Pointer, who has been out since the early days of camp, suited up last Saturday and was a special teams backup, but never hit the field. Both are practicing this week.

Bring them earplugs

Sanford knows the lay of the land at Rice-Eccles Stadium pretty well, having coached there as a coordinator in 2003 and 2004. Plus, his head coaching post with the Rebels has brought him back once before as a visitor.

"That's a loud place," he said. "I think it might be the loudest in the conference."

Hales said he believes the experience will be a good one for the younger Rebels. Heck, it could be great for the whole team, no matter how experienced, to face rough crowds at Utah and Arizona State in consecutive weeks. Not a bad preparation for later trips to BYU, Colorado State and San Diego State (the latter two should be less than hostile).

"It's always good for younger guys," Hales said. "The only way you're going to learn is to jump into the water. Throw 'em in there, see what happens, mix it up a little bit."

What they're saying ...

Utah's all-world dual-threat kicker Louie Sakoda was asked by the SLC media earlier in the week about the emotions surrounding his team's home opener.

He asked the questioner who they played, and after hearing the response, let out a big grin.

"Well, there'll be no trouble getting passionate about that game," he told the Salt Lake Tribune.

Added linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, when asked about getting another shot at Summers: "After what he did to us last year it pumps you up, but we have to stay focused and make sure we aren't so focused on him, something else opens up."

What the town's saying ...

The Rebels are being given between 21.5 and 22.5 points around town. Last week, as 12.5-point favorites against Utah State, a late Aggie touchdown surely pinched several local hearts (and wallets). Utah, on the other hand, covered last week, as it headed to Ann Arbor as a four-point dog.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy