By Ryan Greene (contact)

Sun, Sep 7, 2008 (12:16 a.m.)

SALT LAKE CITY -- While injuries removed two key pieces of UNLV's linebacking corps, Saturday night marked the return to the lineup for two of the Rebels' other defensive leaders.

Both cornerback Quinton Pointer and defensive tackle Jacob Hales came back from elbow dislocations suffered at different points in fall camp to see action against Utah. Hales made his first appearance in the second quarter, while Pointer got the start.

It was obvious, though, that getting back to normal will take a bit for the Rebels' top defensive pack. Adjusting to life with a brace on his left arm, he dropped a pair of pick attempts late in the first half, and also muffed a shot at scooping up a loose ball for a potential score in the third quarter. The fumble was ultimately recovered by Utah.

"I think a guy that has a dislocated elbow is going to be affected in his ability to catch the football, in not having enough time to adapt," UNLV coach Mike Sanford said.

Ishii to punt ... for now

Juco transfer Brendon Lamers' first punt attempt of the night was not up to the coaching staff's liking.

Of course, after it traveled only 8 yards, that wasn't too tough to predict.

He was yanked in favor of third-string quarterback Dack Ishii, who also serves as the team's holder/backup punter.

Ishii connected on seven punts for a 44.4-yard average. His first kick went 63 yards after lining its way over return man John Peel's head and rolling for about 20 yards.

"I would say so, yes," Sanford said when asked if the job belongs to Ishii. "I thought he did a lot of good things.

More on Fuimaono, Paulo

Starr Fuimaono said he heard a pop in his knee when he went down. The injury came when his left knee buckled as he was double-teamed.

"Hopefully it's not too bad and I can come back sometime," he said.

Ronnie Paulo, on the other hand, hurt his ankle when a teammate rolled on it while the two chased a Utah ball carrier downfield.

Sanford's initial outlook was more positive regarding Paulo's potential return than Fuimaono's.

"I've got a feeling Ronnie Paulo will be back," he said. "I don't know when, but he'll be back this season. I don't know the extent of Starr Fuimaono's injury."

Fuimaono will have an MRI early this week.

Payne continues to impress

Freshman wideout Phillip Payne continues to make an impression early in his Rebel career. The Western High product, looking like a big-time steal in this year's freshman class, caught four balls for 63 yards, and another touchdown on what looks to be his specialty -- the fade route.

Payne now has 113 yards and two scores on eight grabs in two games.

UNLV's leading receiver through two games, though, is veteran Ryan Wolfe. He caught a game-high seven balls Saturday, giving him 14 catches for 148 yards and a pair of touchdowns through two games.

Quite the number

Utah had an announced attendance Saturday of 45,587. It was the third-largest crowd in Rice-Eccles Stadium history, and its 12th sellout.

Next week's foe ...

The Rebels will travel next to face No. 15 Arizona State, wrapping up the season's toughest two-week stretch.

Saturday night, the Sun Devils bounced Stanford in their Pac-10 opener, 41-17. Standout quarterback Rudy Carpenter threw for 344 yards and a trio of scores