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twitterUNLV FOOTBALL:
Notebook: Anthony cleared, ready to dish it out
Senior receiver puts concussion behind him, can’t afford another one
Justin M. Bowen
Rodelin Anthony pulls down one of his two touchdown receptions in UNLV’s 23-21 loss to Oregon State at Sam Boyd Stadium on Sept. 12.
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009 | 11 a.m.
Game Preview: BYU vs UNLV
After a horrific loss to UNR, the Rebels try to bounce back this Saturday against BYU. Listen as players and coaches preview the game.
October 8: BYU-UNLV Preview
Ryan Greene of the Las Vegas Sun joins the show to preview the upcoming UNLV-BYU showdown.
UNLV-UNR Recap
Alex Adeyanju and Ryan Greene of the Las Vegas Sun look back at the UNLV-UNR game.
The Rebel Room
Here come the Cougars
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Ryan Greene and Rob Miech discuss UNLV and BYU's upcoming Saturday night clash at Sam Boyd Stadium, which pits a red-hot Cougars offense against a Rebels defense -- and head coach, for that matter -- that is truly against the ropes.
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What others are saying
Read what other writers are saying about UNLV's upcoming game against BYU:
- Deseret News: BYU heading back on road for MWC games
- Deseret News: Unga back in the saddle
- Deseret News: It's step-up time again
- Daily Herald: BYU needs to watch out while Rebels fight themselves
- Daily Herald: Mendenhall says Te'o's lying about DUI incident led to dismissal
- Salt Lake Tribune: RB Tonga is making comeback worth it
- Salt Lake Tribune: Inexperienced offensive line has been solid
Rodelin Anthony may value football more on Saturday night when UNLV takes on BYU than he has at any point in his collegiate career.
Coming off of a concussion suffered in the closing minutes of a 34-33 victory over Hawaii on Sept. 19, Anthony will suit up for the first time since then against the Cougars, knowing that any game could be his last.
That injury came roughly a month after he experienced concussion-like symptoms following an accidental collision with cornerback Kenny Brown during passing drills in fall camp.
"Basically, one more (big) hit and I'm done for the season," Anthony said of the possibility of suffering another concussion. "I really want to catch the ball and hit somebody. I don't want to take any hits. I want to be the deliverer."
More than anything, Anthony wants to simply pick up where he left off.
In three games this season, he caught eight passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns. He'd developed into a reliable No. 3 wideout in the Rebels' open offense and a solid red zone threat.
Then, on kick coverage in the closing minutes of the Hawaii game, he was blind-sided, knocked out cold and needing assistance off the turf.
"It took me a while to recollect," he said. "I didn't know how I got to the field to the bench."
Missing the Rebels' last two games alone wasn't what cranked at Anthony the most. While he relished the time he had to hang out with his 2 1/2-year-old son, Rodenel, he's so far gotten the most out of being back at practice full-time, feeling again as if he's in the mix.
"Both physically and mentally, it was extremely tough," he said. "Physically, you're on that roll, then you stop. You've got to build it all up again."
And he'll be moving on well aware of the fact that another concussion could probably mean his collegiate career is done.
"I can't complain," he said of the information given to him by the team doctors. "Those guys know what they're doing."
No 'trust' issues
The explanation that both coaches and players on the defensive side of the ball have given this week for last Saturday's defensive meltdown mostly has to do with assignments.
Head coach Mike Sanford and defensive coordinator Dennis Therrell both said that, on film, they saw players stretching themselves thin to help out teammates when assignments were blown, opening up opportunities for UNR to rip off those repeated big gains.
"You've just got to trust in the guy next to you," junior linebacker Ronnie Paulo said. "That's the main thing we learned this week. You've got to learn to trust your teammates.
"You can slip into it really easy. You just have to be disciplined on knowing your assignment."
Junior defensive end Malo Taumua said there are no trust issues between the members of the defense.
"Trust is a big thing, and these are all Division-I college football players," he said. "You've got to trust that they're here because they play well. You've got to trust the guy next to you and do your job.
"If all 11 guys do their assignments, we should be fine."
More film study
Taumua said one game tape he's watched this week is that from last year's 32-7 BYU loss at TCU, which dashed the Cougars' BCS hopes.
No one probably wants to forget that night more than BYU quarterback Max Hall, who was just 22-of-42 with two interceptions. He was sacked six times that night and had constant pressure in his face, forcing him into multiple mistakes.
"They got six sacks on him and it affected him the whole game," he said. "That's why the score was 32-7. Pressuring Max Hall is a big thing."
More from Trotter?
Many wondered following last weekend's game why junior running back Channing Trotter wasn't implemented more as a means of keeping the UNR offense off the field.
Trotter, who entered the game with 295 yards and four touchdown runs in the season's first four outings, had just three carries for 2 yards, including a pair of short touchdown runs.
"They were allowing us to throw the football," offensive coordinator Todd Berry said. "They were stacking the box because we had the backup quarterback in, and they were challenging us to throw it. If I had given him 10 carries, he may have had 10 more yards."
Berry said so far this season, each team UNLV has played has thrown an "oddball" defense at the Rebels, straying somewhat from what they normally do. He said, however, that he does not expect that to be the case for BYU.
Other injury notes
Junior quarterback Omar Clayton, who was on the bench for last Saturday's game at UNR with a still-sore right shoulder, is back and practicing this week.
"He practiced fine," UNLV coach Mike Sanford said. "We're gonna see how he does the whole week, see if he has any issues, any swelling. Probably a game day decision as far as who starts, who plays."
Sophomore Mike Clausen was 26-of-50 for 276 yards and a touchdown in his place.
Junior linebacker Starr Fuimaono and senior linebacker Jason Beauchamp are both listed as questionable.
Fuimaono is nursing a sprained ankle suffered in Saturday's first half, while Beauchamp suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee.
Ryan Greene can be reached at ryan.greene@lasvegassun.com or 702-948-7844.
Discussion: 7 comments so far…
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Other teams are throwing odd-ball defenses at us because they know we will not adjust. Our coaches CANT adjust. It is time to FIRE THESE COACHES.
All I'm hearing is more lame excuses from the coaching staff. It's your job to prep these kids for all contingencies. The players might say they have no "trust issues" in each other, but there are more than a few fans out there who have trust issues with the coaches.
Cheer up rebel fans, this will be Sanfords last game as rebel HC. UNLV President Smatresk already said that Sanfords job is on a one week basis at a time from here on out, that comment was posted in the RJ this week. That means after the rebels lose this game huge Sanford will be gone. I have never wanted UNLV to lose so bad in my life!!!
Anthony saying " I don't want to take any hits. I want to be the deliverer."Then don't JUMP or try to over tacklers.
As far as Head coaches??? dismissal,blah..blah..Therrell is the inept one.It is defense where the problem is.
Sanford though I believe does not posses Head Coach attributes still i think he is a ok as offensive coordinator.And realistically, if any change is to happen(what are those odds?) at all..? Therrell is the best move.Change brings life ,Therrell needs to GO!
@ Moni,
If UNLV loses Sanford will be gone & he knows it. I know you want the best for the rebels but the best will never happen under Sanford. Go BYU!!!!
@Moni, BetOnBlack
I don't think Sanford is gone if UNLV loses. UNLV does, however, need to put up a fight ... badly.
Ryan- put up a fight! that they must!!.I am hoping for that oh so common in college ball
<the factor>....BYU takes us at face - value..standings .etc..underestimate thier comp.And the REBELS release all of those dreams of before the landslide started... They don't listen to THERHELL ..and we woop on some choir boyzz.@BetonBlack you going to the Game?
REBEL PRIDE