Pointer, Purvis hope to strengthen grip on starting spots

By Ryan Greene

Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009 | 2:30 a.m.

Game Preview: Sacramento State

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Watch as UNLV football players preview their season opener against Sacramento State. Then Ryan Greene of the Las Vegas Sun gives his prediction for the game.

If you want proof of just how much injuries destroyed UNLV's defense a year ago, look to sophomore Deante' Purvis.

A year ago, forced into duty at cornerback long before he was close to ready, the evidence showed up in the film room late in the season.

"They'd show the clips, and I looked horrible," Purvis said with a laugh. "I didn't know how to backpedal or nothing."

Now, almost a year later, the speedster has knocked the techniques down and is set to start for the Rebels at cornerback as they begin their 2009 season tonight at Sam Boyd Stadium against Sacramento State.

"I think Deante' obviously has come on and developed into — last year he was a fast guy trying to play corner who made some plays on special teams," UNLV coach Mike Sanford said. "He's become a corner, and the exciting thing about it is he can continue to get a lot better."

Thanks to his blistering speed, the Pinole, Calif., native became the Rebels' primary kickoff return man late last season. And thanks to injuries to seemingly everyone listed as a card-carrying member of UNLV's secondary, he played some corner, too.

And now comes 2009.

Purvis won't be playing cornerback to start today's contest out of necessity, but rather the fact that he emerged from a talented pool as one of UNLV's top two corners.

"You've gotta work hard to get what you want, really," Purvis said. "There's more pressure. There's better corners out here now than there were last year. Every corner out here is ready to play."

The coaches also rave about how far his fundamentals have come after only seeing a few snaps at safety before coming to UNLV a year ago. Purvis' upper body strength will also make him a physical corner at the line of scrimmage who can cause receivers fits. His speed will help make up ground when they do work by him.

He'll start across the field from junior Quinton Pointer, with juco transfers Warren Zeigler and Mike Grant hot on their tails.

"I think what you'd like to do is see just, in general, I don't know about separation, but guys rising to the top," Sanford added. "Definite, clear starters. I think right now, in the depth chart we released, it's regular or normal personnel. I think our two best corners are the guys we listed. The safeties are up in the air and we have to see how that develops."

While Purvis has reached new heights, Pointer feels as though he's come full circle.

Two years ago, he was one of the Rebels' heaviest hitters as a freshman, playing the role of the tough, hands-on corner.

Then, on the first day of 2008 fall camp, he suffered an elbow injury that required him to wear a bulky brace for much of the season and took away from both his physical and mental abilities to play the position.

He then missed all of spring practice following shoulder surgery.

"He doesn't look like Inspector Gadget anymore," Sanford said. "He looks fast and he's playing well. The good problem we've got is that Mike Grant and Warren Zeigler are really good players, too."

Pointer said he won't shy away from the competition.

"I don't mind it — since I've been here, it's kinda been like that," he said.

Grant and Zeigler are both expected to play against the Hornets, while starters at the two safety positions may not be known until kickoff. Converted quarterbacks Travis Dixon and Chris Jones are listed atop the depth chart, but have the word 'or' attached right next to them. The other candidates are junior Alex De Giacomo and senior Marquel Martin.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Sam Boyd Stadium.