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twitterUNLV FOOTBALL:
Mondays with Mike: A history of the relationship between Mike and Mike
UNLV’s Sanford and Oregon State’s Riley go way back and have crossed paths plenty ever since
AP PHOTO
Oregon State head coach Mike Riley speaks at Pac-10 football media day in Los Angeles on July 30, 2009. Riley is 49-28 in his current run as the Beavers’ coach, and brings his team to Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday night to face UNLV at 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 | 2:30 a.m.
Southern California quarterbacks Kyle Wachholtz, left, and Brad Otton talk with offensive coordinator Mike Riley during practice on Thursday, Dec. 28, 1995 in Los Angeles. While an assistant at USC, Riley shared an office with receivers coach Mike Sanford. Riley's Oregon State squad will face Sanford and UNLV on Saturday night at 8 p.m. at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Next game
- Opponent: Oregon State
- Date: Sept. 12, 8 p.m.
- Where: Sam Boyd Stadium
- TV: CBS College Sports
- Radio: ESPN Radio 1100 AM
- The Line: Oregon State by 7
- Series History: UNLV leads 3-1
- Last Meeting: Oct. 14, 2002 — Oregon State won, 47-17
Editor's note: Each Monday, UNLV football coach Mike Sanford meets with the media to discuss last weekend's action and next weekend's matchup. So each week the Sun will bring you notes and quotes discussing both.
Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium will mark the first time that UNLV's Mike Sanford and Oregon State's Mike Riley have ever squared off as head coaches.
But that doesn't mean the two are unfamiliar with one another.
In fact, plenty of Sanford's current offensive philosophy was developed when he was both an assistant alongside Riley at Southern Cal in the 90's and an assistant under Riley a few years later with the San Diego Chargers.
"I guess we kinda have a lot of the same views and thoughts about coaching, and we had a lot of fun coaching together," the fifth-year UNLV coach said about the ninth-year OSU coach. "A combination of hard work and detail, but enjoying it and making it fun."
Sanford on Monday afternoon offered up a shortened version of how the two intertwine.
Riley was the offensive coordinator at USC from 1993-96, sharing an office with Sanford, who at the time coached receivers.
During the 1995 season, the Trojans would rotate quarterbacks each series, switching between Brad Otton and Kyle Wachholtz. Over the course of the campaign, Riley and Sanford both picked up on the fact that one thing SC did well, no matter who was at quarterback, was run a two-minute, shotgun offense to near-perfection.
Before the 1996 Rose Bowl against Northwestern, the two approached Trojans coach John Robinson to suggest installing it right off the bat against the Wildcats, who would be caught completely off-guard.
"We said, 'Well, if we're this good at two-minute, why don't we just run it in the game,'" Sanford recalled. "So we came out in the Rose Bowl against Northwestern, and they were America's darling. And we came out and went two-minute offense — shotgun, no-huddle, two-minute offense to start off the game. And had a lot of success with it."
Behind an MVP performance from future NFL star receiver Keyshawn Johnson, it was never a game, as the Trojans smashed everyone's favorite underdog, 41-32. It wasn't nearly as close as the final score indicated.
Mike Riley covers his face as his San Diego Chargers lost their ninth straight game, 25-22, to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2001, in San Diego. Riley, who had current UNLV coach Mike Sanford on staff as his receivers coach, was fired from the post a few days later, but would return to coach Oregon State in 2003, where he still is today. He brings the Beavers to Sam Boyd Stadium to face the Rebels on Saturday night for an 8 p.m. kickoff.
A few years later, as Riley followed up a two-year head coaching stint at Oregon State by taking the head coaching position with the Chargers, he called Sanford to recruit him as his receivers coach.
"It was awesome," Sanford said of his three-year run as an NFL assistant. "I was at Notre Dame at the time, and (Riley) actually called me on a Signing Day, and had the opportunity. It's funny, because Bob Davie had Urban (Meyer) try to talk me out of it, because Urban was a receivers coach (at Notre Dame)."
By 2002, Riley was relieved of his duties in San Diego, but after a year as an assistant with the New Orleans Saints, he returned to Oregon State, where he's since gone 49-28 and 5-0 in bowl appearances, including last year's 3-0 victory over Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl.
Sanford, meanwhile, would end up with Urban Meyer at Utah in 2003, where the two constructed a record-setting offense and helped lead the Utes to the Fiesta Bowl following a perfect 2004 season.
Still, Sanford looks back on his time both alongside and under Riley in helping turn him into the coach that he is today.
"(In San Diego) we had the use of a film library of every college football team in the country, which for a coach, it's almost like Christmas," Sanford said. "It was this huge room with sliding deals. I studied a lot. When I had free time, I studied spread offense teams.
"That was a tremendous time, just learning and studying football. It had a lot to do with kind of building a philosophy of what to do on offense."
Brothers Jacquizz Rodgers, right, and James Rodgers watch from the sidelines during the second half of their 34-7 victory over Portland State in Corvallis, Ore., on Saturday. Both did equal amounts of damage, and both will deserve equal attention when they come to face UNLV on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Preparing for the brothers Rodgers
Sanford brought up another name from his days in the Pac-10 when talking about current Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers.
The slippery, 5-foot-7 sophomore amassed 1,291 yards on the ground as a freshman in 2008, and began his 2009 season with a 103-yard, three-touchdown performance in a 34-7 victory over Portland State on Saturday.
"Great player — dynamic," Sanford said. "I'll tell you who he reminds me of: Napoleon Kaufman, who was at Washington. He's a little guy, very similar speed, very similar quickness, very similar feeling when he gets the ball.
"I think the big thing is you've gotta be responsible for your gaps, and you've got to tackle and you've got to wrap up, because if you don't tackle well and don't wrap up, he's gonna get out of there on you."
Believe it or not, the Rebels will have two Rodgers to keep an eye on.
The other guy in that equation is Jacquizz's older brother, James, who at 5-7 as well is a dangerous receiving threat for the Beavers.
In his first two years in Corvallis, the elder Rodgers had 1,036 rushing yards on just 96 attempts, and caught 70 passes for 815 yards and five scores.
On Saturday, he had only four touches, but made the most out of them, totaling 118 all-purpose yards, including an 87-yard touchdown catch for the Beavers' first score.
Not the same as last year's Pac-10 challenge
Sanford downplayed any comparison that this year's Pac-10 test would have to that of 2008, which saw UNLV pull off a 23-20 overtime upset of then-No. 15 Arizona State down in Tempe.
"That was a game on the road, we had a perfect storm in a lot of ways," he said. "We had a situation where they were looking ahead to Georgia and a lot of things came together. We played really well. I don't take anything away from that, but this is a completely different deal. We're playing at our stadium, they're coming in here, and it's a whole different scenario. They're a different mentality of a program than an Arizona State. They're a team that, I kind of understand them and I understand how Mike has approached their deal.
"They play with a chip on their shoulder, they're probably the most physical team in the Pac-10. They're not as talented as the 'upper echelon' teams, obviously the Rodgers brothers are as talented as anyone in the league. But what I mean is across the board, they have a bunch of defensive guys who are just tough guys and play hard. They have a really good offensive line that plays hard. It's a completely different deal than anything in the past."
UNLV linebacker Starr Fuimaono takes down Sacramento State running back Terrance Dailey during the first half of the Rebels' 38-3 victory at Sam Boyd Stadium on Sept 5.
Week One standouts
UNLV's offensive player of the game was junior running back Channing Trotter, who had 102 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries in his first career start.
Defensively, junior linebacker Starr Fuimaono took the honors in his first game back since tearing up his left knee at Utah in last season's second week. He had 11 tackles and a sack in the 38-3 drubbing of Sacramento State. On special teams, it was sophomore linebacker Nate Carter.
Sanford also showered some praise on a few of his newcomers, including redshirt freshman guard Sean Tesoro, sophomore cornerback Deante' Purvis (starting on defense for the first time in his career), junior defensive end B.J. Bell for his special teams contributions, freshman receiver Mark Barefield and tight ends Kyle Watkins and Jordan Barrett.
To redshirt or not to redshirt?
Sanford said no decisions have been made yet as to the potential redshirting of freshman corner Courtney Bridget and freshman running back Bradley Randle.
He said he still believes that Randle will play as the season progresses. The highly-touted freshman back did not play against Sacramento State.
Injury report
Senior defensive end/linebacker Jason Beauchamp may not practice much this week, as he is wearing a protective boot on his sprained right ankle.
Sanford said it's possible that Beauchamp, depending on how much he can practice leading up to Saturday's 8 p.m. kickoff, may only play one position rather than two against Oregon State.
As for senior receiver Rodelin Anthony, who had two catches for 73 yards and a score against the Hornets, he is also wearing a boot to protect his sprained right foot. His status is also day-to-day.
BYU players celebrate by performing a haka following their 14-13 upset victory over Oklahoma on Saturday evening in Arlington, Texas.
On the MWC's weekend success ...
The Mountain West Conference went 6-2 over the weekend, including BYU's shocking 14-13 upset of No. 3 Oklahoma.
The only MWC team not to play was TCU, which opens up Saturday on the road at Virginia.
Sanford, who is voting in the coaches poll this season, wouldn't reveal exactly where he's voting the Cougars, but he said he'll give them a spot in his top 10.
"Watched some highlights of it, and very impressed by how hard BYU played," he said. "Obviously, the fact that (OU quarterback and reigning Heisman winner) Sam Bradford got hurt was huge in that game. It's amazing how much that changes Oklahoma now, as far as what style of offense they're gonna be."
The MWC went 2-1 against the Big 12, with Colorado State downing Colorado in Boulder for the first time in 23 years on Sunday evening, 23-17. New Mexico lost its opener at Texas A&M, 41-6.
While the league continues to boost its reputation against foes from BCS conferences, Sanford said that respect is not what his team will be playing for Saturday against Oregon State.
"To me, I think all that stuff, we talk about it after the fact," he said. "To me, all we're doing is doing all we can to prepare for Oregon State. We want to win for us. Obviously, I think our conference is a great conference, and I have great respect for the Mountain West Conference. I'm very excited about what happened this weekend, but this week's a new week. It's all about what you do this week."
Ryan Greene can be reached at ryan.greene@lasvegassun.com or 702-948-7844.
Discussion: 16 comments so far…
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you know what rebel fans, i think we're gonna pull off the W here.
Lenny, I think the fact that the bookmakers have Oregon State as just a 7-point fave suggests that it's not completely out of the realm of possibility ... But in reality, I think UNLV has a better chance than most are giving them. Stopping Jacquizz Rodgers might be the biggest concern of them all, however.
We (UNLV) have a Jacquizz Rogers of our own in Freshman RB Bradley Randle. This kid can soar. I am a fan of speed. www.vimeo.com/2584786 (highlight tape link) We may need his top end speed along with Trotters hard running in this game. Especially if it's another windy game. I take Omar Clayton in any windy game. It's as if he likes the wind factor. Go Rebels.
Focus each and every single week for the Rebels right now, no matter who we play, should be winning and becoming bowl eligible for the first time in what seems like FOREVER!
Just win!
I hope to be at the game this Saurday night. It should be a fun one to watch in person. The Rogers boys are very quick and I hope our d- backs can knock the smaller James off of his route or hold him at the line. 'quizz is very fast and easily lost behind the line of scrimmage. We need to hit him early and often, which is easier said than done, ask USC. However, the way Starr and Ronnie played on Saturday I don't doubt they will look to get inside his braided head early.
Go Rebs. I hope to be there this Saturday and thanks for 3 quarters of entertaining football last Saturday. My kids, ages 3 and 4, really enjoyed their first Rebel game.
I have been posting against some OSU fans & they think the Rebels have no chance at all & are wondering why OSU even scheduled UNLV for this game. I hope the coaches & the players have this attitude because if they do the rebels will win this game because they are being overlooked. The tone you catch from the OSU fans is that the Rodgers brothers will beat UNLV by themselves, as long as the Rebels swarm tackle they will be fine. Fuimaono & Paulo do not miss tackles & are looking
forward to popping Quizz, it will be a fun game.
GO REBS!!
Guys, guys, guys... If you found one Beavers fan that was being stupid - it's just one stupid fan... nothing more.
If you know one thing about OSU it's that they aren't arrogant and don't overlook people...
Cool your jets Poncho Villa...
What bothers me most about the poor excuse for a city,THE ONLY TIME THAT THE STADIUM SELLS OUT IS WHEN THE OTHER TEAMS FANS FILL THE STANDS!This city is so hell bent on getting a pro team here,they cant even support UNLV,unless there winning!And you call this local fan support?What a joke!Instead of wearing your red shirts when they win,how about every sat?
Beaver's most likely will beat The Rebels Saturday Night on National Television.
I just hope it's a good game
@ rumrunner
I agree. I have been going to Rebels games since 1983, at the young age of 4. I have gone through a lot of darkness in my 26 years attending the games. However, I still go, no matter how bad. I have seen 0-12 teams and I was at the 2000 LV Bowl when we demolished the Razorbacks. I do not say this to pump myself up because I know I am not alone. There are people I have seen at many games over the years, no matter how bad the most of the teams have been but they still go.
Last weekend I took my own sons to their first game and they loved it. They are ages 3 and 4. I hope my kids love the Rebels as much as I do and I hope we have started a new family tradition. Even if we had lost the game my kids would have enjoyed themselves. I think many have become wussies and do feel ashamed to cheer for a losing program and this makes no sense to me. We are Las Vegans and the team deserves our support. These guys practice in triple digit weather to represent our city and our University. We at least owe it to them to get out to a game or two. Do not take it out on these young players that the stadium is out in the middle of nowhere or that the parking lot dirt. That is not their fault. Come out to the game and see what fun they can be.
I hope to see many of you at this weeks game. My kids won't be coming because of the late start and TV commercials, but that won't stop me and my wife. Go Rebels!!! We will only think of ourselves as a basketball school unless we support the football program. Win or lose this weekend, the team is vastly improved and I would hate for you to miss a good thing and cheap family night out.
That being said, foregin money coming into NV is good for our economy. Nevadans spending money to go to the game only transfers NV money from one local business to another. Not much net economic gain associated with this, but let us show the Beavers what UNLV is all about.
@ reagan21
I am with you. I am an avid supporter of the Rebels win or lose. I haven't missed a game in 6 seasons. If you want one of those Clayton/Payne shirts I still have a few left. Just swing by spot 31 @ the Star Nursery fields. I should be out there no later than 4:15 for the game. Go Rebels!
@ rebelbuck
Thanks for the offer. I will be out there. Go Rebels!!!!
Maybe mayor martini could name every sat rebels day?Instead of standing up infront of the camara when they win,and proposing it then???
@ rumrunner
I doubt that would happen because it would cut into his camera time. I will say this about Mayor Goodman, he has a lot of self confidence. He is always in front of a camera. If I looked like him I would hide from the public in a boarded up home with foil windows.
My wife came up with a great idea,maybe friday night bon fires on the strip?We could start with the MGM,and work our way down till we get vegas back to its roots?Kill 2 birds with one stone?
@ rumrunner
Kill birds? Don't let PETA hear about this or it could be the end of your career.