Controlled, run-heavy scrimmage caps Rebels’ trip to Ely

Leila Navidi

UNLV coach Bobby Hauck speaks to the local media during Mountain West Conference media day at Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas Tuesday, July 27, 2010.

By Ryan Greene

Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010 | 7 p.m.

ELY — For the casual observer, a scripted, 90-play, run-heavy scrimmage in the unusual morning heat in Ely on Saturday didn't answer very many questions.

For UNLV first-year coach Bobby Hauck and his staff, it was what they wanted.

"We practice situations a lot in camp, and what we wanted to see was live blocking, live tackling, certainly in the run game," Hauck said. "We've got to see if we can stop the run game on defense and tackle people in space. We obviously emphasized that."

The defense got the better of that battle, which was encouraging for a program that ranked 112th out of 120 FBS programs in run defense in 2009, surrendering 220.58 yards per game the old-fashioned way.

On Saturday, the three offensive units only totaled a so-so 103 yards on 29 rushing attempts against the three defensive groups.

It was a scrimmage where execution and technique mattered far more than statistics.

Also, it was an opportunity for Hauck & Co. to close out the 11-day trip up north by getting closer looks at players who they needed to see more of before forming an opinion about where they will fit on the yet-to-be-formulated depth chart.

Quarterbacks senior Omar Clayton (1-of-5, 2 yards, INT/3 carries, 27 yards) and junior Mike Clausen (2-of-2, 33 yards/2 carries, 9 yards), who are competing for the right to start the Sept. 4 opener at Sam Boyd Stadium against No.12 Wisconsin, each took exactly 10 snaps, while several of the rest were handled by redshirt freshman Caleb Herring (9-of-10, 57 yards, TD/5 carries, 14 yards).

Also sitting for much of the session was redshirt freshman tailback Bradley Randle (3 carries, 10 yards), who had arguably the best camp of anyone at his position, though he took a beating while doing so. Splitting the brunt of the carries were senior Channing Trotter (7 carries, 8 yards), who by his own admission has had quite an inconsistent camp, and emerging true freshman Tim Cornett (9 carries, 35 yards), who figures to see some serious playing time now that junior Imari Thompson is out following surgery on his right foot.

Of those who got an extensive look on Saturday, two freshmen who stood out on the defensive end included a pair of local products fresh out of high school — defensive back Eric Tuiloma out of Desert Pines and defensive end Ian Bobak from Bishop Gorman. Both made several plays at or behind the line of scrimmage, helping stuff run plays short.

The Rebels now take two days off, and the fall semester officially begins at UNLV on Monday.

However, the most intense part of the fall camp appears to be in the rear-view mirror.

"In a word, I would describe us as tired," Hauck said, as several players hadn't been pushed as hard as they were in Ely before in their careers. "We looked very fatigued as a football team."

By the time UNLV returns to the field for Tuesday's 4 p.m. practice at Rebel Park, some bodies should be healed.

But as the two-week stretch leading up to the opener gets set to begin, here are five notable talking points now that the annual trip to Ely has come and gone.

1) Secondary showing promise

If there is one area Bobby Hauck has appeared to take a particular interest in at camp, it is in his secondary.

Of course, in his days as an assistant at both Colorado and Washington, it was part of his expertise.

With top returning cornerback Quinton Pointer limited for much of the trip to Ely due to injury, several others stepped up, with that group being led by junior Will Chandler. His solid camp to this point included a nice interception against Phillip Payne on a deep ball down the middle at Saturday's scrimmage.

Two younger guys who appear to making strong pushes toward playing time are Tuiloma and Palo Verde grad Sidney Hodge, who grayshirted last season. The addition of some depth will be more than welcomed by Hauck's staff.

One freshman several fans are curious about is Gorman product Taylor Spencer, who was a great get for Hauck not long after arriving in Las Vegas this winter. He didn't see much action above the No. 3 defense in Ely, and whether he'll play as a freshman is unclear at the moment.

2) Quarterback race too close to call

About a week ago, it appeared as if Clayton was running away with the gig, especially after an injury scare to Clausen that wound up keeping him out of team drills for a couple of days.

However, Clausen came on very strong to close out the stay in Ely, and his confidence clearly blossomed, too. The race between the two close friends and roommates is neck-and-neck.

Hauck has no timetable on naming a starter, and it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he didn't make it public at all before the Wisconsin game. After all, every little mystery or advantage could help against the Badgers.

3) Ground to gain

A handful of players may have lost some ground in their pursuits for playing time due to missing action in camp with injuries.

The most notable in that category is junior running back C.J. Cox, who entered fall camp atop the depth chart at his position. Unfortunately, the same thing happened to Cox last year, when he was also held out of much of camp and was leapfrogged by Channing Trotter.

Now, Trotter is not the only guy likely ahead of him.

Randle had one of the more impressive camps out of all skill position players on offense. And while he appears to be leading the pack, he's likely not a 25-carry-per-game type of guy, meaning that more backs will play.

Cornett made maybe the most impressive push towards the end of the Ely trip.

Push, push, push

Whether the pass rush improves this year or not will of course be determined once the season is under way.

At defensive end, if juniors Jameel Medlock and B.J. Bell are healthy, they both appear poised to contribute. Bell is dealing with a nagging ankle issue, while Medlock's right arm was in a sling the past two days.

One positive on the line, though, is that it clearly has the lead-by-example type of guy it badly needs in senior defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui.

His strong camp has not just included consistently gobbling up run plays at the line of scrimmage and infiltrating the backfield. He's also enjoyed taking on the role of a mentor to the younger linemen — specifically promising freshman tackle Nate Holloway.

Special teams questions abound

Replacing graduating snapper Kamu Kapanui has not been an easy process for Hauck, who pays extra attention to special teams.

But he feels as if it will work out.

"I think it's gotten way better. It's better than the spring, better than it was two weeks ago," he said. "In 20 years, they've all come through. Every single year, they've come through. We work it pretty hard. I think if we keep working, things will be all right."

Leading the way to be the team's long snapper are senior Anthony White and true freshman Kjelby Oiland. On kicks, senior Matt Murphy and junior Thomas Wren are the top candidates.

Hauck also has yet to decide on who will handle kicking and punting duties.

Senior Ben Jaekle was 1-for-2 on field goal attempts on Saturday, connecting from 35 yards out and missing a 45-yarder. Freshman Nolan Kohorst was 0-for-2, missing the same attempts Jaekle took.

Kohorst is also trying to unseat another senior, Brendon Lamers, in the punting department, though Lamers looked strong on Saturday and had a good overall showing in Ely.