UNLV defense comes out hitting in spring scrimmage

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Saturday, March 27, 2010 | 2:07 a.m.

A college football team's defense progressing ahead of its offense in the early stages of spring practice is common.

So when the UNLV defense made several stops Friday during the first scrimmage of spring practice, it shouldn't have come as a surprise.

Then again, it was the Rebels' defense — a unit that took more than its share of lumps last year.

UNLV ranked No. 103 out of 120 Division I schools in points surrendered at 32.42 per game. The rush defense ranked No. 112, giving up 220.58 yards per contest.

That was far from the case Friday. The scrimmage was hard-hitting and physical, with much of the aggression started by the defense.

"Frankly, at this part of the spring, (the defense) should be a little bit ahead," UNLV coach Bobby Hauck said.

Senior Quinton Porter, a regular most of the last two seasons in the Rebel secondary, said the defensive unit is making strides. However, it is still a work in progress.

"I would give us a 'C' right now. We are pretty average," Pointer said. "We have a long ways to go. We have to continue working hard."

Hauck was hired in December to overhaul the program. Defensively, he has installed a 4-3 formation — four defensive linemen and three linebackers — and stressed being accountable on every play.

Often during Friday's scrimmage, defenders would swarm to the ball and gang-tackle the opposition.

Pointer had one of two fumble recoveries when he scooped up the ball fumbled by quarterback Omar Clayton. Defensive end Beau Brence had one of what would have been four sacks — quarterbacks couldn't be tackled — and linebacker Nate Carter had two tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Defensive coordinator Kraig Paulson started at square one this spring. First, it was making sure the players knew their assignments, such as where to line up.

That might seem too basic for college football, but Pointer said failing to do the little things ultimately plagued the defense last year.

"It seemed like we always had one guy not doing his job," Pointer said. "Nine or 10 of us would do our job, but it needed to be everyone. Now we are much more aware of the defense and what they are calling. Everyone knows where they need to be."

The Rebels will be off for spring break until April 9, which will be their ninth session of the 15-practice spring. The spring game is at noon April 17 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Scrimmage highlights

Sophomore wide receiver Trey Mays from Bishop Gorman High had a pair of touchdowns, scoring the first points on a 43-yard strike from Mike Clausen. He caught a 25-yard touchdown from redshirt freshman Caleb Herring toward the end of the scrimmage.

Herring also threw an 8-yard touchdown to redshirt freshman Bradley Randle, who bulldozed over defensive back Charles Childers to reach the end zone.

Junior Michael Johnson had arguably the most impressive touchdown of the day, outracing a pair of defenders to the end zone after catching a pass from Clausen. Johnson high-stepped into the end zone in one of several displays of emotion on the day.

Kickers Ben Jaekle, a senior, and redshirt freshman Allen Hardison each made one field goal. Hardison, however, also missed two attempts. Jaekle had an attempt blocked.

No official stats were kept.

Pre-scrimmage visit

UNLV President Neal Smatresk talked to players before the start of Friday's practice. James Dean Leavitt and Kevin Page, members of the Board of Regents, also addressed the team.

Smatresk has been a big supporter of the university's athletic programs since being hired in the fall.

He was often at the Thomas & Mack Center for home basketball games and traveled with the team to Oklahoma City last week for the NCAA Tournament — cheering from the crowd with his face painted red.

Injuries

Junior wide receiver Phillip Payne was held out of the scrimmage with an undisclosed injury. He participated in pre-scrimmage workouts only, wearing a blue jersey for injured players.

Also, redshirt freshman defensive back Courtney Bridget rolled his right ankle midway through the scrimmage. He didn't return.

Neither injury appears to be serious.