Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

UNLV football:

Only minor goals remain for Rebels, who host Air Force this weekend

UNLV-New Mexico

John Locher / AP

New Mexico running back Jhurell Pressley (6) runs in for a touchdown against UNLV defensive back Torry McTyer (19) and defensive back Matt Lea (23) during their NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

The Rebel Room

Time for UNLV Football to Move On?

Following UNLV's home loss to lowly New Mexico, Las Vegas Sun reporters Ray Brewer, Case Keefer and Taylor Bern discuss whether coach Bobby Hauck should stick around past this season.

It’s probably best UNLV coach Bobby Hauck does not run down the list of preseason goals with his team at this point of the year. The first one, the always far-fetched undefeated season, was done before September, and week-by-week the remaining carrots have vanished before the Rebels could even get a nibble.

So with four games remaining in what’s guaranteed to be another losing year, are there even any season goals left?

“That’s a good question,” Hauck said.

This week the Rebels (2-7, 1-4) stay at home to host Air Force (6-2, 2-2) at 1:06 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium. The game will stream on the Mountain West Network, powered by Campus Insiders.

Hauck said that once the season starts those goals fade into the background whether the year’s going well or not, so the focus remains on the next game. Of course, last year a winning record and a bowl trip were on the tip of everyone’s tongues by October, whether they wanted to discuss it or not.

That feels like a lot more than only a year ago for UNLV. The Rebels likely won’t be favored in any of their remaining games, meaning they’re underdogs to get over the same two-win mark that stamped each of Hauck’s first three seasons.

That’s a big step back and for the seniors it’s an unfortunate déjà vu. While last year’s group went out feeling like it helped establish a new standard, players like tight end Taylor Barnhill find themselves staring down the end without season checklist items — a winning record, competing for a conference title — to play for.

“I want to see us play hard every game,” Barnhill said of the remaining games. “… This is all we’ve got.”

It’s been worse for other seniors. Receiver Marcus Sullivan isn’t currently on the team and it’s unclear if he’ll return. Meanwhile fellow passing target Devante Davis, the team’s best overall player coming into the year, hasn’t played in six weeks because of a wrist injury.

Davis dressed for the last two games but hasn’t played a snap since a limited performance in his hometown, at Houston, on Sept. 20. Will the guy who caught two touchdowns in last year's Battle for the Fremont Cannon even be able to try to help keep it red?

“I hope he can get out there soon. He’s trying,” Hauck said, “but he’s been trying for a few weeks.”

Davis’ healthy return would be a welcome sign for UNLV. Still, it’s not like he can come back and save the day.

Junior quarterback Blake Decker is tied for the second-most interceptions thrown in the country (14) and the problems with both injuries and production go far too deep to fix at this point. Last week senior Brett Boyko, a potential pro on the offensive line, moved from left tackle to play his first career game as guard because, Hauck said, the play had not been nearly good enough at the spot.

This is already a disappointing season for the Rebels so their focus must remain on minor victories. Their first-ever three-game winning streak against Air Force didn’t make the preseason list, but now that they’re here and it’s all the Rebels have left.

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.

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