Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Rebels Football:

Take 5: What to watch for in UNLV’s 2015 opener at Northern Illinois

UNLV Scrimmages at Nellis AFB

L.E. Baskow

UNLV head coach Tony Sanchez has some words of encouragement and advice for his team following a scrimmage at Nellis AFB on Saturday, August 15, 2015.

UNLV’s New Era has arrived and it kicks off at 4:34 p.m. Las Vegas time Saturday at Northern Illinois on CBS Sports Network. First-year coach Tony Sanchez begins his tenure as a 23-point underdog, bigger odds even than last year’s season opener at Arizona, which UNLV lost by 45 as 21-point underdogs.

As a high school coach making the transition to Division I, the odds are already stacked against Sanchez, so a couple extra points wouldn’t bother him anyway. As UNLV prepares to begin the 2015 campaign, here are five things to keep your eye on:

1. UNLV’s Offensive Line

This unit was as big of an issue as any other for the Rebels last season, something that contributed directly to UNLV’s last-place rushing offense in the league and Blake Decker’s myriad injuries and interceptions. It’s a place Sanchez has pointed to since taking over the job as in need of big improvement, and this is the first chance to see if change has occurred.

Click to enlarge photo

UNLV football player Kyle Saxelid (76) blocks out defenders during the Spring Showcase, the last official gathering for the Rebels and coach Tony Sanchez before August on Saturday, April 18, 2015.

The Rebels have four players on the roster with significant starting experience on the offensive line, but only two of them — left tackle Kyle Saxelid and left guard Eric Noone — are currently listed as starters. The other two are seniors Ron Scoggins, a backup at left guard, and Nick Gstrein, who isn’t on the two-deep after missing parts of spring and summer workouts.

Decision-making derailed a lot of UNLV’s opportunities last season, though defensive pressure played a large role in that. An improved offensive line is that unit’s best chance at putting a dismal 2014 performance behind them.

2. Fast as a Hare

Senior safety Peni Vea said at Tuesday’s press conference that the defense was focused first on stopping Northern Illinois’ rushing attack, which last year galloped for 331 yards at Sam Boyd Stadium. A big part of that plan has to center on NIU junior quarterback Drew Hare, who was the team’s second-leading rusher last year and is a threat to tuck it and run on any play.

Hare has weapons like 6-foot-4 receiver Juwan Brescacin on the outside, but it’s what he can do with his feet that make him such a threat. The Rebels’ defense is going to have its hands full and how well they contain Hare on the ground will go a long way in determining their overall success.

3. Youth Movement

There are nine true freshmen listed as backups on UNLV’s depth chart. A year ago entering the first game there were none.

That’s a common trend with a coaching change as the new regime looks to give its guys the chance to get experience and build a foundation. In UNLV’s case it also makes sense because Sanchez’s first recruiting class, on paper, seems to be one of the best in recent memory.

Running backs Lexington Thomas and Xzaviar Campbell both seem capable of getting carries right away, and Thomas is also one of the kick returners. Defensively, Darius Mouton will see time as the nickelback and could also get into the regular rotation at cornerback.

The Rebel Room

The New Era kicks off

Las Vegas sports editor Ray Brewer can't decide whether UNLV is more likely to go 0-12 or 6-6, while sports writers Taylor Bern and Case Keefer debate the Rebels' chances to cover the spread against Northern Illinois and the rest of their early schedule.

Even more than which guys get playing time this weekend, it will be interesting to see how many of these freshmen start down the road this season.

4. Sanchez’s Demeanor

UNLV’s newest coach showed plenty of fire while patrolling the sidelines at Bishop Gorman High. Will that change at UNLV?

His first impression as a Division I coach is going to be a lasting one for many people. What they will likely see is a lot of energy, a lot of yelling and probably more than a handful of curses.

Of the many things Sanchez has had to learn throughout his transition to this level, how to act on the sidelines is one of the easiest because there shouldn’t be a ton of differences. Still, it’s always intriguing to see what changes or stays the same.

5. Any Big Surprises?

Flea-flicker on the first play? All-out blitzes every other down? No punts, no matter the field position?

There will obviously be some surprises and unexpected plays or personnel decisions. With so much new and unknown, how could there not be?

The only question is whether it’s something radical or not.

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