Associated Press
UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, center, walks off the field after a game against Virginia at the Rose Bowl, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. UCLA won 34-16.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2015 | 2 a.m.
The Rebel Room
Moral of the Story
The Rebels said they won't accept moral victories after a season-opening 38-30 loss at Northern Illinois, but it's OK for fans to feel OK about it. Las Vegas Sun sports editor Ray Brewer and writers Case Keefer and Taylor Bern break down UNLV's initial performance and if we're in for something similar or far more lopsided this week vs. No. 13 UCLA.
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UNLV’s 2015 season debut at Northern Illinois was a passing grade no matter how you look at it. Now the Rebels (0-1) begin their home slate against a blue blood opponent with its eyes on the College Football Playoff, so the test will only get more difficult.
No. 13 UCLA (1-0) is in town for a 7:35 p.m. kickoff Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium. The first-ever meeting between the two programs will air on CBS Sports Network.
Last weekend the Bruins trounced Virginia while the Rebels returned to Las Vegas with a close loss as heavy underdogs. The number is even bigger this weekend with UCLA at minus-30 as of Thursday evening.
UNLV’s secondary, which had a solid first half and then a disastrous second against Northern Illinois, could be in for a long night against UCLA freshman quarterback Josh Rosen. That’s the primary battle to watch, but here are some other factors and notes to consider heading into the Rebels’ home opener:
1. It’s Not Like You’d Rather Watch That Boxing Match
Sanchez said at Tuesday’s press conference that 22,000 tickets were sold for Saturday’s game. By Thursday afternoon the number was up to 25,190, and combined with walkup sales this has a chance to be the first UNLV home game to break 30,000 announced attendance since Bobby Hauck’s debut on Sept. 4, 2010, against No. 12 Wisconsin.
More than 1,000 seats were removed during the offseason to create more space around the field. Combined with other minor renovations over the years, Sam Boyd’s new listed capacity is 35,500, which is 1,300 less than it had been listed at since 1994.
Even at the reduced capacity, last year’s average attendance (15,674) would be outnumbered by empty seats. As the season goes the crowds will understandably dwindle, but it would be great to see the stadium as close to full as possible with a new coach/field/jerseys making their home debut against a great opponent.
The nickname isn’t bad, and if true freshman Josh Rosen keeps playing like he did in his debut the Bruins will let him go by any name he wants.
Rosen went 28-for-35 with 351 yards and three touchdowns, one of the best games by a true freshman quarterback in the past couple of decades. He already had plenty of eyes on him, and that doesn’t figure to change after an opening like that.
Less than a year ago Rosen was in Las Vegas facing a Sanchez-led team at Fertitta Field, where Rosen and St. John Bosco suffered a rare defeat. It was one of only two losses during Rosen’s final two seasons, and now Rosen is trying to start a new winning streak that would exact a small modicum of revenge for last year’s defeat.
3. Yeah, But It’s a Dry Heat
You can argue about how big a role Saturday’s heat will play on these teams, but it will certainly be a factor in the stands if not on the field.
UCLA will reportedly do its walk-through in the mid-afternoon Friday at Sam Boyd, when the temperatures will reach their highest point of the day. Perhaps this is to make Saturday evening’s heat feel more manageable, or maybe it’s just a coincidence, and UCLA coach Jim Mora is confident that even if some players struggle with the heat his team will be deep enough to overcome.
UNLV sent out a note Thursday to make sure fans know that this game isn’t an organized blackout for anyone except the players. And considering the forecasted high of 105 doesn’t mix well with day drinking, it’s probably best to stick with something scarlet and/or gray.
4. Jack of All Trades
Two years ago, Myles Jack stormed onto the scene as a do-everything true freshman for the Bruins who would go on to become the first player in conference history named both Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year. As a junior he’s still around and still doing a bit of everything as a starting linebacker and backup running back.
Jack notched a rushing touchdown in last week’s 34-16 victory against Virginia and for his career has nearly as many rushing touchdowns (11) as tackles for loss (15). There aren’t many iron man football players anymore and even fewer who affect games as much as Jack.
Be sure to keep an eye on No. 30 throughout the game because you never know where he might pop up and make a play.
5. Hey, Don’t I Know You?
When I first looked at last week’s Northern Illinois box score, the scoring report felt so familiar that I had to make sure it was 2015 and not last season. Because in 2014 a trend emerged: The Rebels were really good at scoring early and then giving up points right before and after halftime.
UNLV scored first nine times last season, and it often scored in the first six minutes of the game. Just as common was the Rebels giving up points in the final two minutes of the first half and the first two minutes of the second half.
All three of those things occurred together in three games last year and it happened again against NIU; Blake Decker hit Devonte Boyd for a 64-yard touchdown on UNLV’s first drive while Drew Hare tossed touchdown passes with 1:38 left in the second quarter and 13:48 left in the third quarter.
Don’t think three games in a season are enough for a trend? In last year’s NIU win Hare was 1:01 too slow for making it a fourth game with all three scores, and if you extend UNLV’s windows for giving up points to five minutes then at least two of the three things happened in 10 of 13 games.
Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.
