Rebels feel like they’ve figured out their pressure problem

By Taylor Bern

Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Dead last. That’s where UNLV’s paltry nine sacks ranked in the country last season.

Out of 128 teams in Division I, 127 managed to take down the opposing quarterback at least 10 times, with national champion Alabama leading the country at 52. Other than inconsistent quarterback play, the Rebels’ lack of a pass rush was perhaps the biggest thing holding them back from posting a record better than 3-9.

“Last year our pass rush was terrible,” said junior defensive tackle Mike Hughes Jr. “Me and Jeremiah (Valoaga), we put that on our backs to get better.”

Hughes, a Palo Verde High grad, and Valoaga, a senior defensive end who tipped the UNR pass that essentially won the Fremont Cannon last season, will be at the forefront. But just like elsewhere on the roster, the defensive line is counting on an influx of talent to help push everyone to a better performance.

Hughes thought back to coach Tony Sanchez’s first spring a year and a half ago, when there were only three scholarship defensive tackles on the roster. More guys came during the summer, but they had to learn the system and throughout the 2015 season there wasn’t much help behind the starters.

The potential transformation starts with improvement from young players who last year were thrown into the deep end. Juniors Mark Finau and Jason Fao each joined the team after a year in junior college and sophomore Salanoa-Alo Wily was a true freshman. Each of them appeared in all 12 games, combining to record 38 total tackles but no sacks.

“I feel like some of those guys are a lot more dynamic,” Sanchez said.

Then there’s the possibility of full seasons from Valoaga and junior Antonio Zepeda, the two guys who are currently listed as the starting defensive ends. Zepeda appeared in four games last season after starting his UNLV career as a tight end, while Valoaga appeared in only six games because of a fractured ankle he suffered early in the year.

“We can mix and match a lot of people (this season),” Valoaga said. “That way we have fresh legs.”

Valoaga, especially, has Sanchez excited. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, Valoaga can move and jump like a basketball player, and after missing the entire 2014 season because of academic issues, everything is lining up for a big finish to his collegiate career.

“He’s a whole different guy,” Sanchez said.

Ideally, Sanchez said, he would have five to six options at both positions along the line, and the Rebels are closing in on that. With a little more than two weeks remaining before the 2016 opener against Jackson State, Hughes said the difference between this group and the one from that first spring is staggering.

“It got so much better,” Hughes said. “We’re up to depth and up to date, we’ve got people who know the playbook and know what to do when they get out there.”

Then there’s the different things UNLV feels it can do schematically because of an improved linebacker corps. Sanchez envisions using many different fronts and bringing linebackers like LaKeith Walls and Gabe McCoy off the edge as extra pass rushers.

“We didn’t have those options last year,” he said.

Combined with new defensive line coach Tony Samuel’s emphasis on improving the Rebels’ hand work, UNLV has addressed a lot of the deficiencies that led to only nine sacks last season. Now Hughes and company have their eyes on a lot more.

“I feel like we can dominate the whole Mountain West, to be honest with you,” Hughes said. “… You’ll see.”

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