Hayward to get call at QB

Surf's up.

Looking for a way to ignite his lethargic team, UNLV coach Jeff Horton has decided to start redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Hayward in Saturday's nonconference game at No. 14 Wisconsin.

Horton is obviously hoping Hayward, a graduate of San Clemente (Calif.) High School whose father, Carl, is an accomplished surfer who used to own surfboard shops in Huntington Beach and San Clemente, can ignite a tidal wave of emotion from a Rebels offense that seemingly has had none in its first two games.

Hayward came off the bench to complete 7 of 10 passes for 133 yards and one touchdown in last week's 52-10 loss to Air Force. That was good enough to put him atop the WAC passing efficiency ratings this week with a 214.7 ranking.

Hayward will replace fifth-year senior Kevin Crook, who completed 26 of 46 passes for 319 yards and one touchdown in his first two starts, but also threw five interceptions and fumbled three center exchanges.

"One thing I want to make clear is that the problems we've had offensively aren't all Kevin's fault," Horton said. "There's been a variety of problems by everybody ... receivers, the offensive line, running backs.

"I want to see if the switch will provide a little spark. I was encouraged by Hayward's play last week. I thought for his first time in there he was very poised and did what we wanted to do."

Hayward did not fumble or throw an interception. For a team that had a dismal minus-17 turnover ratio a year ago and is already minus-5 in that category this season, that was a big plus.

"The ball security thing was a big factor," Horton said. "It's not that Kevin won't play. We just wanted to give Chris a chance to see what he could do running the football team from the start of a game."

Horton said he had no set rotation for his two quarterbacks going into the game.

"I'll just play it by feel," he said.

"It's been a wild 48 hours," Hayward said. "We came in to watch the films (of the Air Force loss) on Sunday. Afterward, coach let me know that I was going to start this week. It was pretty good news. I was real excited. It'll be my first opportunity to go out and start in front of all those people. It's going to be great."

It will be Hayward's first start since his senior year in high school with the Tritons against Dana Hills High School.

"We won that one 63-3, so it was a good game," Hayward said with a smile.

The Rebels can only hope that Hayward can work similar magic for them.

"I came into the season ready for anything to happen," Hayward said when asked if thought he would get a chance to start this season.

"Anytime you're a backup quarterback coming into a season you've got to be ready for injuries or anything. I wished Kevin all the best. It just so happened I got an opportunity to go in there. Now I want to go in and show what I can do and make the most of it."

Horton said he decided to break the news of the switch to his quarterbacks on Sunday instead of waiting until Friday night and perhaps catching Wisconsin off guard.

"I thought it was better to say something now than maybe dropping a bomb on Friday night or something," he said. "Now he knows he's going to be the starter. I believe it's better to be prepared than all of a sudden on Friday night throw a bomb down on him."

All things considered, there couldn't have been very many tougher places in America for someone to make their first college start than at Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium.

"He's going in front of 80,000 people and a very good defense," Horton admitted. "But I think we have a good game plan organized. We told him to be himself, don't try to make too many plays, and just be smart."

Hayward doesn't seem fazed.

"When you play football you've got to live for stuff like this," he said.

REBEL NOTES:Kevin Crook admitted he was "surprised" by the starting change. "Obviously, when things go wrong, the quarterback gets the blame," he said. "Coach (Horton) has got to do what he's got to do. You just have to roll with it. ... I just want to win. I'm sick of losing. If we can get a win at Wisconsin, whether (Hayward) is doing it or I'm doing it, I'll be a happy man." ... No one is more pumped up for the game for UNLV than assistant coach Chris White, who coaches Rebel special teams and linebackers. White's older brother, Brian, a former UNLV assistant for Horton, is Wisconsin's running backs coach. "It's going to be a special day, not only for me but for our whole family," Chris White said. "We've dreamed about this since we both got into coaching ... going head to head."... Horton said his staff is devising more ways to get the ball to redshirt freshman Duane James, who has been dazzling on kickoff returns for the Rebels this season. James, a former prep quarterback at Mira Mesa High in San Diego, is second in the WAC and 20th nationally with a 27-yard average on kick returns. He's narrowly missed breaking several for touchdowns. James, an explosive player, could give UNLV's struggling running game a much-needed boost if he gets some carries at tailback. ... Starting strong safety Randy Black sat our practice Tuesday with a back injury and is listed as questionable for Saturday. If he can't go, sophomore Kawika Batoon will start with senior corner Mark Hays also possibly seeing time there.

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