UNLV defense eyes redemption: Toughness, attitude key to overcoming late-season struggles

The UNLV football team was “tough enough” on defense for most of the 2023 season.

But a 9-2 record was quickly spoiled by three consecutive losses: to San Jose State in the regular-season finale; Boise State in the Mountain West Championship; and Kansas in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

The Rebels had no issue scoring in those losses, averaging 29 points in the three-game stretch, but their opponents averaged 43 points.

Going into a new season with high expectations, “attitude” is a major focal point for his unit, UNLV defensive coordinator Mike Scherer said.

“I think toughness is an attitude,” Scherer said. “I think caring about the people around you is an attitude. I think your desire to learn football, what you’re supposed to do and to get better, not only for yourself but for the people around you, is your attitude.”

Scherer said UNLV’s offensive unit has played a big role in summer camp helping the defense. UNLV’s rushing game was one of the best in the nation last season, averaging 173.5 yards per game and the nation’s second-best 39 touchdowns on the ground.

Scherer said he believed the defense has benefited from facing a high-powered offense, powered by running back Jai’Den Thomas, every day in practice.

“The offense helps us out a lot because they’re so hard to defend every day, and there’s something new you haven’t seen before that you have to get used to,” Scherer said. “We have to make checks, learn and do new things. That’s helping us grow our defense.”

Coach Barry Odom, who was defensive coordinator at Arkansas before coming to UNLV, has brought a handful of former Razorbacks to Las Vegas since he took the job in 2022 to help shape the program. That includes Scherer, who was the Arkansas linebackers coach.

Specifically at linebacker, the Rebels have some depth that looks to be a strength in the upcoming season.

Jackson Woodard, who’s in his second year with UNLV after transferring from Arkansas, is the Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. He ranked 22nd nationally with 116 tackles last season.

While there are a lot of outside eyes on Woodard, Scherer says he’s not a player who worries about “that kind of stuff.”

“I think he’s got a lot to prove to himself and he knows every day that everyone in that room and everyone on defense is looking at him,” Scherer said. “They’re gonna act how he acts.”

Woodard and other veterans on the UNLV defense have taken on critical leadership roles that are leaving an impression on younger players, Scherer said.

“They try to keep guys positive when they’re in the wrong and just let them know where they went wrong and how they could fix it,” said Mani Powell, a junior linebacker in his first UNLV season after transferring from Arkansas. “As far as Woody (Woodard), specifically, he shows us how to do it first. Once we either make our mistake or do what he’s done, he will either correct us or let us know how we can do it even better.”

Like Woodard, Powell is expected to have a big impact. He didn’t log too much playing time last season with the Razorbacks, appearing in 10 games and finishing with five tackles.

When it comes to playing time with UNLV, Powell has been told to be ready for his opportunity.

“That’s all I’ve been prepared to do, is just be ready to play when my name is called,” Powell said. “I’m just being prepared for the opportunity that I have, so I can take advantage of every moment.”

There’s a belief that UNLV’s defense can be better this season, but the group knows it needs to put in the work to get there.

“Fierce, relentless, and we’ve got a lot of edge to us in a lot of different positions,” Powell said. “We’ve just been working on being more disciplined together as a unit.”

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