UNLV defense ‘making people earn what they get’
Just by themselves, the numbers aren’t anything to brag about.
When talking about UNLV’s defense, however, the statistics can’t be judged in a vacuum. Context is crucial.
This is a defense that has gone from can’t-stop-anyone downright awful to one that isn’t an impenetrable wall but isn’t near the sieve it was last football season.
UNLV has allowed 34.3 points per game, tied for ninth in the Mountain West. The Rebels have given up a 482.7-yard average, which is last.
Last season, they allowed averages of 38.5 points and 513.5 yards.
And if measured against last season’s nonconference schedule, the improvement is even more pronounced. UNLV allowed averages of 41.4 points and 571.2 yards in its five nonconference games in 2014. Take away Football Championship Subdivision opponent Northern Colorado, and the numbers were 48.8 points and 632.3 yards.
“We’re not giving up chunks,” coach Tony Sanchez said. “We’re making people earn what they get.”
Now as UNLV (0-3) prepares to face another FCS opponent when Idaho State (1-2) visits Sam Boyd Stadium at 6 p.m. Saturday, the Rebels will try to build on their defensive promise and add consistency to the effort.
— In the Sept. 5 season opener at Northern Illinois, UNLV made two fourth-down stops in the first quarter and kept the Huskies from reaching the end zone until 1:38 remained in the first half. That helped the Rebels build a 17-3 lead, but the depth-thin defense tired in the third quarter, and Northern Illinois rallied for a 38-30 victory.
— UNLV gave up 10 points on the first two drives on Sept. 12 against UCLA, but then shut out the Bruins’ offense the rest of the half. The Rebels would have gone into halftime down just 10-0 if not for an ill-advised pass that turned into a interception return for a touchdown. UCLA took control with 17 points in the third quarter to hand UNLV a 37-3 defeat.
— In Saturday’s 28-7 loss at Michigan, the Rebels allowed 21 points in the first 30 minutes, but just one second-half touchdown to play evenly with the Wolverines.
Two areas have particularly stood out.
The defensive line, a major concern coming out of spring, has been physical. That potential became evident in August when the defensive line began making more plays.
“During training camp, we had a bunch of drills, one on one with the offensive linemen,” defensive end Sonny Sanitoa said. “You can just tell by looking at some of the guys next to you there are some physical guys that have potential to do great things.”
UNLV’s biggest surprise, though, has been the play of its secondary. The defensive backs struggled at Northern Illinois, giving up 360 yards passing, but then dropped that number to 253 for UCLA and 123 for Michigan.
Strong secondary play wasn’t expected from a unit that needed to replace three starters and had Sanchez especially concerned in preseason about the cornerbacks.
The secondary has received help because the Rebels had to regularly go to a 4-2-5 defense, rather than their base 4-3, to defend opposing passing games. UNLV even started the first two games in that alignment, with freshman Darius Mouton handling nickelback.
By going to the 4-2-5, that has taken junior linebacker Tau Lotulelei off the field for large amounts of time. He led UNLV with 100 tackles, including 10½ for loss, in 2014. With outside linebacker Matt Lea out with a knee injury, Lotulelei takes his place and will be on the field in both defensive sets.
“He got beat out the first couple of weeks, and that’s why he wasn’t out there on the field,” Sanchez said of Lotulelei. “He’s continuing to get better, but with Lea out this game, he’ll be in there quite a bit more. He’s a really talented guy. He’s just got to work every single day. We’ve got full faith in him. He’s still a young guy, and he’s getting better.”
* NOTE — Former UNLV player personnel director Jimmy Morimoto has taken the same position at Mountain West rival Fresno State. Morimoto had been with UNLV since 2007, but was let go before the season.
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65
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