UNLV’s Hauck mum on status of benched receiver Payne
UNLV football coach Bobby Hauck called the situation regarding suspended wide receiver Phillip Payne "fluid" and gave no indication Monday about when and how it might be resolved.
Payne was suspended last week for posting Twitter messages that were critical of the coaching staff, and whether Hauck announces any further discipline is uncertain.
He could sit Payne in Saturday’s 11 a.m. PDT game at Colorado State (1-5, 0-2 Mountain West Conference) and possibly beyond without ever addressing whether the junior’s suspension remains in effect.
Payne isn’t on the depth chart for the game against the Rams, though that doesn’t mean he won’t play.
"I’m not going to discipline guys in the press," Hauck said.
Hauck is making Payne unavailable for media interviews "probably … for the foreseeable future."
Still, enough of a statement probably was made when Hauck refused to let Payne travel for Saturday’s 49-10 loss at West Virginia.
The Rebels (1-5, 1-1) were 27½-point underdogs, so they would’ve had a difficult time being competitive even with Payne. Without him, though, they had almost no chance.
"We’re going to do things right here," Hauck said. "That’s who we are. We’re principled people."
Freshman Marcus Sullivan or senior Tate Knutson would start in Payne’s spot Saturday, according to the depth chart. Freshman Kurt Davis is listed as the other starting receiver. He got his first start at West Virginia but didn’t catch a pass.
Another freshman, Tim Cornett, is listed as the starting running back. In his first start, against the Mountaineers, he produced one of UNLV’s few encouraging performances by rushing for 56 yards on 12 carries and catching a 6-yard touchdown pass.
"Tim’s worked hard," Hauck said. "He’s earned it. He’s been very productive when he’s had the ball in his hands. Part of his development is learning the whole offense. It’s not the simplest scheme, and he needs to continue that, which he will. He’s pretty focused and attentive to the detail of it."
UNLV’s weekly injury report comes out today, and Hauck said he wasn’t sure it would be as extensive as last week’s list of 25 names.
"It can’t be much longer because then there wouldn’t be anybody left," Hauck said jokingly. "I asked our trainer (Kyle Wilson) this morning if there’s anybody on the team that wasn’t on the injury list. It’s a little bleak right now, but I think last week was maybe the low point in terms of injury.
"We got a couple of guys banged up on Saturday, but I think numerous guys will be on the upswing this week."
■ NOTES — UNLV is seeking its second consecutive victory over Colorado State. The Rebels last won back-to-back games in the series in 1982. … Four of UNLV’s first six opponents are ranked — No. 11 Utah, No. 18 Wisconsin, No. 19 UNR and No. 25 West Virginia. Two ranked opponents remain: No. 4 Texas Christian on Oct. 30 and No. 23 Air Force on Nov. 18.
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.
