UNLV Spring Game Notes:
First and foremost, it was a near perfect day at the Peter Johann soccer field. There was a solid fan turnout (around 3,000 according to reports) and the temperatures were 75 degrees with sunny skies and a light breeze.
1st-string Offense:
QB-Armani Rogers followed by Johnny Stanton and Kurt Palandech
RB-Charles Williams but Lexington Thomas also got plenty of reps.
TE-Tim Holt but Trevor Kanteman also got some reps.
WR-Brandon Presley, Kendal Keys (missed last season with a knee injury and only played a couple snaps) and Mekhi Stevenson. Star WR Devonte Boyd was out rehabbing an arm injury but has taken part in a lot of practices this spring.
OL (from left to right)-Kyle Saxfield, Jaron Caldwell, Zack Singer, Justin Polu and Nathan Jacobson. Michael Chevalier also got a lot reps at guard.
Armani Rogers took nearly every single snap from the first-team unit. Physically, at 6-foot 5 and 225 pounds, he is everything you'd want in a QB. However, while Rogers finished 8 of 14 for 174 yards and 2 TD's, most of those yards came in the second half against the second string defense. The offense had trouble gaining even a single first down early on in the scrimmage. This should raise some eyebrows considering the defense only returns 4 starters from a year ago (offense returns 9).
Obviously one of Rogers' strengths is his legs, but it was tough gauging how good he can be in the QB run game because he wasn't live. I just need to see more consistency out of him. Johnny Stanton and Kurt Palandech split the 2nd-team reps and I'd say Stanton's arm strength will be the ultimate deciding factor there in who gets the backup spot.
I do expect big things from the running back position this year as they return Charles Williams and Lexington Thomas who combined for 1,405 rushing yards (5.3 ypc) a year ago. Williams is the every down back with a "patient" running style while Thomas is the home-run hitter. The Rebels also return Xzaviar Campbell (702 career rush yards) and Junior Evan Owens (6-1 215) had an impressive 58-yard TD run in the spring game.
Once wide receivers Devonte Boyd and Kendal Keys fully return from injury, I think the receiving unit will be the most improved on the entire team and should be one of the best, if not the best in the Mountain West. Remember the Rebs were down to just a couple of scholarship receivers at the end of last year and were playing with walk-ons and converted DB's and QB's. Sophomore Brandon Pressley looks like a rising star and both Tim Holt and Trevor Kanteman are serviceable at TE. Allan Cui (5-5 175 Junior) and Elijah Trosclair (6-3 200 Sophomore) both caught touchdown passes.
I didn't get a great feel for the offensive line unit like I could if I was watching it on T.V. I can tell you that fifth-year senior left tackle #76 Kyle Saxelid's height (6-7) was certainly noticeable (also looks like he added 20 pounds) and he is clearly the leader of the group. Both sophomore guards are also massive in #75 Jaron Caldwell (6-4 325) and #78 Justin Polu (6-4 325). I got the pleasure of sitting next to starting right tackle Nathan Jacobson's father in the first half.
I do have a concern at the center position though. Sid Acosta was expected to replace Will Kreitler (their best OL the last two years) but Acosta went down this spring with a knee injury. Acosta is scheduled to have surgery and could be back in time for the fall. Zack Singer slid over from guard but several of his snaps were low and to the left in the spring scrimmage.
1st String Defense:
DL-Jason Fao, Nick Dehdashtian, Mike Hughes and Mark Finau
LB-Brian Keyes, Gabe McCoy and Bailey Laolagi. Jason Rominger also got some snaps.
DB-Jericho Flowers, Tim Hough, Javin White and Dalton Baker. Darius Mouton got a lot of reps and they kept Robert Jackson out of the scrimmage.
I thought the defensive front 7 looked good early on and they got consistent penetration on the OL. I came away impressed with linebackers #5 Brian Keyes (6-1 250 Senior) and #25 Gabe McCoy (6-2 215 Sophomore). They both moved sideline-to-sideline very well. Defensive tackle #95 Jason Fao (6-0 310 Senior) was a disruptor on the DL. In the secondary, cornerback #7 Jericho Flowers (5-10 175 Sophomore) was the most impressive performer (had a big hit and forced fumble) and Safety #16 Javin White (6-2 195 Sophomore) looks like he has a bright future once he fills out.
The second string defense struggled (hence all the offense in the second half) but that is to be expected considering the lack of depth and also with the unit being relatively inexperienced to begin with.
Special Teams:
Kicker/Punter #30 Evan Pantels (5-10 190 Junior) has a really solid leg and it showed last year (13 of 14 FG's and 42 of 42 on PAT's). In the spring game, he took a short drop on his FG attempts and the ball just exploded off contact getting great height very quickly. I have no concern whatsoever about his FG's getting blocked at the line of scrimmage. Most of his attempts were from 40 yards and in, but he would've made several kicks from 45-plus yards (was also kicking into a slight breeze). Honestly, he had one of the best, if not the best performance of the entire game. I have to admit it was cool seeing 5-foot 4 155-pound Sophomore #27 Dorian Naiditch out there.
Early Actionable Advice: Overall, I thought UNLV underachieved a bit last year as they were favored in 6 games and only managed 4 wins (I was expecting 5 wins). Injuries at WR and inconsistency at QB really hurt their progress in the second-year under Tony Sanchez. As far as this season goes, I was expecting to get involved on a lot of OVERS in UNLV games. Last year they averaged 31.6 ppg on offense (first time they averaged more than 30 ppg since 1993!) and this year return 9 starters. They bring back a solid 1-2 punch at RB in Charles Williams and Lexington Thomas, should be much healthier at WR, return 4 starters on the OL and possibly have a dynamic and future star at QB in Armani Rogers. On the other side of the ball, the defense loses its top 4 tacklers from a unit that allowed 36.8 ppg a year ago but do return Mike Hughes on the defensive line and have had a couple of standout performers this spring (DL Jason Fao, LB Gabe McCoy and CB Jericho Flowers).
However, after watching the spring game I'm going to be in more of a wait-and-see mode with the whole "Dead Nut OVER" thought process. The talent is certainly there offensively and I think they can be a big-play offense. However, I didn't see great consistency from QB Rogers, which I guess is to be expected from a young QB. On the other side, I actually came away a little impressed with the Rebels' defense. They look much bigger up front than a year ago and could actually be improved this season despite the inexperience.
In Vegas you can already bet on UNLV's Week 1 game against FCS Howard. The Golden Nugget has the Rebels favored by a whopping 36.5-points and I have to applaud Tony Miller and crew for that line as it's pretty solid from both a power ratings and handicapping aspect. Keep in mind, head coach Tony Sanchez is certainly not afraid to pour it on if given the opportunity. UNLV was a 40-point favorite hosting Jackson St in last year's opener and the Rebels won 63-13. UNLV was also a 14-point favorite vs FCS Idaho St in 2015 and won 80-8! Howard was a very bad FCS team last year (2-9) but do have a new head coach in Mike London (former Virginia head coach). Howard got beat by a combined 104-27 to Rutgers and Maryland a year ago and the Bison were 43-point and 50-point dogs in those two games. Overall, I think 36.5-point spread looks about right.