Tie seventh, UNLV

UNLV Rebels

08-25-2006

2005 Record: 2-9

2005 MWC record: 1-7

2006 predicted record: 4-8

Head coach: Mike Sanford, second

Last bowl appearance: 2000 Las Vegas Bowl, beat Arkansas 31-14

QUARTERBACK: UNLV coach Mike Sanford experienced life at the other end of the MWC after enjoying the ride with Utah in 2004 to the conference title and experiencing a long season at the bottom of the MWC in 2005. Shane Steichen is the returning starting quarterback after missing the second half of his junior season with an injury. He threw for 927 yards in the first five games before Jarrod Jackson took over the starting job. But sophomore Rocky Hinds, a transfer from USC, has moved ahead of Jackson on the depth chart and could still challenge Steichen for the starting job. Even with Steichen on the roster, UNLV fans are anxious to see the highly touted Hinds on the field.

RUNNING BACK: The Rebels came up big last year with a small back in senior Erick Jackson, a senior 5-6, 185-pounder. He rushed for 673 yards and six touchdowns and caught 36 passes for 370 yards and one touchdown in the Rebels’ inconsistent. When Steichen was healthy, he averaged 4.8 yards per carry. He could duplicate or improve on that average with a healthy quarterback and a more experienced offensive line returning to open holes. UNLV has a depth chart of small backs led by Nebraska transfer, Ronnie Smith. The big back is homegrown talent Torrie Coleman (6-2, 220).

RECEIVER: Three of UNLV’s leading receivers are gone due to graduation or transfers, but sophomore Casey Flair is a returning starter. He caught 32 passes for 382 yards last year and proved to be a clutch receiver. Marques Johnson was productive in the 2004 season and returns after missing 2005 with an injury. Corey Anderson and Justin Marvel gained experience as true freshmen. Marvel is coming off a shoulder injury, but that allowed true freshman Renan Saint Preux to also gain experience. The Rebels are counting on redshirt freshman Rodelin Anthony or junior college transfer Chris Butler to take over at tight end.

OFFENSIVE LINE: A year ago the Rebels were young in the offensive line, but they hope to benefit from the experience this year. Four offensive linemen are back as returning starters with tackle Chris Bowser, guard Brandon Gay, guard Mike McKiski and center Tim Goins. However, Aaron Mueller has emerged as the starter at center and Goins is proving more depth while moving to guard. Mueller was one of the players who came on strong at the end of the season as the Rebels’ linemen adjusted to Sanford’s new system. Depth is provided by Kea Toledo, Ray Lobato, Marco Guerra and John Asiata.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Nose tackle Howe Fuimaono, a 6-0, 335-pounder, was honorable mention and is the Rebels’ only returning starter. Fuimaono made run-stuffing plays all season along, including key plays in the upset win over San Diego State. There is depth behind Fuimaono with 6-3, 300-pounder Perry Eppenger, but the Rebels need their defensive ends to mature quickly. The Rebels are counting on Jacob Hales, who was a letter winner a year ago, and Jeremy Geathers, who is a junior college transfer. Other candidates are Faauo Faga, Robert Travers and Fresno State transfer Mike Roland.

LINEBACKERS: The Rebels’ only returning all-conference pick on offense or defense can be found among the linebackers with second-team choice Beau Bell. The junior led the Rebels in tackles with 92 and is back at outside linebacker along with Matt Pattison, another returning starter at middle linebacker. Pattison was enjoying a strong junior season with 54 tackles before he missed the second half of the season with a foot injury. The Rebels are counting on junior college transfers Adrian Bradley or Bradley Niles to hold down the other starting postion.

SECONDARY: Two defensive backs return with senior cornerback John Guice and senior Jay Staggs, but the most talented member of the secondary may be Eric Wright. The USC transfer, who intercepted a pass in USC’s win over Oklahoma in the national championship game in the 2004 season, will start at cornerback in the 3-3-5 alignment. Another Pac-10 transfer may hold down the other cornerback spot as Mil’Von James left UCLA to join the Rebels. The nickel back in the Rebels’ regular five-back secondary is Nick Kenion.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The kicking game should help UNLV in the rebuilding process with the return of senior punter Kip Facer and junior kicker Sergio Aguayo, who earned honorable mention. Aguayo accounted for the Rebels only MWC win when he booted two 52-yard field goals with the wind late in the fourth quarter to beat San Diego State 13-10. The game-winner was with nine seconds remaining. He led UNLV in scoring with 57 points hitting 21-of-22 exta-points and 12-of-16 field goals. UNLV also has experience at punter with the return of senior Kip Facer.