Better defense key for Rebels

Editor's note: This is the third story in a series examining the top five questions the UNLV football team faces as it prepares to open training camp Saturday. Today's question: The Rebels' defense made several changes in the spring, but will it be improved this season?

Instead of waiting for its recruits to arrive, UNLV's new coaching staff moved many pieces around in the spring to upgrade a defense that helped cost previous coach Mike Sanford his job.

Changes included moving senior Calvin Randleman and junior Chris Jones from safety to linebacker, senior Mike Grant from cornerback to safety and senior linebacker Starr Fuimaono from strongside to weakside.

Players from the 2009 recruiting class who grayshirted also were given chances. Local products Nate Holloway at defensive tackle and Sidney Hodge at cornerback are listed No. 2 at each spot.

Coach Bobby Hauck's first recruiting class will usher even more change to the depth chart beginning this month.

All that might not be enough to improve a defense that was 115th last season out of 120 schools, but maybe it no longer will be as big of a liability.

"The first priority has got to be to try to improve on defense," Hauck said. "We can't be ranked 110th or whatever it is on defense and expect to be a good football team."

Hauck probably winced while reviewing videotape of last season's 63-28 loss at UNR followed a week later by a 59-21 home defeat to Brigham Young. Texas Christian and Air Force also scored more than 40 points.

This season will include games against high-powered West Virginia and Wisconsin, which is the season opener, Sept. 4 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

"When you get people out of position on defense, (offenses) exploit it," Hauck said. "If guys are in the wrong gaps or guys are in the wrong coverages, it doesn't take many plays before the game gets away from you.

"So we need to decrease our error percentage."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.