Hands off: Rebels aim to protect QB Dixon

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Travis Dixon needs to become the Bubble Boy for the next 12 days. He needs to be immediately quarantined in a plastic contraption and spend his time playing Trivial Pursuit against neurotic bald men named George.

He needs to worry about whether the Moors or the Moops invaded Spain in the eighth century more than some amped-up teammate who doesn't realize UNLV quarterbacks shouldn't be hit for fear that if the position gets any younger, those playing it will need warm bottles and a nap after practice rather than Gatorade.

Things officially became real different real fast here for the Rebels on Thursday.

Redshirt freshman Dixon was named the starter for UNLV's season opener at Utah State on Aug. 30, the result of junior quarterback Rocky Hinds' continued absence from camp while having his injured knee examined by doctors in Southern California.

A decision on the position needed to be made. Things needed to move forward. You can stall only so long when the Western Athletic Conference's worst team awaits.

Dixon will smartly be protected in today's scrimmage and until the team departs for Logan, Utah, both from serious contact and complex passing reads. Coaches entered camp with two offensive philosophies -- one if the more seasoned Hinds proved healthy enough to keep his job and another if Dixon emerged the choice.

"We're now going in the direction of specific talents of (Dixon)," coach Mike Sanford said. "As far as cutting back, no. As far as doing and emphasizing things he can do well, yes, without question."

He can run, both when designed and on broken plays. He's really elusive. Dixon is said to be vastly improved as a passer from spring practice to now, although that's relative considering how frighteningly poor some of his throws were then, unless you consider directing perfect spirals to defensive backs a good thing.

What he needs now is a little help from a big man.

Nothing aids the progression of an unproven passer better than a successful running back, which Frank Summers' resume suggests he can be at this level.

It sounds crazy, considering UNLV last season ranked eighth of nine Mountain West Conference teams and 108th nationally in rushing offense and couldn't covert on short-yardage downs to save itself. But the fastest way for Dixon to become a productive quarterback is for someone such as Summers to decrease pressure by generating large chunks of yards.

This isn't crazy: If the season begins and Dixon finds himself staring at countless third-and-longs, winning two games this year might be considered progress.

"They can put it all on my shoulders; I don't mind at all," said the junior college transfer Summers, who appears all of his listed 240 pounds. "I'm more than willing to take it on and fit to take the punishment. I'm not just a running back. I'm a football player. Run block. Pass block. Carry the ball 50 times in a game. Whatever."

Don't laugh. He almost did once while competing for Laney College in Oakland. His team was playing Modesto Junior College and Summers (appropriate nickname: Tank) carried a school-record 48 times. He sat at his locker afterward, tried lifting off his shoulder pads and couldn't. He was that exhausted.

A season before, Laney beat American River in the Capitol Shrine Bowl. There were more than nine minutes remaining when Laney took possession while leading 20-17. American River never saw the ball again, because Summers ran 14 consecutive times and the clock ran out. On three snaps during the final drive, Summers converted runs on fourth down, which might be three more than UNLV has converted in years.

"You have to run to win, and that's why I came here," Summers said. "But I have a lot of respect for Travis Dixon. He's a great athlete and has worked very hard on his arm strength."

It's not like Dixon is alone on some island with no help to survive. Summers and junior David Peeples (when healthy) have to combine for a better run game this season, if only because last year's was so awful. An offensive line with two new tackles and better depth at guard and center has to be tougher, if only because last year's version was so weak. The collection of wide receivers owns terrific promise, if only because all three starters return from a unit that impressed in 2006.

Translation: Summers might not have to carry 50 times for UNLV to beat Utah State.

Could he go for 48 again?

"Yes sir," he said. "Anything that is necessary."

Then, as he walked away, the Tank looked back with these words: "I could even carry 14 times in a row, which means we would be leading in the fourth quarter."

He really is new around here.

Ed Graney's column is published Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. He can be reached at 383-4618 or egraney@reviewjournal.com.