Mental mistakes, not injuries, crippling Rebels

To open, not a word about injuries playing a part in the outcome.

Not a thought about the final score having any connection to UNLV listing 31 football players as hurt this past week, including 14 as being out for a game at San Diego State on Saturday.

Not a breath about the absence of star wide receiver Devante Davis, who was laughably listed as questionable but who didn’t dress, left Qualcomm Stadium in a sling and by all measures probably had surgery recently.

The only questionable thing about Davis is how much time he will ultimately miss.

Not a hint that as banged up as the Rebels supposedly are, such bumps and bruises had anything to do with what occurred here.

San Diego State proved superior in every way while beating the Rebels 34-17 in a Mountain West opener for both teams before 28,005, the latest example that UNLV simply isn’t good enough in most areas right now to have a chance at defeating anyone capable.

One thing not listed on the injury report: brain cramps.

They wouldn’t have had enough space on the paper.

Injuries had nothing to do with a healthy offensive line allowing six sacks.

They had nothing to do with quarterback Blake Decker throwing an awful interception into double coverage at the goal line with UNLV driving in the second quarter and down four.

They had nothing to do with cornerback Kenneth Penny getting beat for a 45-yard completion to the UNLV 1-yard line with 19 seconds remaining in the first half, setting up a San Diego State touchdown that made the score 28-10 at intermission.

They had nothing to do with running back George Naufahu dropping a pass that was then intercepted at the San Diego State 7-yard line with UNLV driving to open the third quarter.

They had nothing to do with defensive tackle Sonny Sanitoa being called for roughing the passer on a third-and-9 from the Aztecs 21 with about 10 minutes left in a 14-point game, allowing the Aztecs to extend their drive and later kick a field goal with 5:18 remaining.

“You don’t overcome all that,” UNLV coach Bobby Hauck said. “Those are critical things in a game. Good job by them capitalizing on them. Mistakes happen in games. They just do. You try to minimize them and overcome them and rally back from them. You just have to play better and make fewer mistakes.”

UNLV seems, well, confused much of the time.

Consider: With 5:38 left in the third quarter and trailing 28-10, the Rebels chose not to go for a fourth-and-5 from the San Diego State 26 and instead attempted (and missed) a 43-yard field goal.

With 3:30 remaining and down 34-17, UNLV punted on fourth-and-4 from its 29 as if to wave the white flag, but then used two timeouts on San Diego State’s next possession.

The Rebels then went for a fourth-and-9 from its 35 with less than a minute left.

It’s as if they can’t decide whether to play to win or just stay close.

I half expected UNLV to line up in victory formation and have Decker kneel down to end the game.

But then the quarterback might have seriously injured his knee and been listed as probable for next week, and that would have been just silly.

Fact: The Rebels go by the book far too much for a team with this bad a defense.

Take some chances.

Take one.

“It’s frustrating,” Decker said. “You think you’re playing well, and then little mistakes just shoot yourself in the foot. I know it sounds like a broken story because it’s week in and week out, but I feel we’re hanging in tough.”

I’m not even sure which players are really injured, but whoever compiles the report each week might be sipping something other than water.

“The only surprise,” San Diego State coach Rocky Long said, “was when I saw an injury list of 31 guys, all of them played but one, I think.”

Ouch. Nice shot. And fairly factual.

Marcus Sullivan was listed as out with a leg injury for UNLV. The senior wide receiver played, catching three passes for 76 yards. Defensive back Mike Horsey was listed as out. He played. Others listed as questionable contributed. Five of six players listed as doubtful played.

Davis didn’t.

It’s hard to catch passes wearing a sling.

“Week to week is how I term it,” Hauck said.

Did he have surgery?

“That’s all I can say.”

Tell you what — if this team spent more time figuring out ways to block people and not throw the ball to the wrong colored jersey as it does talking around injuries and trying to conceal who might play or not, it might be in a better place than 1-4 and losers of three straight.

As it is, bring on a game at San Jose State next Saturday.

My early report, after which I will have no further comment: It’s probable that UNLV shows up, very questionable it can win and absolutely doubtful any news about injuries is true.

Las Vegas Review-Journal sports columnist Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618. He can be heard from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on “Gridlock,” ESPN 1100 and 98.9 FM. Follow him on Twitter: @edgraney.