Hawaii game provides Rebels a chance for a win

A general consensus has formed that UNLV has made strides on the football field this season, putting in a consistent and quality effort despite not having the manpower of many of its opponents.

Coming close is an indication the program is on the right path under first-year coach Tony Sanchez.

But at some point the Rebels need to begin winning games.

That's what makes Saturday's 3 p.m. kickoff against Hawaii at Sam Boyd Stadium particularly important, because this is a game the Rebels — who are favored by 9½ points — need to win to validate the good that has occurred this season.

"It is important," Sanchez said. "I think we've got to look at where we're at right now. We're not in a bad place. When you look back at the past and what we've been able to do, we're competing at a level week in and week out that we haven't done. There is improvement there. That's not the improvement that we're all looking for, but that's growth.

"Unfortunately, (the improvement) hasn't resulted in that win column, but there are four more chances. We're at 100 percent of the victories where we were at last year and 100 percent of where we've been eight of the last 11 years. If we go out and we get a victory, we're 50 percent better than we've been eight of the last 11 years."

That two-victory bar has been incredibly challenging for the Rebels, which is why they are on another new coach trying to turn around the program.

"We definitely want to finish strong," UNLV safety Peni Vea said. "Coach Sanchez, I remember when he first came in, he told us when we were all sitting in here (the auditorium) he wants to win, and he wants to win immediately. One of the things I like I've heard him say is he's not a patient guy."

UNLV (2-6, 1-3 Mountain West) was in this position recently as a solid favorite and failed to deliver. The Rebels were 5½-point favorites on Oct. 16 at Fresno State, but blew a two-touchdown lead in the second half and lost 31-28. Fresno State lost its two subsequent games by a combined 42 points.

The Rebels, though, didn't have quarterback Blake Decker that night because he was out with a dislocated nonthrowing shoulder. And UNLV might not have him against Hawaii (2-7, 0-5) because of an injury to the other shoulder.

Indications are, however, Decker will play. He was cleared and returned to practice Wednesday. The questions are, how much pain can Decker withstand and how effective will he be if he plays?

With or without him, expect the Rebels to run the ball right at the Rainbow Warriors, who give up 258.4 yards rushing per game. If UNLV, which averages 199.4 yards rushing, can establish a strong ground game, that will help the Rebels control the clock, take pressure off Decker or backup quarterback Kurt Palandech and wear down Hawaii's defense.

"We need to be able to run the football to win the game," Sanchez said. "I think there are some things we can take advantage of. We've got to do a really good job up front, and we need some big plays, but we will run the ball more."

The Warriors have played like a tired team recently, and their typically demanding travel schedule has been even more stringent than usual. This is their sixth road game in nine weeks, a span that includes trips to Ohio State and Wisconsin.

Hawaii probably will be fired up initially because coaching changes tend to provide a jolt of energy. Coach Norm Chow was fired Sunday, and Chris Naeole is the interim coach.

Naeole didn't hesitate to make changes, including at quarterback, where Ikaika Woolsey replaces Max Wittek. Much was expected of Wittek, a Southern California transfer, but he has completed 47.9 percent of his passes and thrown 13 interceptions to seven touchdowns.

Woolsey's numbers aren't much better in his three seasons at Hawaii, but he beat UNLV last year in Honolulu, passing for 229 yards and the game-winning touchdown with no time remaining for a 37-35 victory.

That last play was painful on a number of levels for the Rebels, who believe they had a victory taken away from them because of some controversial decisions by the officials. UNLV had gone ahead with 15 seconds left.

Today is UNLV's chance to do something about it.

A victory would be important for many reasons for the Rebels. It would show those inside and outside the program that the progress made is legitimate.

"If you lose by one or you lose by 40, it's the same result," Decker said. "When it comes down to it, people look at wins and losses. That's what indicative of how you play.

"We want to show that we're better than our record, but to do that, we have to play better than our record, which I feel that we have. But we have to go out and play the way that we are, and good things are going to start happening for us."

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65