Line pushing Rebels forward

With all five starters back, much was expected of UNLV's offensive line this season.

But in the Rebels' first two games, first-year starting quarterback Nick Sherry faced more pressure than an undecided voter in a battleground state.

Then the line lost its best blocker entering the Sept. 14 game against Washington State, making Week 3 potentially as miserable as the first two.

Only, somehow, it wasn't.

Instead, that game became a turning point. Incoming freshman Ron Scoggins was inserted at left guard and sophomore Cameron Jefferson shifted over one spot to tackle, and UNLV's line put together its two best performances of the season.

"It's kind of crazy," senior right tackle Yusef Rodgers said. "Scoggs (is) doing a great job. I don't think we have missed a beat."

The line has helped Sherry's development entering the game at Utah State at 5 p.m. PDT Saturday. The redshirt freshman passed for 607 yards and four TDs over the past two games.

Sherry was sacked five times in the first two games and under heavy duress many other plays. He was sacked only twice two weeks ago by Washington State and was given more time to throw. He wasn't sacked by Air Force last week.

UNLV's run blocking also has been solid, with the Rebels averaging 4.2 yards per rush. They ran for 199 yards in a 38-35 victory over Air Force.

Tim Cornett is averaging 117.8 yards per game and 5.4 per carry, and Bradley Randle's averages are 42.5 and 3.5.

"The offensive line since game one did a real good job," Cornett said. "Needless to say, you can see from my stats and Bradley's stats how well they're doing."

The situation appeared dreary when sophomore left tackle Brett Boyko - the man responsible for protecting Sherry's blind side - went out with a leg injury shortly before the Washington State game.

UNLV, as it turned out, didn't need Sandra Bullock's movie son to come to the rescue, but instead the son of a former Rebels lineman from the 1980s.

Even though UNLV's coaches think highly of Scoggins Jr., to insert a nonredshirt freshman and shift a sophomore to the most critical spot was daunting.

"Scoggins is a good player," Rodgers said. "He's a big, physical, strong guy. We had faith in him. Nobody was nervous. Nobody was really concerned. We just knew we had to get him ready, and he'd be all right.

"I think the kid's got a really bright future."

Scoggins said he was ready to play right away rather than redshirt, having put in the necessary offseason work.

"I was really excited, really happy to get my chance to play and show what I'm made of," he said. "I was a little nervous, but I prepared myself well."

Boyko could return Saturday but is listed as questionable. Coach Bobby Hauck said he's hopeful Boyko will be back, but also thought he had a good chance to play last week.

No team wants to lose a standout blocker, especially at left tackle, but UNLV's line learned it can take a big hit and not only keep going but also show noticeable improvement.

"By design in practice, we give our second group (repetitions)," Hauck said. "We don't just rep our first group and let the (backups) get it mentally. That's the reason we do it, and hopefully we've covered our bases. It's worked out OK."

■ NOTE - Defensive end Sonny Sanitoa, who hurt his left knee early in training camp, is listed as out for Saturday but is back practicing. Hauck is doubtful Sanitoa will play at Utah State but didn't rule it out.

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