Lobos present opportunity that we can’t let get away

I liked the way we played, especially in the first half, against the Broncos. We played very hard and physical throughout the game. We are not about moral victories around here, but we can build on the fact that we went toe to toe with a top-five team. We also had a chance to go back, after looking at film, and correct some things we did wrong.

In evaluating the game, we let a lot of potential takeaways get away from us, whether dropping potential interceptions or not coming up with loose footballs that we knocked out of the ball-carriers’ hands. We also simply can’t have as many penalties as we did. These are all things we need to improve upon as we go forward.

Now we need to refocus, have a great effort and find a way to get a win Saturday at New Mexico in another Mountain West Conference game.

This is the Lobos’ final home game of 2011, and they have to see us as an opportunity to get their first win of the season. It’s similar to the situation a year ago when they beat Wyoming in Albuquerque late in the year, so we are aware of the circumstances and the trap that has been set.

New Mexico did some good things against San Diego State last week, but the Lobos, like us, are striving to find consistency, so it will be interesting to see how this game plays out. New Mexico is hungry for a win, and the Lobos have an enormous offensive line. Last year, we beat New Mexico by the largest margin (45-10) that any UNLV team has won a Mountain West game.

I have been asked a few times this week by the media about what has made it so difficult winning on the road. There isn’t much difference playing at home and on the road — the only difference is the airplane ride. It’s all about who we are as a football team and just simply playing well enough to win. We have little margin for error no matter where we are playing.

We’re continuing to work hard and making improvement. We knew we were not an experienced team going into the season. But if you are willing to work, you can get better every week, and that’s what is happening. At every position we are better technically, we are better as individuals at understanding the complete picture — offense, defense and special teams. That’s what happens when young guys are willing to put in the time and invest. Now, we have to keep that ball rolling in the right direction and not take a step back. Consistently playing well, week after week, is something we haven’t mastered.

Like every week, this is the biggest game in the country in our eyes because it’s the one we’re playing in. I think we’ll play well Saturday in a tough league game. We kick off live on The Mtn. at 7 p.m. PST; I hope you tune in.

Go Rebels!

UNLV football coach Bobby Hauck writes a weekly column for Rebels Report.