Rebels, Cougars seek identity

PULLMAN, Wash. -- The victory over Idaho State was convincing, an apparent signal of a football program beginning to turn around.

That was how it appeared for UNLV in the 2006 opener, a 54-10 victory that was seen at the time as the possible start of a transformation from longtime losers as Mike Sanford began his second season as Rebels coach.

UNLV, though, didn't win again until that season's final game.

That brief history lesson might be worth remembering, considering what was made of Washington State's 64-21 opening win last week over -- you guessed it -- Idaho State.

Many expect the Cougars -- who showed improvement at the end of last season -- to build on that win, but the reality is today's 2 p.m. game is a meeting between two struggling programs with still much to prove. The result will reveal plenty about both teams and the directions they're headed.

For UNLV (0-1), this game certainly will show a lot more about what kind of season to expect than its 51-17 loss at then-No. 11 Wisconsin on Sept. 1.

"As I've said from the beginning, I think we're a team that's going to improve through the season," coach Bobby Hauck said. "So I hope we look completely different in October than we do right now in terms of knowing the game, understanding the scheme, being more technically sound.

"I just think with a young team, every time we take the field we can learn a whole bunch, and that includes practice."

The Rebels face a Washington State team forced to go with a backup quarterback after Jeff Tuel broke his collarbone against Idaho State. Replacement Marshall Lobbestael, however, passed for 230 yards and two touchdowns, and will start today for the Cougars.

UNLV's secondary needs to prevent Washington State's wide receivers from running free in the spread offense, while at the same time establishing a pass rush that has been virtually nonexistent.

But probably every part of the defense could improve, as was underscored in the loss to Wisconsin in which they gave up 499 yards.

"We took that to heart, and it was rough because we worked real hard all fall camp tackling, running to the ball, everything," cornerback Will Chandler said. "It just didn't come together."

If UNLV took any good from its opener, it was the potential shown by its young offense. The Rebels reached the red zone five times, including three times in the first half against the Badgers' starters.

"We're capable of executing against Wisconsin, which is a good team," quarterback Caleb Herring said. "At the same time, there are things on those drives we can fix. We didn't get the points that we needed out of those drives."

Both teams have room to grow. Washington State coach Paul Wulff, who is 6-32, knows the scrutiny that would come with a loss to UNLV. The Cougars haven't had a winning season since 2003.

It's not a must-win for the Rebels, but they must at least be competitive. Hauck wants his team to do more than show up. He is searching for the spark to turn around his program, which hasn't posted a winning record since 2000.

"One of these days," he said, "we're going to get that win that we really want."

■ LEFT HOME -- Wide receivers Eric Johnson and Marcus Sullivan and safety Dre Crawford didn't make the trip. They still have not been cleared academically.

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