Rebels could not track Kaepernick

UNLV coach Mike Sanford said he and his staff constantly make adjustments during games and at halftime, even if the average football fan doesn't realize it.

And even if it didn't look like it Saturday night in the Rebels' 49-27 loss to UNR at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Wolf Pack quarterback Colin Kaepernick rushed for 240 yards and passed for 176 while having a hand in five touchdowns.

"Sometimes when it doesn't appear we've made an adjustment is because sometimes there's a physical and a mental breakdown that looks the same as before we made the adjustment," Sanford said Monday. "So, yes, we are making adjustments all the time."

Sanford said a player was assigned to cover Kaepernick, who runs the triple option, and another was assigned to the pitch man on each play. The Rebels spent the game putting different players on Kaepernick in an effort to at least slow him down.

Even when defenders had chances to make plays, they often didn't. Sanford said UNLV had 24 missed tackles.

"The No. 1 thing is we didn't tackle," he said.

On the other side, UNLV responded poorly to UNR's pressure on quarterback Omar Clayton. After bolting to a 17-7 lead, the Rebels were outscored 42-10 as their offense essentially shut down.

Sanford credited UNR's defensive ends for making the difference, while noting UNLV offensive right tackle Evan Marchal was at less than full strength because of a sprained ankle that kept him out the previous week.

"Even though I think he showed tremendous toughness and courage to play like that, it was difficult," Sanford said. "And that's not an excuse. The good news is he came out of the game without re-injuring the ankle."

• STARRING IN A LOSS -- Rebels linebacker Jason Beauchamp had 21 tackles against UNR and was so impressive, he was named Mountain West defensive player of the week even despite the loss.

Beauchamp missed Quincy Sanders' school record by one tackle, set in 1999 against Air Force. Beauchamp also had 21/2 tackles for loss, including a sack, and a fumble recovery.

• SUMMERS READY -- UNLV tailback Frank Summers played with a bruised knee Saturday, rushing just nine times for 20 yards.

"I think he was a little bit banged up, but not to the point where we didn't want to use him," Sanford said. "I think a lot of that was what they were doing defensively. I think he is better, and I think he will be better as the week goes on."

• COMMITMENT -- The Rebels gained a commitment from wide receiver Mark Barefield (6 feet 2 inches, 180 pounds) of North Mesquite (Texas) High School. He has seven receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown through three games, and has returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.