Rebels’ Hodge keeps family close at hand

ELY - She became like a member of the team, showing up on the practice field during summer conditioning as well as in the weight room and even the meeting room.

Cameron Hodge, who turns 2 on Aug. 25, is discovering what it means to be the daughter of a football player, having regularly accompanied UNLV junior cornerback Sidney Hodge to campus.

Hodge, who would read stories to his daughter in the meeting room, had the double duty of preparing for this season and taking care of Cameron while his wife, Natiyah, spent seven months in Georgia in the Army National Guard.

"It's hard at times, but you've got to keep faith," Hodge said Monday. "I'm in church every Sunday. I have some good people surrounding me. That alone has helped me out tremendously."

He had family members on Natiyah's side who also helped look after Cameron. Hodge's parents live in Texas.

UNLV teammates and trainers even pitched in when Hodge arrived to get in his offseason work.

When Natiyah returned to Las Vegas on July 27, that meant Hodge could focus more fully on football. Now that he's on his own 11-day deployment to Ely, Hodge has time only to think about practice, meetings and sleep.

He can concentrate on meeting defensive coordinator and secondary coach J.D. Williams' expectations of becoming an all-conference player.

"He's got to be a major impact for us," Williams said. "He's got to be able to shut down one half of the field."

Coaches showed how much they believe in Hodge, a Palo Verde High School graduate, by awarding him the "Battle Born Jersey," which goes to a Nevadan. The No. 36 jersey is based on Nevada becoming the nation's 36th state, with the state flag on the back.

In the three years the jersey has been given out, Hodge is the first nonsenior to receive the honor.

"I think I have to step up as a leader," Hodge said.

The Rebels also need Hodge, the only returning starter in the defensive backfield, to produce.

Opposing quarterbacks often burned the secondary, which last season gave up 249 yards passing per game and 27 touchdowns, both worst in the Mountain West Conference.

All the fault couldn't be pinned on the defensive backs. UNLV's pass rush accounted for only 14 sacks, second to last in the MWC.

But the struggles might have been a growing experience for Hodge, who had some good moments by breaking up eight passes and recovering four fumbles.

"He's always a been a physical guy for a guy who's not big in stature," coach Bobby Hauck said of the 5-foot-8-inch, 175-pound Hodge. "He's having a good camp."

Cornerback is the most mentally challenging defensive position. They are expected to forget mistakes - often long touchdown passes - and quickly move on.

Hodge has two reasons back at home to keep a positive attitude.

Natiyah joined the National Guard last October, and being on the GI Bill will help her get her education. Hodge has his football scholarship.

They see their daughter, who will wear a UNLV cheerleading outfit to games this season, and hope the sacrifices made now will mean so much in the future.

Football is a tough sport, but remains just a game compared with the demands of serving the country.

"I know she works hard to do just as much as I do," Hodge said. "Military life ain't no joke."

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