Rebels’ offensive transition won’t occur overnight
Editor's note: This is the final story in a series examining the top five questions the UNLV football team faces as it opens training camp today. Today's question: How quickly will UNLV make the transition from the spread to a two-back offense?
By MARK ANDERSON
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
UNLV will eventually complete a planned move from the spread to a two-back offense, but it won't happen this season.
"It would be crazy for us not to have some spread concepts in our offense just because we've got spread personnel," first-year coach Bobby Hauck said.
It's a different approach from that of previous coach Mike Sanford, who immediately went to the spread in 2005, dumping the more traditional offense preferred by predecessor John Robinson.
Hauck is much closer to Robinson than Sanford in offensive style, preferring to control the clock and keep his defense off the field.
Hauck brought back the fullback position and signed tailbacks Dionza Bradford (6 feet, 200 pounds) and Tim Cornett (6-0, 195), junior college tight end Anthony Vidal (6-5, 250) and three 6-7 offensive linemen. The goal is to change the offense from finesse to the in-your-face physical play Hauck employed at Montana.
But Hauck knows he has quarterbacks recruited to the spread and an offense built for that system.
"In any given week this year, we're just going to try to do whatever we can to get a win," Hauck said. "The aesthetics of it are not going to be important, nor should they ever be. We're going to have to, in any given week, scrape and claw and find different ways to win games.
"Maybe some week that's throwing the ball every down, and maybe some week that's running the ball every down."
■ NOTES -- UNLV opens camp at 8 a.m. today at Rebel Park, where the team will practice until leaving for Ely on Wednesday. Practices are open to the public. ... The Rebels' opening opponent, Wisconsin, is ranked No. 12 in the USA Today poll. The teams play Sept. 4 at Sam Boyd Stadium. Other ranked UNLV opponents include Texas Christian (No. 7) and Utah and West Virginia (tied at No. 24). ... UNLV is a 17-point underdog to Wisconsin.
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at
manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.
UNLV’S TOP FIVE QUESTIONS
1. How will the quarterback battle play out? Senior Omar Clayton has the edge entering camp but will be pushed by junior Mike Clausen and redshirt freshman Caleb Herring.
2. How will the running back battle play out? Three backs will play, and the starter could be interchangeable. Junior C.J. Cox, redshirt freshman Bradley Randle, senior Channing Trotter and freshman Tim Cornett will compete for the spot.
3. The Rebels’ defense made several changes in the spring, but will it be improved this season? Probably not substantially, but first-year coach Bobby Hauck has a defensive background, so expect eventual improvement.
4. Because of a lack of depth, how badly would injuries affect the Rebels? UNLV could pay dearly, particularly on both lines.
5. How quickly will UNLV make the transition from the spread to a two-back offense? There will be plenty of spread looks this season, but Hauck is beginning the transition.
MARK ANDERSONLAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
