Rebels prepare for two-headed quarterback

Last week, UNLV had to prepare for a third-string quarterback, and even wound up playing against the fourth-team guy.

This week, the Rebels know they’re getting ready to face two quarterbacks, but unlike how Utah State’s two QBs were classified until recently, New Mexico’s Cole Gautsche and Lamar Jordan aren’t buried on the depth chart.

The Rebels certainly hope for a better outcome than this past Saturday’s 34-20 loss at Utah State, but they at least have more known elements this week when New Mexico visits Sam Boyd Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Gautsche and Jordan each run the triple option for the Lobos.

“The offense doesn’t change,” UNLV coach Bobby Hauck said Monday. “They’re both pretty good at it. In fact, we were just in the locker room talking about exactly that. We know Cole from the recruiting process, but we’ve seen both those kids a lot the last couple of years, and they’re both good players.”

The Lobos have used three quarterbacks this season, with senior Clayton Mitchem receiving two starts. He is the best passer of the three, but doesn’t run the triple option particularly well and is third on the depth chart.

Gautsche, a junior, is the most proficient at running the offense, but isn’t a strong thrower, and has just 26 passes. He averages 62.2 yards rushing per game on an 8.2 average per carry.

Jordan, a redshirt freshman, is somewhere in between those two players, and he has the athleticism to lift the offense when it struggles. He twice come off the bench to jump-start New Mexico’s offense, and is completing 58.5 percent of his passes for a 69.7-yard-per game average, and has rushed for 44.8 yards per game.

That will be his job against UNLV should he be called upon again. Jordan has played in every game but the season opener and is the only quarterback to throw a touchdown pass, having tossed four of them.Not that New Mexico worries much about taking to the air. The Lobos average 84.6 yards passing per game while piling up a 304.4 average on the ground.

“I don’t think … that there’s going to be dramatic change in who we are, what we are, who we play with,” New Mexico coach Bob Davie told the Albuquerque (N.M.) Journal last week. “I think both quarterbacks deserve to play.”

UNLV has experience against mobile quarterbacks, and will get tested not only this weekend but the following week against Air Force, which also runs the triple option.

“It’s definitely a plus to have seen it before from other offenses,” said defensive end Siuea Vaesau, who leads the Rebels with three sacks. “So it basically just adds on to the process of preparation.”

NOTES — Hauck said he didn’t have an update on when wide receiver Devante Davis (right wrist) will return. Davis dressed out at Utah State, but didn’t get into the game. “We were just jacking around with Utah State because they were afraid of him,” Hauck said. … Another receiver, Marcus Sullivan, is indefinitely suspended. He didn’t play against the Aggies. “That’s a conduct issue, not a health issue,” Hauck said. … Kicker Nicolai Bornand also didn’t make the trip, staying back in Las Vegas because of an undisclosed injury. Hauck didn’t have an answer on whether Bornand would return this weekend.

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