Taumua giving it his all

Whether it's bolting up the middle to force the quarterback to hurry his pass or trying a second or even third time to get to the tailback to force a fumble, UNLV defensive tackle Malo Taumua is hard to miss at Rebel Park.

He practices as if the Rebels are in the middle of football season, his emotion, drive and play-making skills combining for an outstanding spring.

So Taumua doesn't need more motivation. He doesn't need another reason to blow right by a guard or center.

But the offense was in a giving mood on Wednesday, some players walking up to the line of scrimmage and talking about killing the defense. Taumua, having none of that, stuffed a shovel pass to tailback Channing Trotter in the backfield, and immediately yelled that the defense would not be stopped.

"He's got a big heart and he plays hard," fellow defensive tackle Jacob Hales said. "I always tell people, if you know what you're supposed to do and you go 100 percent trying to do what you're supposed to do, good things will always happen for you.

"That's just the way Malo plays, with all his heart every play."

Taumua is listed as a sophomore, but he is more like a junior. After playing the first three games of the 2006 season, he injured a knee and later received a medical redshirt from the NCAA.

That extra year gives the Rebels an advantage because they not only get Taumua for another season, but the extra seasoning now seems to be paying off.

"When I got hurt, it was devastating," Taumua said. "I was really hurt, but I figured, 'I'm going to take my redshirt and come back next season with a bang.' "

He did just that last season, starting 11 games and making 51/2 tackles for losses, including three sacks. Such production showed coaches this was a player who could produce for many more seasons.

That season also raised Taumua's profile in his own mind. When he returned home to Honolulu after the season, he didn't follow the usual routine of taking in the relaxing island life. Taumua, encouraged by the positive words of his friends and family about his season, instead worked hard.

"I have a reputation of going over and gaining too much weight," said Taumua, who is 6 feet, 275 pounds. "I figured there weren't too many seniors returning and a lot of people leaving, so I had to step up and be a leader since I started last season."

The conditioning paid off this spring. Taumua also has worked on technique changes made by first-year defensive line coach Andre Patterson.

"Watching him on tape, I thought he played hard," Patterson said. "He had a real good motor. I just had to find a way to get his quickness, his speed to show up more in the game."

Taumua's progress is noticeable.

He earned the black jersey once this spring for being the top player at a practice, and he leads the team with four other nominations.

Taumua has been a key part of a defensive line unit that has produced emotion and big plays all spring.

"He's faster, quicker, plays with a lot more confidence, a lot more emotion," coach Mike Sanford said.

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