UNLV Rebels Camp Report, Aug. 17

ELY – Bobby Hauck on Thursday got to do what he most enjoys, and that is actually coach.

As UNLV’s head coach, he oversees the entire process and lets his assistants handle most of the details. But he’s also the special teams coordinator, and Hauck was able to instruct, yell and encourage as he became hands-on during a special teams session.

Lindy’s rates the Rebels’ special teams best in the Mountain West Conference.

"There’s always room for improvement and we’re always trying to get better, but we’re confident going into the season," junior kicker Nolan Kohorst said. "We expect to be in the top of the conference if not in the top of the country."

Kohorst finished last season strong to make 9 of 14 field goals and all 24 extra points. Senior Chase Lansford averaged 41.2 yards per punt.

The biggest boost is the return of sophomore Marcus Sullivan, who was academically ineligible last season and had to redshirt. He averaged 27.9 yards per kickoff return two years ago.

Sullivan and senior Eric Johnson are the leading candidates at punt return, which needs improvement after Michael Johnson averaged 4.7 yards in his final season.

"We have high hopes we’re going to be pretty good in the kicking game," Hauck said. "You’ve got to go do it. The special teams is interesting because every year you’re playing young guys. Even when you’re a veteran team, you’ve got a lot of young guys in action."

One of the wrinkles this season is the rule change involving kickoffs. Now kicks will move up five yards to the 35-yard line, and touchbacks will result in the ball being spotted at the 25 instead of the 20.

Hauck said he doesn’t see the changes greatly affecting his team, and given Sullivan’s ability to create big plays, he won’t necessarily stay in the end zone if the ball is kicked there.

"Like a lot of the coaches around the country said when we were discussing this, college kickers (from the) 30, 35, a lot of them can’t get it in the end zone anyway," Hauck said.

NOTABLE

UNLV has taken a lot of batting practice during training camp, and that seemed especially true Thursday with defensive linemen repeatedly batting down passes. Hauck believes in recruiting tall linemen, and the Rebels have four players at least 6 feet 4 inches on the two-deep across their defensive front. "It’s a big play in the game," Hauck said. "I think it’s an under-emphasized point." … Hauck said the game plan for the Aug. 30 season opener against Minnesota at Sam Boyd Stadium will begin to be implemented midway through next week. … Sophomore safety Tajh Hasson intercepted two passes, returning one 40 yards for a touchdown. …. Redshirt freshman tight end Jake Phillips made a tough one-handed catch and stayed inbounds for a 17-yard pickup.