UNLV’s Murphy seeks sack-free season

Twenty-one consecutive starts. One sack allowed last season.

Most offensive linemen gladly would take that kind of production, and UNLV junior left tackle Matt Murphy certainly won't argue against the longevity mark.

But the one sack is another matter. It was one too many.

"That wears on him," tackles/tight ends coach Gary Bernardi said. "He's frustrated and intent on being a perfectionist."

And because that one sack has had such an effect at least partially explains why Murphy has been such a top-notch blocker since arriving at UNLV two years ago.

He played all 12 games as a freshman, starting the last nine and becoming a Football Writers Association of America freshman All-American, giving up just three sacks.

Then Murphy played even better last season as the chief protector to quarterback Omar Clayton's blind side.

"I think he came here well-coached, and I think he has a good understanding of the basic fundamentals of what he needs to do to play," Bernardi said. "And then he's a good athlete for that position. Natural knee bend, natural explosion, good feet for 295 pounds, and he's smart."

Showing he wasn't content with the success he had, Murphy participated in a tough offseason conditioning program this summer by following guard Joe Hawley's lead.

Murphy ran four mornings a week, even running gassers -- a series of sprints. Weightlifting was in late morning.

Whenever his body told him to rest, Murphy pushed on by thinking about this season, which begins at 7 p.m. Saturday against Sacramento State at Sam Boyd Stadium.

"Football is an amazing game," Murphy said. "You can always go a step further. When you're out on the field, you see people saying they can't when it's their mind telling them they can't. The body can handle a lot when you're out there.

"So I tell myself, 'I'm tired now, but am I going to be tired in games this year in the fourth quarter, in overtimes?' I've got to be ready for that."

The memory of Brigham Young -- where Murphy yielded his one sack -- didn't necessarily drive him this summer, but that play ate at him.

Trailing by seven points, UNLV drove to BYU's 14-yard line with 17 seconds left. Then Cougars defensive end Matt Putnam got around Murphy to sack Clayton and put the Rebels in a difficult spot.

Clayton was intercepted in the end zone on the next play.

At Colorado State, Murphy found himself having to play defense. He did what he was supposed to, going low to bring down Rams defensive end Tommie Hill, who had just intercepted Clayton.

Hill leaped over Murphy for a 13-yard gain to the Rebels' 24 to set up a field goal.

"The guy made a good play," Bernardi said. "He did his job. He was coached all week, too. You've got to move on. That's a key play, but that's something that wears on (Murphy) a lot because he's got pride. But he executed and did a good job."

Those are just two plays out of an entire season. And only one was really Murphy's fault.

Most players would take that kind of season right now if offered.

But tell Murphy he has the chance to go through another season with just one sack allowed, and he's not interested.

One is one too many.

"When I watch film, it's really boring if I'm not in because I like busting myself to see how I can get better, because I have an idea of what it's supposed to look like," Murphy said. "I really take things personal."

• DEPTH CHART -- UNLV released its depth chart for the opener (lvrj.com/depthchart), and the biggest surprise was junior Mike Grant not starting at cornerback after practicing with the first team. The starting corners are junior Quinton Pointer and sophomore Deante Purvis. The starters at safety haven't been announced, and Kyle Watkins went ahead of fellow sophomore Austin Harrington at tight end.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest UNLV football updates at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.