UNLV’s Sanchez bucks coaching wisdom, always wants ball first

When Hawaii won the coin toss Saturday and elected to receive, it marked the first time this season UNLV didn't open the game with the ball.

That's because Rebels coach Tony Sanchez always wants the ball first, which goes against coaching conventional wisdom. Because most coaches defer to the second half when they win the toss, Sanchez can almost always count on going on offense first.

"The whole point of football is what? To get the football," Sanchez said. "If I have an opportunity to get the ball, I'm getting the ball. I don't care when the hell it is.

"The only time we wouldn't is if the weather is a factor, if you have a hellacious wind or you have a rainy situation. We've scored on six of our first possessions. That's big. It sends a statement to the whole team, and our guys know that we're not going to shy away."

Consider it a message received.

"I love it when we get to go out there first because, like Sanchez said, it shows we're ready to take this ball and go down there and score a touchdown," offensive left tackle Kyle Saxelid said. "It lets us show that, hey, we're here and we're ready to play."

* SOLID WALL — The Rebels, who next play at Colorado State at 4 p.m. PST Saturday, have given up 19 sacks this season but none in the past two games.

It's the second time since sacks became an official statistic in 1979 that UNLV has not allowed a sack over consecutive games. The other time occurred in the final game of the 2002 season and the first three games in 2003.

UNLV has had four games this season in which it didn't allow a sack. The last time that occurred was in 2003.

"We've been working on things a lot in the last couple of weeks to make sure in the pass protection we have a lot better communication between the guys," Saxelid said.

The line has had its expected ups and downs for a front replacing three starters, but the lack of injuries has helped it develop. Other than Nick Gstrein taking over as the starter at right guard in place of Chris Lopez five games into the season, UNLV has put the same starting unit on the field each week.

"It's huge to have that continuity," Sanchez said. "Obviously, any injury is tough as thin as we are. We've kept our guys on the field, and sometimes that's as much luck as anything else."

* MAKING STRIDES — It's been well-documented that getting their third victory of the season Saturday was a landmark for the Rebels. That was just the fourth time in 12 years they hit that mark.

But there are other ways to measure the improvement under Sanchez, who is in his first season.

UNLV's 29.6 points per game average is its second-highest since 1985. The Rebels averaged 29.9 points two seasons ago when they went to the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Last season, they averaged 21.9 points.

Defensively, UNLV has given up a 29.8-point average, the Rebels' lowest mark since allowing 28.6 in 2007. They allowed a 38.5 average in 2014.

From last season to this one, UNLV has gone from gaining 387.4 yards per game to 403.1, and the Rebels' defensive averages have dropped from 513.5 to 446.9.

* ODDITY — UNLV is one of 14 teams nationally with just two lost fumbles, and both giveaways were by quarterbacks. The Rebels are among just nine teams without a fumble lost from a running back.

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