UNLV
Overall rank: #102
#7 Mountain West Conference
2010 Record: (2-11, 2-5 MWC)
2010 Bowl: None
Coach: Bobby Hauck (2-11, at UNLV, 82-28 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Rob Phencie
Defensive Coordinator: Kraig Paulson
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Tim Cornett, RB, 546 yards
Passing: Caleb Herring, QB, 365 yards
Receiving: Michael Johnson, WR, 571yards
Tackles: B.J. Bell, 51
Sacks: B.J. Bell, and Sidney Hodge 1.5
Interceptions: Will Chandler, CB, 5
Other Key Returnees: WR Michael Johnson, WR Phillip Payne, TE Anthony Vidal, RB Tim Cornett, DE B.J. Bell, CB Will Chandler, PK Nolan Kohorst
Key Losses: QB Omar Clayton, MLB Ronnie Paulo, LT Matt Murphy, S Alex DeGiacomo, DE Preston Brooks, DT Issako Aaitui
Strengths:
The mindset has been put in place by Hauck and his staff to establish a hard-nosed tough minded brand of football at UNLV. The wide receiver core coming back, led by Michael Johnson, should make the passing game very effective for whoever wins the quarterback battle between Caleb Herring and Sean Reilly in fall camp. On the defensive side, the secondary should be the anchor of the defense with Will Chandler coming back after a five interception season and veteran senior Quinton Pointer who should be healthy after losing last year to knee surgery.
Weaknesses:
The inability to run the football and not stopping the run were critical to UNLV’s struggles last season. Controlling the line of scrimmage with an improved running game, thanks to a strong stable of returning running backs, is going to be critical in 2011 for the Rebels. The offensive line, without a single returning starter to go with an unsettled quarterback situation, is something that UNLV will need to gel quickly in 2011 if they are to make a run at a bowl game. Also, the linebacking core is being completely replaced and will need an immediate boost from JC All-American Princeton Jackson to come in and stabilize that group for the Rebels.
The Bottom Line:
The rebuilding of the UNLV program continues on in year two for Bobby Hauck. Hauck is one of the best recruiters in the country and has brought in another strong group of freshmen and JC transfers that he will need to make an instant impact to help offset the loss of record breaking quarterback Omar Clayton. The quarterback battle should go down to the wire and with a rebuilt offensive line, it will be critical in fall camp for these units to mesh and come together. Defensively, there is plenty of room for growth as Hauck and his staff signed two highly touted JC recruits in DT Louvan Green and DE Trent Allmang-Wilder to enhance the Rebels ability to stop the run and try and take control of the line of scrimmage. With a tough seven game road schedule, the Rebels should take a small step forward toward a bowl game with 2012 being the year when they should be a bowl team.
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 103.3 (109th in nation, 9th in conference)
Passing Offense: 170.9 (98, 6)
Total Offense: 3,565 (118, 8)
Scoring Offense: 18.4 (110, 7)
Rushing Defense: 222.7 (116, 8)
Pass Defense: 227.8 (77, 9)
Total Defense: 5,856 (111, 9)
Scoring Defense: 39.7 (116, 8)
Turnover Margin: -1(63, 4)
Sacks: 0.92 (116, 9)
Sacks Allowed: 2.77(101, 8)
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