Tuesday UNLV fall camp report: Tony Sanchez wants game manager at QB

Following UNLV’s fifth practice of fall camp at Rebel Park on Tuesday, coach Tony Sanchez again addressed the quarterback competition between Kurt Palandech and Johnny Stanton.

While Sanchez indicated the close battle for the starting spot could extend into the Rebels’ Sept. 1 season opener against Jackson State, he said he’s simply looking for the most efficient game manager.

“We don’t need a guy to come out and win the game for us. We need a guy to not lose the game for us,” he said. “The main thing we’re looking for at the quarterback position is someone who can manage the offense and take care of protecting the football. If you can do those things, with the backs and receivers we have, we’re going to be fine.

“We’re going to play good defense and good special teams. We just need someone to manage the offense and get it to the athletes, and as they mature, they’ll start to make plays. It’s not on them to go out and win games.”

Sanchez said part of naming a starter is feel and part of it is science.

“We’re obviously talking about leadership and the way the team rallies around the guy and the guy they believe in,” Sanchez said. “But then sometimes you can’t just trust that so we chart everything. Every ball they’ve thrown the entire camp.”

Along with keeping track of completion percentage and interceptions, Sanchez’s staff tracks balls in jeopardy, drops and quality throws vs. inadequate throws.

“You’re looking for who has the better completion percentage and who does the better job of not putting the ball in jeopardy,” he said. “A guy might go 8 of 10 and put seven in jeopardy. Those are the things we’re looking for. The guy who’s not pressing the issue and is going to relax and run the offense.

“As far as decision making, we’re almost where we were coming into camp. Kurt’s doing probably a better job of understanding the offense and making decisions, but he’ll still throwing behind people and letting things float. Johnny’s got a little bit better arm strength but he’s not there on decision making. We’ve got to see those things come together.”

Besides quarterback, Sanchez said his biggest concern is depth on the offensive line.

“We feel really good with our 1s. Our 2s are talented, they’re just 18-year-old kids. They haven’t started shaving yet so that’s kind of an issue,” he said. “You look at the defensive side, we feel pretty good about our two-deep (depth chart) across the board. Everywhere else, we feel pretty good, but you start with the offensive line. We’ve got to keep those guys healthy so practice is a big deal on me to make sure we manage it to where we’re physical enough to be ready to play but don’t overdo it to where we’re beat up.”

The Rebels, who practiced in pads for the first time Tuesday, will have their first day of double sessions on Wednesday before getting their first day off Thursday, when the team will have its annual photo day at Sam Boyd Stadium.