UNLV ready to move on to Utah State

Following Saturday’s 34-30 loss at Air Force, UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said the next 48 hours would be telling in how his players respond to blowing a 27-point lead.

Based on what he saw in Sunday night’s walk-through and Tuesday morning’s football practice, Sanchez is encouraged his team’s mindset is as strong as ever.

“If they were faking it, they did a heck of a job because there was a lot of energy out there, and those guys were flying around,” Sanchez said Tuesday. “As frustrating as it was (Saturday), there was no lack of effort. There was no lack of toughness or intensity.

“There was a lack of execution both from the coaches and the players collectively, and we’ve got to do a better job on that.”

The Rebels (2-4, 1-2 Mountain West) return home to Sam Boyd Stadium to play Utah State (3-4, 1-2) at 3 p.m. Saturday. UNLV is a 4-point favorite in a game that will be televised on AT&T SportsNet.

UNLV players could enter that game ticked off at what happened last weekend and channel that energy.

“You’ve got to use your emotions the right way,” offensive left tackle Kyle Saxelid said. “You can’t let them take complete control. We’ve got to keep going, and we’re going to use that to get better, and we’re going to go into this game well-prepared.”

Linebacker Bailey Laolagi said it was important “to move on from (Air Force) and go into Utah State with a clear head and play our game.”

Sanchez has made one notable move this week, moving offensive coordinator Barney Cotton to the press box.

“I think we have two unbelievably talented guys who have a lot of O-line experience right there on the sideline,” Sanchez said. “So (John) Garrison needs to be there to talk to the O-line. I think sending (Cotton) up there is going to create a great conversation between the two of them. We’re going to be able to see from the box. We’ve got to get some better information about exactly what’s going on.”

UNLV averages 31.0 points per game, but the Rebels’ offense was stymied in the second half at Air Force when the Falcons loaded the box and dared them to throw. The Rebels scored three points and gained 107 yards over the final two quarters. Quarterback Armani Rogers completed 5 of 14 second-half passes for 38 yards.

Perhaps Air Force’s decision to target the run will be the blueprint for future UNLV opponents to follow.

“I hope they do because I can tell you that won’t happen twice,” Sanchez said. “If people want to go ahead and load the box with that talented group of receivers, I’m telling you right now, we’ll throw that ball 35, 40 times down the football field if we need to. We’re going to be able to run the football. We’ve got a big group of physical guys, and that’s a big part of what we do, but we have to make people play us balanced for four quarters. We’ve got to do a better job of continuing to attack.”

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.