Las Vegas a media favorite; UNLV has work to do

First-year UNLV football coach Tony Sanchez has made Las Vegas a key part of how he sells his program, and he’s working to get the kind of players he can promote right along with the city.

Las Vegas came out strong in a poll of Mountain West media members who cover the league, but the results showed UNLV’s football program has some work to do.

The Review-Journal polled one media member at each of the 12 conference schools to rank the top five choices in 10 categories, ranging from best offensive and defensive players to best college towns and road trips. Boise’s Idaho Statesman used two media members to put together one ballot.

For the Rebels, the good news was sophomore wide receiver Devonte Boyd was named the conference’s fourth-best offensive player. He was the Mountain West Freshman of the Year in 2014 after catching 65 passes for 980 yards, both records for a UNLV freshman.

Colorado State junior wide receiver Rashard Higgins was named the top offensive player. He was a consensus first-team All-American last season, catching 96 passes for 1,750 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 18.2 yards per reception.

Just behind Higgins at No. 2 was San Diego State junior running back Donnel Pumphrey, a Canyon Springs High School graduate. He rushed for 1,867 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, averaging 6.8 yards per carry.

On the other side of the ball, Utah State junior linebacker Nick Vigil was selected the top defensive player. He made 123 tackles last season, including 17 for loss and seven sacks.

No Rebels were selected among the top five defensive players, but Las Vegas was well-represented in the poll, voted as the top city in the conference for restaurants and nightlife. Las Vegas trailed only San Diego as the best road trip.

Maybe one day the city’s local college football team will be just as exciting, but there is plenty of buzz around the program. Sanchez’s effort to revive UNLV was named the fourth top story heading into this season. The Rebels have finished with two victories in eight of the past 11 seasons.

What makes the story especially intriguing was the Rebels’ decision to dip into the high schools to hire Sanchez, who won six consecutive state championships at Bishop Gorman, including the 2014 mythical national title.

The top story was whether Boise State would build on its success of winning the Fiesta Bowl last season or take a step back with a new starting quarterback, who has not been named.

Boise State also was selected the conference’s best program, the only category that was decided by a unanimous vote, and the Broncos were named as having the top game-day atmosphere. But Fort Collins, home to Colorado State, was chosen the best college town, and Utah State’s Matt Wells the top coach.

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