New UNLV play-by-play guy promises not to sugarcoat anything

There is a fine line here. On one hand, a play-by-play announcer has an obligation to seek out the positive, to create sunlight in a sky devoured by ominous clouds, to portray a team in the most favorable sense possible.

On the other, Russ Langer is about to begin calling games for UNLV football, which has pretty much competed under gray and gloomy conditions since George W. Bush first won the presidency.

I've known Russ for six years, live on the same street as his brother, seen a man deal with the loss of his mother in the most loving manner, watched as he and his family care for his 93-year-old father in Las Vegas with the same undeniable devotion.

Russ is a good man.

Who might have just inherited his toughest job.

Everyone who has witnessed the Rebels practice this camp insist Bobby Hauck's third team is far superior than the first two, that it is bigger and stronger and faster, that those he has recruited are beginning to show signs of legitimate ability, that things are heading up the mountain instead of yet another plummet to the ocean floor.

The Rebels are 4-21 under Hauck.

I suppose all is relative.

But in hiring Langer and having Jon Sandler now exclusively handle men's basketball play-by-play duties, UNLV made the sort of commitment to football that says it shouldn't be viewed as a sport that merely holds your interest (if it does at all) until Midnight Madness festivities commence.

"Russ is the perfect fit for us at this moment," UNLV athletic director Jim Livengood said. "He is passionate. He is excited about the opportunity. He is known throughout the community. He wants to be with us as we build this program.

"Do I want him to be a homer for UNLV? No. Russ is a professional. Of course, he is a protector of the program in a way, but he can't tell you something that's not real. People are smarter than that."

Speaking of that fine line ...

It's hard to dress up ugly, and the Rebels for years now have hardly been the first girl asked to dance at a party.

They wouldn't have been invited to attend most weeks.

Whether that changes beginning with Thursday night's season opener against visiting Minnesota or next week against Northern Arizona or not much at all this season, Langer undoubtedly will be put in positions where locating a silver lining could be tougher than it was locating a defensive stop the past several years.

"I have an obligation to be honest," Langer said. "If you're not honest in this business, you lose credibility, and you're in big trouble. But I never want to go into any season or game with preconceived thoughts. That isn't fair to anyone. It's important I react to the moment, to what I'm seeing at a particular time. I want the team to do well, and yet that doesn't mean I should sugarcoat anything if things aren't going well.

"It's going to be fun. I've wanted to be part of UNLV for a very long time because it is so vital a part of sports in our community. To have such an active role in such a high-profile position means a lot to me."

I have always supported this gauge of criticism when evaluating games:

■ Never go hard after high school athletes.

■ Hold college players accountable in a measured tone.

■ Professionals are open season.

■ And always, when presented the option, ask Mike Sanford about the locker rooms.

Mike Pritchard will again provide commentary for the Rebels, important because the former NFL player can watch any given snap and see five things to the one others do.

Mostly, Pritchard has seen lots of missed tackles.

Langer will do well. He is in his 13th season calling games for the 51s and broadcast high school football in four states over the past two decades. He knows how to find a press box.

He also knows the game and that he's about to relay action for a program that last knew a winning season in 2000, that he can't fake it for those listening who know better, or who have at least sat through a UNLV-UNR game lately.

"I'm going to embrace the opportunity," Langer said. "The hope is that, in coach Hauck's third season, the team follows his past track record and there is measurable improvement."

I suppose that means at least three Saturdays worth of sunshine.

Las Vegas Review-Journal sports columnist Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618. He can be heard from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on "Gridlock," ESPN 1100 and 98.9 FM. Follow him on Twitter: @edgraney.