Numbers, results say UNLV ‘D’ is better

In the world of UNLV football, all things are relative, comparable only to those Rebels teams that have struggled for so long.

Take, for instance, the defense.

The statistics you discover four games into this season will hardly challenge the nation’s leaders or turn heads in amazement, but a truth lies within the below-average numbers.

The Rebels are noticeably better on that side of the ball.

UNLV won consecutive games for the first time under fourth-year coach Bobby Hauck on Saturday night, dismissing Western Illinois 38-7 at Sam Boyd Stadium, a result made possible largely by a defense that didn’t allow a score until the third quarter and was timely and physical and inspired throughout.

“We just go back every week and correct our mistakes to make sure they won’t happen again,” said senior linebacker Tani Maka, who had one of two UNLV interceptions. “Our (front) is getting a good push, something the defense prides itself on. We want to (create turnovers), take the ball, hit. It’s what we want to do every week.”

The seven points were the fewest allowed by UNLV since its 35-7 whipping of New Mexico here last November. Four quarters passed between a second-half shutout of Central Michigan last week and Western Illinois finding the scoreboard. The Rebels are holding up better defensively than they have in several seasons. It’s fairly obvious.

Look beyond stats: UNLV entered the game ranked 119th nationally in scoring defense, allowing an average of 43.3 points. Much of that, though, could be attributed to terrible special teams play at Minnesota and turnovers returned for scores against both the Gophers and Arizona.

Over its first two games, UNLV allowed five touchdowns with its defense on the sidelines.

“That’s a bad season, let alone a bad two weeks,” Hauck said.

Total defense is a truer picture of how UNLV has played, ranking third among Mountain West teams and a respectable 65th nationally. Last season, the Rebels ranked ninth out of 10 conference teams and 98th in the country.

The conversation between Hauck and his younger brother Tim, who took over as UNLV’s defensive coordinator this season, about what the Rebels needed to improve at most was likely one word: Everything.

Needed to pressure the quarterback more. Needed to hold up in the secondary better. Needed to tackle beyond a high school level. Needed to disguise coverages better. Needed to be tougher, more physical, faster, more instinctive.

“I don’t think we were good enough in our run defense (Saturday),” said Hauck, whose team allowed 197 rushing yards. “We need to shore that up. It was physical, but not as clean as it needs to be. ... But it’s night and day comparing our (tackling) now to (recent seasons). I think we’re good tacklers. We practice it. We’re good at it. Our guys enjoy it.

“Our defense is playing really well. Our guys deserve some credit. They’re playing really, really well.”

I don’t know if any of it means New Mexico running back Kasey Carrier won’t get his league-leading 122-yard average or more against UNLV this week or that Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr won’t throw for several touchdowns against the Rebels on Oct. 19 or that Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton won’t rip them up with his feet and arm on Nov. 9.

I don’t know if it means Hawaii, which can’t score much at all, will resemble a poor man’s Oregon here on Oct. 12.

It could all happen.

But for the first time since Hauck assumed control of the program, he’ll lead a week of practice coming off back-to-back victories. That’s important. The more evidence a team owns that it can produce successful results, the better chance it occurs again sooner than later.

Much as a 2-2 record was expected of UNLV to this point, so too will a specific theme be debated the next several days: Hauck is about to coach the biggest game of his career with the Rebels, a game at New Mexico that is both winnable enough to snap the program’s dreadful 23-game losing streak away from home and perhaps allow the sentiment that he should be given a fifth season to sway in his favor.

Momentum can be a coach’s greatest ally when playing as UNLV has its last six quarters, having outscored the other guys 69-7 over that span.

It’s all relative, for sure, but it’s not as if silver linings have defined this program on a weekly basis.

The Rebels are better defensively.

It a truth that reaches way beyond any numbers.

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.