Depth a concern for UNLV as defense struggles to finish

Depth was always going to be a concern at UNLV this football season, and the fact it reared its ugly head the past two games isn't breaking news.

But that doesn't mean it's any less of a concern.

UNLV's defense tired in the fourth quarters at UNR and against San Jose State. The depth problem nearly cost the Rebels the victory at UNR, and it played a vital role in the loss to San Jose State.

On Oct. 3 at UNR, UNLV held the Wolf Pack to three points and 172 yards in the first three quarters. UNR scored 14 points and gained 171 yards in the fourth period, nearly rallying to get the victory before the Rebels held on to win 23-17.

Then on Saturday, UNLV bottled up San Jose State star running back Tyler Ervin through the first three quarters, holding him to 21 yards. Ervin rushed for 52 yards in the fourth quarter and in overtime, scoring a go-ahead touchdown and the game-winning TD in the 33-27 victory for the Spartans.

"There are some depth issues on both sides of the ball, but we have got a lot of guys who have to contribute special teams-wise, too," UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said. "Overall, I think our guys have played well. Obviously, late in the game, it's tough when you look at overtime and that last drive (against San Jose State).

"Offensively, we had a night where we had 400 yards (403 to be exact). A lot of our yards came late, just like theirs, so it's one of those deals where I think both defenses kind of wore down a little bit. That's what happens when you're out there that many snaps."

This is likely to be a season-long issue for the Rebels, who next play at Fresno State at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

"It's tough, but it's nothing we can't do," safety Blake Richmond said. "We practice to play like that, so it's not an excuse we should make."

• MONEY, MONEY — UNLV receives $300,000 for playing on ESPN2 as part of the TV deal that was made toward the end of 2012 to keep Boise State from leaving the Mountain West.

The Rebels have one more chance to play on ESPN or ESPN2 when they host Boise State on Oct. 31, but how much they would get for such an appearance is uncertain. Boise State will receive $500,000, but the other half a million will go into a pool to be split at the end of the season with nine other conference teams. Hawaii doesn't participate in the pool because of its own TV deal.

When the agreement was made to keep Boise State in the conference, the competing team also received $500,000 when facing the Broncos. But that was deemed unfair to the West Division schools because they don't play the Broncos every year. UNLV athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy was part of the movement to change to rule to benefit all the schools.

• GETTING THE CALL — In getting the vote of confidence to start his second game in a row, Rebels quarterback Kurt Palandech also got a boost of confidence for how he played in the fourth quarter against San Jose State.

He threw two touchdown passes, including what appeared to be the game-winner with 3:41 left to Devonte Boyd. It was a strong finish after Palandech struggled for much of the game.

"I was definitely able to settle in the fourth quarter and feel comfortable out there and did some good things," Palandech said. "Did some things I need to improve on, for sure, but overall as the game went on, I improved, and I've got to keep building off of that."

Previous starter Blake Decker didn't play against the Spartans because of a dislocated non-throwing shoulder. Sanchez said Decker is about 90 percent healed and ready to go if needed.

• GOING BOWLING? — The Rebels still have plenty of work to do to get to a bowl, but ESPN's Brett McMurphy thinks they will get there.

He projects UNLV to play in the new Arizona Bowl on Dec. 29 in Tucson. South Alabama is his projected opponent.

To get to that game or any other bowl, the Rebels must win four of their final six games.

• RARE ROAD FAVORITES — UNLV is a 6-point favorite at Fresno State, the first time the Rebels have been favored in an away game since Sept. 28, 2013, at New Mexico. They were 2-point favorites against the Lobos and won 56-42.

UNLV was the underdog in the past 13 true road games and a 6½-point underdog to North Texas in the Heart of Dallas Bowl on Jan. 1, 2014, in what felt like an away game for the Rebels. North Texas won 36-14 before a partisan crowd at Cotton Bowl Stadium.

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