No need for UNLV to oversell worthy foe, opportunity awaits
College football coaches habitually sell the media and fans on the quality of their opponents, playing up all the challenges of facing even the lowliest of teams.
UNLV coach Bobby Hauck certainly sold the worthiness of Northern Illinois this week, but he didn’t have to stretch the truth to do it.
“This is probably as big a game as we’ve had in our time here,” Hauck said. “NIU was in the 2013 Orange Bowl. I don’t know if there’s even been an Orange Bowl team to come here.”
No, there hasn’t been one, and the importance of today’s 4 p.m. game at Sam Boyd Stadium can’t be overstated.
Not only does UNLV (1-1) welcome a Northern Illinois team (2-0) that has won 25 consecutive regular-season games that includes a nation-best 16 on the road, the Huskies also visit at a pivotal moment in the Rebels’ season.
The Rebels entered this season with hopes of becoming the first UNLV team to reach a bowl in back-to-back years, and they wanted to contend for the Mountain West conference’s West Division.
Those goals are still out there, even after a 58-13 loss at Arizona and a 13-12 victory over nearly four-touchdown underdog Northern Colorado. A victory over Northern Illinois should create the kind of spark UNLV needs to put together the kind of season it envisioned during training camp.
“We think we can go out there and compete with everybody,” UNLV offensive tackle Brett Boyko said. “At the end of the day, we’re 1-1 moving forward. That’s a pretty good spot to be in after two weeks.”
Hauck acknowledged, however, the team needs to elevate its level of play. If the Rebels play like they did in the first two weeks, they have little chance against the Huskies.
But Hauck didn’t sound like he was ready to panic, either.
“We haven’t played very well,” Hauck said. “I’ve been doing this a long time. Nothing really surprises me too much.”
Even with the difficult start, UNLV has shown signs of living up to its preseason hopes, but consistency has been a problem.
New starting quarterback Blake Decker passed for 252 yards in the opener, but then had three interceptions and was sacked for a safety against Northern Colorado.
Wide receivers Devante Davis and Devonte Boyd had 100 and 102 yards receiving, respectively, against Arizona, but a week later were limited to a combined four receptions for 76 yards. The unit also probably will be without Marcus Sullivan today because he is listed as doubtful with a leg injury.
UNLV rushed for 119 yards against the Wildcats, but behind George Naufahu and Keith Whitely, totaled 211 yards on the ground last week.
The Rebels’ defense allowed Arizona to gain 787 yards, but then held the Bears to 327.
Maybe three games into the season the Rebels will begin to put the pieces together and find the consistency they need.
“We know we have a very good team coming in this week,” UNLV safety Mike Horsey said. “We have to be on our A-game.”
The Rebels catch Northern Illinois at a moment it could suffer a letdown. The Huskies defeated Northwestern 23-15 last Saturday, taking down not only a Big Ten Conference school on the road but also one in the same state.
“I think you’re concerned with (a letdown) as a coach until you put the film on of UNLV,” Huskies coach Rod Carey said. “I think our players feel the same way. Our players do a good job of getting in here on their off day. … They come in and talk, and I’ve heard from everybody who’s been in watching, ‘Coach, they’re good.’”
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.