UNLV brings in ‘Orcas’ to solidify offensive line

Orcas, or killer whales, are one of the world’s most powerful predators. Highly intelligent and adaptable, they communicate and coordinate hunting tactics as a group.

Hoping to harness that killer instinct and mentality on the football field, UNLV’s new starting offensive linemen call themselves The Orcas.

“We just love their mentality,” Rebels center Will Kreitler said. “When you watch a group of orcas, they work as a cohesive unit, which is how we like to think of ourselves.

“They’re so smart and they do it so methodically, yet they’re still aggressive killer whales. We like to think of the defensive linemen as seals.”

The only senior up front, the 6-foot, 300-pound Kreitler is a returning starter and the leader of the line, which also features returning starter Kyle Saxelid (6-6, 290) at left tackle, returnee Nathan Jacobson (6-5, 290) at right tackle, junior-college transfer Michael Chevalier (6-3, 300) at left guard and redshirt freshman Justin Polu (6-4, 320), a Silverado High School product, at right guard.

Saxelid and Jacobson each gained more than 20 pounds since last season and, bolstered by the additions of Chevalier and Polu, the line is substantially bigger and stronger than last season.

“I feel even smaller than I did last year,” Kreitler cracked. “We got some big ol’ hogs up front, that’s for sure. But that’s a good thing.

“That’s part of people recognizing UNLV as an actual football program now where we can get guys that size and they’re definitely talented.”

While orcas eat seals and even whales much larger than themselves, UNLV’s offensive linemen prefer to feast on all-u-can-eat sushi and Korean barbecue together.

“We go to buffets all the time and almost put them out of business,” Saxelid said.

The Tofu Hut in Chinatown is their favorite haunt.

“They get scared when we come in, that’s for sure,” Kreitler said. “They don’t make much money off us.”

Saxelid noted there is a 90-minute time limit. But what are offensive linemen doing eating sushi and tofu anyway?

“It’s deceiving,” Chevalier said. “It’s Korean barbecue so we’re just eating a bunch of brisket and some pork and stuff.”

Said Jacobson: “All-you-can-eat sushi is always good to get that rice.”

The added weight hasn’t slowed down the line at all, according to Kreitler, a Rimington Trophy candidate as college football’s outstanding center.

“Our energy is much higher than it’s been in the past,” he said. “As an offense, I feel we’re clicking. From the offseason training and getting in our playbook a lot, we’re able to play faster than we have in the past.”

Orcas are very protective of their young; because of a lack of depth, three or four true freshmen are expected to see action on the line’s second unit this season. The good news is that they’re all big and strong and include Bishop Gorman products Jaron Caldwell (6-4, 315) and Julio Garcia (6-3, 305).

“Our (No.) 2 offensive line looks dramatically different from our 2 last year,” Sanchez said. “Physically, they’re all ready to play. Getting those guys mentally ready to go is the tough thing. We’ve got to find our best eight guys and be able to plug in those holes.”

Helping to mold UNLV’s young linemen are offensive coordinator Barney Cotton and offensive line coach John Garrison, who both played and coached at Nebraska, which led the nation in rushing 13 times from 1980 to 2001. The former Cornhuskers helped the Rebels finish 36th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing last season, with 193.7 yards per game.

“There’s a lot of Nebraska influence on the offensive line,” Garrison said. “We always wanted to run the ball. Our goal was to have 300 yards rushing. If you have 300 yards rushing the ball, you’re going to win football games.”

Garrison’s line at Nebraska was dubbed The Pipeline and he hopes to help build a talented one at UNLV.

“We’re extremely young, but the attitude and the effort is phenomenal,” he said. “That’s the one thing anybody can control.”

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow on Twitter: @tdewey33