At some point, UNLV’s Sanford needs to go

At some point, someone in the press -- other than my very occasional heckles from the cheap seats -- needs to call for UNLV football Coach Mike Sanford to resign.

Since no one seems willing, I’ll step up and make the request now. Not that I expect Sanford to start clearing out his office. After all, he has more games to lose this year.

Besides, the economy is tough, he needs the work, and his UNLV experience hasn’t exactly been a resume builder.

It’s nothing personal. He seems like a nice enough guy. But he’s not up for the job, and it showed once again Saturday in Laramie, Wyo., when the Rebels lost to Wyoming, 30-27. (UNLV did keep its impressive conference road losing streak in tact.)

The Rebels weren’t exactly the picture of confidence on the sidelines or on the field. Against what by all accounts is a pretty mediocre team, UNLV was baffled three times after moving the ball to the 10-yard line. The red zone was a dead zone as usual.

Here’s the thing, sports fans. When you have a lot of talent, you can afford the occasional sloppy execution and brain fog.

When you have middling talent, you had better be the team in the best shape that executes flawlessly.

Of course, the Rebels aren’t overly talented. Their coaches are letting them down, too.

Cut to Saturday’s game with under 2 minutes to play. The final, desperate, uncreative drive of the game said it all. Sanford chose to have his team attempt a 45-yard field goal on fourth and 3 knowing full well his kicker hadn’t converted one from that distance.

It makes it appear fourth and 3 might as well have been fourth and 33. Doesn’t exactly peg the confidence meter.

Then, of course, matters got worse. Five yards worse.

Not only did UNLV botch its field goal attempt by butchering the snap, but the long-distance shot was made even longer because Sanford botched his sideline management and got called for a delay of game penalty. So a 45-yarder became a 50-yarder.

The fact, as reported in the Review-Journal, that Sanford took “full responsibility” for the mistake means nothing.

Guest what?

The coach is always responsible for the performance of his team.