LAS VEGAS — Sometimes just looking good is a big part of the battle.
This summer UNLV football coach Bobby Hauck gazed at the players who will don the uniforms this season and the first thought that came to mind was, “I think that our team looks better in person in their uniforms.”
What a difference a good offseason weight program can make.
Still, this is an uphill battle for the Rebels, who finished 2-10 last season. Hauck appears to be putting the building blocks of a solid program together, but it’ll take more than the two years he’s had.
But UNLV figures to be a team that, physically, should be able to withstand a beating and even dish one out every now and then. They are trying to turn around nearly three decades of mediocrity. The Rebels have had just two wins in six of the past eight seasons and have no winning seasons or bowl appearances since 2000.
So, it’s baby steps Hauck is seeking.
“Until we start putting more points on the scoreboard than our opponent, then we’re just a work in progress,” Hauck said. “But I think that progress is being made.”
Returning 14 players helps. Seven players, including junior running back Tim Cornett, are back on offense. Cornett gave the Rebels some semblance of a running game last season with 671 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry and had three 100-yard games. And working in Cornett’s favor is the return of the entire offensive line.
The defense has to improve from a unit that allowed more than 40 points per game last season. Linebacker John Lotulelei will be a big part of any progress the Rebels might make.
But mostly, for a program that Hauck had to tear down in order to build it the way he wants it built, it’s about staying patient with the process through some difficult losses.
“We’ve had a good summer and good offseason,” Hauck said. “I think we’ll be competitive. I think we will be a well-drilled competitive football team. Those are just words. It’s easy to be good right now. We want to be good this fall.”
On the subject of playing in a bowl game, Hauck was matter-of-fact.
“Going to a bowl game is a big deal,” Hauck said. “It’s one of the goals of our program. Certainly for UNLV, it’s been a long time. UNLV hasn’t had a winning season in many years and only three in the last 28. So, in terms of us, it’s the next step in our growth — having a winning season and going to a bowl game. So we’re hoping to do that this year. If not, then we need to in the very near future.”
Christopher Dempsey: 303-954-1279, cdempsey@denverpost.com or
Keys for UNLV
Solidifying the quarterback. Former University of Colorado commit Nick Sherry and incumbent Caleb Herring will battle it out for the starting gig.
Gaining traction on defense. UNLV’s total defense ranked 105th in the nation as it allowed 443 yards per game last season. Five starters return, but better play is needed.
Complementing the run. UNLV was a decent running team a year ago, but the Rebels ranked just ahead of Navy and Army — third to last in the nation — in passing.
Christopher Dempsey, The Denver Post
