Game Day: UNLV at Hawaii

UNLV OFFENSE

These days, it’s hard to tell the Rebels without a medical chart. Injured receivers Kendal Keys, Brandon Presley and Darren Woods won’t play, and quarterback Johnny Stanton will miss his third game in a row. Ailing quarterback Kurt Palandech, who has been limited to one pass because of arm issues, is promised a role in this game. Freshman Dalton Sneed, who exited training camp as the No. 3 quarterback, will make his third consecutive start. Against Fresno State two weeks ago, Sneed threw for 129 yards and rushed for 147, including a 91-yard scoring run that actually measured 135 yards when factoring his circuitous route. But Sneed flopped against San Diego State last week, going 2-for-12 for 9 yards. Devonte Boyd is a deep threat (16.9 yards per catch) and possession receiver (accounting for 32.8 percent of the Rebels’ receptions). The Rebels can align in three-wide sets, the pistol or the wishbone featuring Lex and X (backs Lexington Thomas and Xzaviar Campbell). The backs have lost one fumble the past two seasons. The line, which has relinquished only four sacks, often is treated to buffets by the quarterbacks. “If we go to all-you-can-eat sushi, we’ll be there the full two hours,” center Will Kreitler said. “We’re putting them out of business.”

UNLV DEFENSE

The Rebels’ defense is making noise this season, especially in the weight room. “It’s like a party in there,” linebacker Tau Lotulelei said. “You’re just so hyped up and flying while putting weights up.” Lotulelei said strength/conditioning coordinator Keith Belton is “hella hyped” even at training table. “We’ll be eating, and he’ll yell: “You’d better eat that real good!” Lotulelei said. “He makes everything enthusiastic.” Lotulelei has transformed from a 189-pound Maui High wrestler into a 235-pound Rebel without a pause. Lotulelei, who leads the team in tackles (9.0 per game), aligns on the edge, in the middle or in coverage. Lotulelei grew up as a die-hard UH football fan. His favorite player was safety Leonard Peters, whom he emulates with long hair and frenetic play. “I love playing this defense,” Lotulelei said of the hybrid schemes involving six down linemen, a 4-3 standard or a three-man front comprised of only linebackers. “The defense is designed for the linebackers to fly around and make plays.” Strong safety Troy Hawthorne is a multi-tier defender who can align as a rush end. Jeremiah Valoaga is a 6-foot-6 wild card who obscures passing lanes.

UNLV SPECIALISTS

On the third try, Evan Pantels has seized the starting job at place-kicker and punter. Pantels redshirted at Georgia State in 2014. He was the kicker/punter at Georgia Military College last year before transferring to UNLV. He has connected on all four field-goal attempts this year, the longest from 38 yards, and is averaging 41.8 yards per punt. Kickoff returner Charles Williams ran 100 meters in 10.63 seconds and 200 meters in 21.43 seconds in a California district meet in May.

HAWAII OFFENSE (EDGE)

A trending T-shirt reads: “What can Brown do for U?” Quarterback Dru Brown has fit the Rainbow Warriors’ hybrid offense to a T. Brown has not been intercepted in his past 80 passes while leading the Warriors to 17 scores (13 TDs, four FGs) in 34 full drives. In two starts, he has completed 76.5 percent of his passes, including 6-for-7 on throws traveling at least 20 yards from the line of scrimmage. In those games, Brown would translate to fourth in NCAA pass efficiency (186.19). “Each and every day, I’m getting more comfortable with the system,” said Brown, who transferred to UH in late June. “I do what the coaches tell me to do, and try to get the ball to the right guys.” The coaches have given Brown a say-so in calling plays. Last week, it was Brown’s decision to rescind a handoff to Steven Lakalaka and bolt the other way for a 62-yard TD sprint. This season, Brown is averaging 11.3 yards on non-sack scrambles and keepers. The Warriors have had three-and-outs on only 20.6 percent of Brown-led drives. But Brown has lost a fumble in each of the past three games. Brown has worked on the high-and-tight grip the past week. “It’s a habit I’ve had my whole life,” Brown said of his one-handed scrambles. “I’m working on it every day to fix it. Hopefully, I can cut that out because I’m getting close to no turnovers (in a game).”

HAWAII DEFENSE (EDGE)

Since hitting the “reset” button two weeks ago, the Rainbow Warriors have improved their pass defense dramatically. In the first four games, opponents completed 68.6 percent of their passes, averaged 8.97 yards per throw, and absorbed four sacks. In two MWC games, the Warriors have held foes to 56.1-percent accuracy and 5.73 yards per pass, and notched 11 sacks. Defensive tackle Kory Rasmussen, end Meffy Koloamatangi, and linebackers Jahlani Tavai and Russell Williams Jr. have intensified the pass rush. The secondary, dubbed DBG (Defensive Back Gangstas), has provided aggressive coverage and open-field tackling. “We’re still DBG,” said safety Damien Packer, referring to a group founded by former Warriors Ne’Quan Phillips and Marrell Jackson. Phillips and Jackson bought a dry-erase board that the defensive backs still use to diagram plays in their apartments. The corners and safeties are friends — and competitors. Corner Jalen Rogers leads the secondary with two interceptions; the other starters have one apiece. Safety Trayvon Henderson has 32 solo tackles. The corner nearest the sideline — Rogers or Jamal Mayo — is in charge of relaying defensive calls. “It’s a group effort,” Rogers said. “We’re nowhere satisfied. We’re going to keep working hard. We’re going to keep stacking the bricks, as (defensive coordinator Kevin) Lempa says, until we build this house.”

HAWAII SPECIALISTS (EDGE)

Rigo Sanchez has booted 13 of 30 kickoffs into the end zone, resulting in eight touchbacks. But special teams coordinator Mayur Chaudhari would prefer Sanchez place the ball in the left quadrant — imagine the field divided into four lanes — just short of the goal line. “I’d rather kick it and have them return it,” Chaudhari said. “I’m confident our guys can tackle them inside the 25.” Sanchez has launched eight kickoffs inside the 5. Against San Jose State, a kickoff to the 2 resulted in a 13-yard return. “If we can tackle them inside the 15, that’s a big difference in terms of how play-calling is.”