UNLV football team dealing with another dose of reality

In this craziest of years, the UNLV football team has had to deal with two cancellations because of coronavirus-related circumstances, practices with different levels of participation, two Mountain West cohorts setting up headquarters in Nevada’s Clark County to avoid their own cities’ lockdowns, and now a reality show.

In “Below Deck,” a Bravo show focusing on the crew and clients of a charter yacht, an episode featured a “star quarterback at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas,” according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The newspaper reported Max Gilliam appeared in an episode during which he was with a group eating sashimi off a model clad in large leaves. The paper said the episode was shot in February or March before the heightening of the pandemic.

In Monday’s Zoom call with reporters, UNLV coach Marcus Arroyo noted school officials were not aware of the scene “until it was brought to our attention (that) morning.” While the appearance did not violate any NCAA or school rules, Arroyo said, senior leaders need to present conduct that reflects well on the team.

Gilliam remains in contention to make his sixth consecutive start for the 0-5 Rebels in Saturday’s game against Hawaii at Aloha Stadium. Freshman Doug Brumfield, who played significantly against Wyoming two weeks ago, is one of four quarterbacks to take snaps in a game since Armani Rogers entered the transfer portal in July. Rogers is now at Ohio. Kenyon Oblad did not play in the past three games. Arroyo said Justin Rogers still is dealing with “health conditions.”

Friday will mark the first anniversary of Arroyo’s hiring as head coach. He previously was Oregon’s offensive coordinator. Arroyo said he has been impressed with his players’ resiliency during the pandemic in which spring practice was axed, training camp was delayed, games against Colorado State and Boise State were canceled, and players have exited and then re-entered the active roster. Arroyo said some players, mostly in the secondary, are practicing after being unavailable for about a month.

“We’ve got roster limitations that put us in situations with a lot of new guys,” Arroyo said. “Each week is an opportunity to grow and get the best rhythm we can.”

Arroyo said the players have persevered during a pandemic that impacted school and team instruction. This also is final-exam week for the Rebels.

“I’m proud of the way they’ve gone about it,” Arroyo said. “A lot of guys hit cruise control or they pull the plug (emotionally) or try to hit the reset button and avoid discomfort and adversity. We’re opposed to that. I love that we can teach them. I think that builds resiliency. And I think this year, these guys have embraced that opportunity to be coachable, and go out and compete with each other, and understand what it takes to put your best foot forward.”