UNLV football team searching for rhythm against Hawaii

The state-of-the-art, $34.8-million Fertitta Football Complex opened a year ago. The home games are played at the $2 billion Allegiant Stadium, the base for the NFL’s Raiders. But the UNLV football program remains under construction.

Because of coronavirus-related issues, two of the Rebels’ games were canceled, including what would have been the home finale against Boise State last week. Practices also have been impacted because of absences. The 0-5 Rebels have used four quarterbacks while adjusting to a scheme head coach Marcus Arroyo ran as Oregon’s offensive coordinator last year.

“I think the rhythm and tempo and synergy of sports is a really important factor, and unfortunately, we’re not privy to that right now, where things change at the drop of the dime,” Arroyo said. “We’re no different from anybody else. Everyone is dealing with their own issues. We’re dealing the best we can. We’re trying to take every opportunity we can to stay in somewhat of a rhythm. … We’ve got roster limitations that put us in a situation with a lot of new guys. Each week is an opportunity to grow and get the best rhythm we can.”

There are 19 freshmen on two-deep chart, including speedy starting wideouts Kyle Williams and Zyell Griffin.

UNLV OFFENSE

The first note of Musical Quarterback was sounded in July when Armani Rogers, often likened to Cam Newton in build, left the Rebels. Last year’s starter, Kenyon Oblad, has played only one game, and TCU transfer Justin Rogers has been limited to two because of health issues. Max Gilliam, who began his career at Cal, is relatively accurate (60.3%) and vulnerable (18 sacks, or one every 7.7 pass plays). Freshman Doug Brumfield logged some time against Wyoming.

The Rebels are modeled after Oregon’s spread, with three- and four-receiver sets, pre-snap motions and the QB having zone-read options out of the shotgun. The Rebels were counting on riding the “Chuck Wagon” — running back Charles Williams, who is a combo of speed (sub-4.5 seconds in the 40), low-leverage running, and the sure hands for screens and check-down tosses. He has accounted for 51.1% of UNLV’s carries. But after averaging 5.6 yards per rush in his first 39 games, he is down to 3.7 the past three games.

UNLV DEFENSE

Reinforcements have arrived, especially in the secondary, for defensive coordinator Peter Hansen, who was Stanford’s linebackers coach the previous six years. “We had a handful of guys who hadn’t played in a month,” Arroyo said. This season, opponents have averaged 8.0 yards on first down. The Rebels have been burned for 13 first-down TDs, including eight on rushes. The leaks are wider in the red zone, with opponents scoring on 27 of 29 visits. The Rebels have only three takeaways — two fumble recoveries and a lone interception on 140 pass plays. The stats belie the bracket-setting skills of edge defenders Jacoby Windmon (five sacks) and TCU transfer Adam Plant. Inside backers Vic Viramontes and Malakai Salu bring different skills. Viramontes sets up in the middle back of the box, impeding crossing routes. Salu is a hunter with sideline-to-sideline range. Free safety Tre Caine often aligns 12 yards deep and then retreats into a single-high coverage. Strong safety Bryce Jackson prefers to mix it up in the box.

HAWAII OFFENSE

At the ideal stage, the Warriors will have a quick attack featuring power runs and passes to all levels. For now, the Warriors are trying to find an offensive rhythm at a moderate tempo. The running game has lost its footing since the 323-yard opener. In the next six games, quarterback Chevan Cordeiro has been the rushing leader (72.5 yards per game on non-sack carries). The Warriors have used jet sweeps, reverses and the wildcat — one of Calvin Turner’s many roles — to ignite the ground game. In a preview to future plans, the Warriors have employed a tight end in more sets. Caden Hilborn, a 6-5, 280-pound lineman, started there last week. Micah Vanterpool was used as a tight end in short-yardage situations before taking over at left tackle. Hekili Keli‘iliki, Riley Wilson and Derek Thomas (before moving back to defense) were used as extra blockers. Wideout Rico Bussey has flourished since aligning mostly on the wide side of the formation (89% catches when targeted last week). Right tackle Gene Pryor has emerged as a hunt-and-deck blocker the past five games.

HAWAII DEFENSE

With the thinning secondary, head coach Todd Graham joked he might be the next man up. (Graham was a hard-hitting safety at East Central University and then in a brief stint with the Cardinals.) But with seemingly a new match-up scheme every week, hybrid Khoury Bethley has roamed in the secondary, and cornerback Cameron Lockridge has crammed for both safety spots. Graham, who calls the defensive plays, has implored his players to be better at “block destruction.” Middle linebacker Darius Muasau has answered that request. In a three-and-0ut series last week, Muasau made two stops on runs of one and zero yards, then hurried the QB into an incompletion. Unheralded defenders also have emerged, such as nose tackle John Tuitupou. The American Samoa-reared, Kalaheo-graduated Tuitupou is used to having a “Target” on his back. He worked the overnight shift at the chain store between stints at two junior colleges. After joining the Warriors in the spring, Tuitupou, a father of three, shed weight and gained a role rotating with nose tackle Blessman Ta‘ala.