Type of Offense: Pro-Style I. This offense is a run oriented offense that uses run plays and play action to get defenders out of position for passes in the 15-25 yard range. The tight end and fullback are more involved in the offense as the fullback is a blocker and the tight end is 70/30 blocking versus running routes. Most known for the isolation running plays in the middle, the offense has evolved to a more off tackle and “counter trey” running offense. This is more of the style of professional ranks allowing for a QB with a strong arm to thrive.
Type of Defense: 4-3. Fast OLBs with the WLB being stronger in pass coverage and the SLB being stouter versus the run. MLB is balanced and expected to make most of the tackles, especially versus the run game. A lot of Cover 2 with the MLB expected to get deep (15 yards) on a pass play. Corners on an island playing the edges with help over top. Gap responsibilities on the run game with DL and LB filling gaps and DE normally containing on the edge.
• Run/Pass %: 56/44
• Run/Pass Attempts: 453/352
• Points Per Game: 18.4
• Points Allowed Per Game: 39.7
Key Returning Players:
• Phillip Payne, WR: Leading returning receiver for an anemic offense from 2010. He has 689 yards receiving and 5 TDs last season making him one of the few big time performers for UNLV. Must continue to improve and move into the 800-1000 yards receiving group that may get another win or two for UNLV.
• BJ Bell, DE: Leading returning tackler for a defense that was porous against the run and pass in 2010. He has 51 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble, and even scored a defensive touchdown. It was a very successful season for the defensive end. He must improve drastically on his sack numbers in 2011 to keep pressure off of the defensive backfield.
Key Incoming Freshmen:
• Princeton Jackson, LB: UNLV went the quicker fix and took this 3 star juco out of Blinn CC to come in and improve the linebacker spot significantly. At 6-2, 230 and running a 4.6 40 yard dash, he should be on the playing field immediately making big plays all over the field.
• Elijhaa Penny, ATH: This 3 star rated athlete will find a way on the field in some capacity as yet to be determined in 2011. At 6-2, 240 pounds and running a 4.6 40 yard dash, they may try to match him with Jackson and have two athletic and quick outside linebackers that can make plays from sideline to sideline.
Overall Assessment:
The Rebels only won 2 games in 2010 but have a chance to be much better in 2011. The schedule is back loaded with games against Boise, TCU, SDSU and Air Force being 4 of the last 5 games to end the season. That means that the early part of the schedule is winnable with only 3 of the first 6 games against teams that are much better than them. Offensively and defensively players must step up and start making big plays on both sides of the ball as well as win the turnover battle on a weekly basis for UNLV to have a shot at a good season. Overall, with about 7 games being difficult to extremely difficult to win, don’t expect the Rebels to have a winning record in 2011. The best would be about 4 wins and significant improvements on both sides of the ball giving calls for optimism in the future.
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