UNLV may be best known for their basketball program, but football coach Mike Sanford is trying to change that.
“I knew it would be a big challenge when I took the job,” Sanford said. “It was a challenge I wanted.”
Although Sanford said the program has improved, it is not up to his standards quite yet.
“We are a different team, a better team,” Sanford said. “But it has not shown on the field.”
Injuries have been one thing standing in the way of Sanford and the Runnin’ Rebels (1-1).
After leading a ranked Utah team in the first half last week, the Rebel’s two leading tacklers went down on successive plays.
Sanford said these injuries and a lack of execution in the second half cost UNLV victory.
“We didn’t cover kicks, play defense or move the ball,” Sanford said.
With the injuries piling, junior linebacker Jason Beauchamp is now counted on to lead the defense.
“We’ve moved some guys around with the injuries,” Beauchamp said. “I’m a veteran, so it won’t be difficult because I understand the defense. We’ve got to play technically sound. They like to take the big shots so playing sound is the only way [we will succeed].”
UNLV is trying to sneak up on the Sun Devils.
“I’m more concerned with our team,” Sanford said. “We can’t worry about the external factors that affect ASU.”
Sanford, who has coached several times against ASU as an assistant, will lead UNLV in their first matchup against the Sun Devils on Saturday.
Sanford said playing on the road against Utah was good preparation for the “hostile environment” of Sun Devil Stadium.
“I love it,” Beauchamp said. “It’s what you dream of as a little boy.
“This is a big opportunity to show everybody what we’re capable of. We have to win this year and show that we’re a force in the Mountain West [Conference]. We need to set a mark for our players and coaches.”
Though the MWC does not factor into the BCS, it does have two teams ranked in the top 25: BYU (18) and Utah (22).
“This is a huge year for the coaches and players,” Beauchamp said. “UNLV is on the up-and-up, and we’ve shown signs of brightness even though we did have a few relapses against Utah.”
The time for talk is over, and UNLV has a tough test to see if their program really is rising.
“It’s not about talk anymore,” Sanford said. “It’s about saying we’re better on the field.”
Reach the reporter at todonnel@asu.edu.
