Mullen wants Rebels ready for stretch run

LAS VEGAS — It seems like yesterday Dan Mullen was being introduced as UNLV’s new head football coach as he returned to the sidelines following a three-year television hiatus.

Now, with just three weeks remaining in the regular season and his team sitting at 7-2, a bowl game berth firmly tucked away guaranteeing football in December, Mullen’s main objectives are to keep the Rebels as healthy as possible while trying to build some momentum heading into bowl season.

'We only have 19 days left,” he said Monday of what remains of the regular season. It starts this Saturday with Utah State, an explosive football team.”

The good news for Mullen is he doesn’t have to leave the Silver State over those next 19 days. The Rebels are home Saturday to the Aggies (5-4 overall, 3-2 Mountain West), then host Hawaii next Friday before wrapping up the regular season in Reno against Nevada Nov. 29. And despite being 3-2 in conference play, they still have an outside shot to play in the Dec. 5 conference championship game.

“We still have a lot to play for,” Mullen said.

He will get to test his depth over the remaining three games. So far, of the 105 players in the program, 61 have played at least one play in one game. Mullen said he hopes to get a few more players some snaps and those who have yet to participate a chance to take the field.

After all, you never know when someone will get hurt or decide to opt out of the program before the bowl game next month. And with two home games, some of those players will get an opportunity.

“With the rules the way they are, we were trying to protect some guys,” he said referring to the redshirt rules that limit a player to four appearances before he burns up a year. “But with three games left, that protection net is gone so we might be able to work some guys in. But guys have to earn it.

“I think I’m pleased with the depth of our team. We’ve rotated players in on both sides of the ball. I think it’s going to help recruiting. If you come to UNLV, you’re going to play.”

The Rebels’ defense, which has been much-maligned all season, delivered its best performance to date in UNLV’s 42-10 rout of Colorado State in chilly Fort Collins last weekend. The Rams managed 292 yards in total offense, only 103 coming on the ground. The defense has three sacks and an interception. Saturday, they'll face a Utah State team coming off its highest output of the season as the Aggies put up 51 vs. Nevada.

When asked how the light suddenly came on, Mullen said: “We’ve made some changes here and there and we continue to teach. I hope it helped their confidence.”

Linebacker Marsel McDuffie said it did.

“I certainly hope so,” he said of the defense finally turning the page and being an asset rather than a liability. “There’s always room for improvement but we went out there and played for each other.

“You have to go out there and do your job and trust the guy next to you to do his job.”

Mullen said the group stayed together. No finger-pointing. No quitting. Just putting their collective heads down and working harder to figure things out.

And with the offense continuing to humm along — 320 yards rushing, 131 from Jet Thomas along with Anthony Colandrea throwing for 251 more, perhaps the Rebels are in position to finish strong and go into whatever bowl game they accept to play in with momentum and confidence.

“Every game should have our attention down the stretch,” Mullen said. “You want to be a championship team? You have to win in November.”