So far, so good: UNLV football’s defense ready to tackle next big challenge

DENTON, Texas — It’s what Paul Guenther looks for the first few weeks of a football season. How the players under his guidance as defensive coordinator for UNLV’s football team tackle in the open field.

It’s the same thing he looked for when working in the NFL for nearly two decades.

“That’s why we work on tackling every day,” Guenther said. “That’s why I’ve always said you will see kickoff and punt returns go for touchdowns those first few weeks because you haven’t had a chance to do much live tackling in practice.

“For the most part, our guys have done a really good job with it.”

And must continue to do so.

The Rebels play at North Texas on Saturday and in the Mean Green they will encounter a team that outgained defending national champion Indiana last week.

The game got away from North Texas in the fourth quarter – the Hoosiers would go on to a 52-16 victory — but that didn’t stop the Mean Green from showing the sort of ability UNLV must now face.

North Texas totaled 367 yards to 365 for Indiana. More impressive, it outgained the Hoosiers 152-134 on the ground.

It was the first time in the Curt Cignetti Era at Indiana the coach’s team gave up more rushing yards to a non-Power 4 opponent.

Communicating better

But this has been an improved UNLV defense over the course of two games. Take away a few explosive plays that went for touchdowns in a season-opening loss to Memphis and the Rebels have been more stout than not against opposing offenses.

That certainly includes last week, when UNLV left Hawaii a 21-6 winner.

“Just the way we’re communicating and flying around, I think we’re more detail oriented than last year,” safety Jake Pope said. “We’re more consistent with our plays and gap schemes and coverages. The (Hawaii game) was a great feeling and something we can build off of.

“With (North Texas), we just need to know their pre-snap plan and what they’re about to do. Watching film. Preparing the right way. They have great players and so do we. We’re going to go out there and put it on them.”

If you hold Hawaii’s high-powered offense — especially on the island — to six points, you’re doing something right. The Rebels had five sacks, consistently bothering and pressuring Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado.

But this week presents an entirely different challenge. North Texas has a backfield full of runners who can get to the edge and make you pay on the outside.

“I think our guys understand each week there is going to be a different spin on things depending on who the opponent is,” Guenther said. “We were able to put the foundation in during training camp that whatever the week is, we’re able to adjust to the structures and coverages that we have to play against.

“North Texas had two really good backs that can make you miss in space, along with the quarterback. Three guys we have to tackle this week. These guys are really good. They were moving the ball and giving Indiana some problems, so we expect a big challenge. But our guys have a lot better understanding of what’s going on.”

Coach’s approval

Dan Mullen on Monday gave credit to the defensive staff for what the head coach has seen early in the season. Pleased with the adjustments. With not giving up many explosive plays, the kind where a 10-yard run turns into a 30-yard run. With, as Guenther pointed out, the tackling.

“I thought we had a really good scheme (against Hawaii),” Mullen said. “We didn’t make any critical errors. I also thought we played a pretty good defensive game against Memphis. We just made too many mistakes as a team during that game and didn’t win. It’s going to be a week-to-week thing.”

Another week, another opponent, another offense for which to prepare. Another week to prove things are better on the defensive side of the ball.

So far, so good.

“I’m happy after two weeks,” Guenther said. “I like what I’m seeing. Hopefully, we can keep getting better and better.”