LAS VEGAS — UNLV did not have much time to sit on Saturday’s 27-21 loss to Memphis before turning its attention toward Hawai‘i. The Rebels returned to work Monday with their first road game of the season ahead, and Dan Mullen sees a much different opponent than the one UNLV just faced.
That starts with Hawai‘i coach Timmy Chang, who starred at quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors before eventually returning to lead the program. Mullen believes Chang’s background in the offense gives Hawai‘i someone who understands far more than how the system is supposed to operate on paper.
“They have a head coach that not only played in their offense, not just coaches it or believes in it, but is one of the most successful players ever in that style of offense,” Mullen said. “I think that the familiarity, the comfort, his ability to make changes in it and really knowing every in and out of what they’re doing makes it a huge challenge.”
Chang now has Micah Alejado running the offense after the sophomore attempted 50 passes in Hawai‘i’s 37-27 loss at Stanford. The Rainbow Warriors threw 52 times overall, giving UNLV an early look at how willing Chang is to keep the ball in Alejado’s hands.
Mullen also expects the Hawai‘i defense to look much different than Memphis. The Tigers brought more size and physicality into Allegiant Stadium, while the Rainbow Warriors rely more on their speed.
Photo: Guy Curtright / The Scarlet Standard“You watch them defensively, they’re fast on defense,” Mullen said. “Memphis, very good defense. Memphis big, physical defense. This team, not quite as big, but they’re really fast, quick guys all over the field.”
Mullen pointed specifically to that speed at linebacker and in the secondary. Hawai‘i also returns several players from the group UNLV faced last season.
“They have some experience with some returning starters coming back on the defensive side of the ball, and they play really hard,” Mullen said.
UNLV beat Hawai‘i 38-10 at Allegiant Stadium last season, but the Rebels head to Honolulu this time coming off a loss after letting a 21-14 third-quarter lead against Memphis slip away. Taeshaun Lyons still found some positives in what the receivers did in the opener.
Jackson Arnold threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns in his UNLV debut, with the Rebels getting several receivers involved. Lyons felt the room responded when the offense needed production from it.
“I honestly feel like there was a lot going on for us,” Lyons said. “We had a lot going on for us in that receiver room. I feel like it got to a point where there were times where they were relying on us to move the ball, and I believe that we did so when they counted on us and called our name.”
The production was spread around throughout the night. Tavian McNair caught a 38-yard touchdown, Kayden McGee scored from 22 yards out and Taz Reddicks added a 33-yard reception as UNLV continued rotating receivers.
“A lot of great playmakers in that room made great plays when their name was called,” Lyons said. “Me being someone that just wants to encourage them, I’m just happy that everybody made a play when their name was called.”
Mullen expects a different defensive style this week, but Lyons is not worried about how many opportunities the receivers get.
“Going into this next game, just pretty high and ready to execute again,” Lyons said. “Maybe we get a bigger role, maybe we don’t, but nonetheless, we’re going to execute the same.”
UNLV returned to the weight room Monday for the first time following a loss this season, and Lyons said the mood was not one of players feeling sorry for themselves after letting the Memphis game get away.
“One thing that our strength coach said was he’d seen a lot of people that weren’t necessarily down on themselves or all pouty, but more so he said that he sees kind of a little rage in our eyes,” Lyons said. “Everybody has rage in their eyes after somebody loses a game, but more so just to see a different look on our faces, a more motivated look to see how we can use that going into this week.”
Memphis scored the final 13 points after falling behind by seven in the third quarter, finished with 13 explosive plays and held the Rebels scoreless the rest of the way. UNLV managed only 25 yards in the fourth quarter.
Lyons wants to see that frustration carry into Hawai‘i week.
“I hope that this is something that we can rely on and rely on each other to just be better for us this week,” Lyons said. “Just to come together and to be stronger for each other. I’m excited to see what’s going to happen going into this weekend.”
Photo: Guy Curtright / The Scarlet StandardHawai‘i is a familiar opponent for Kamuela Ka’aihue and the UNLV defense. The Rebels played the Rainbow Warriors last season, and Ka’aihue has seen plenty he recognizes on film.
“We played them last year,” Ka’aihue said. “They really didn’t have too much changes going on from last year to this year.”
Ka’aihue said that familiarity will not change how UNLV prepares.
“Every single week, regardless who we’re playing, we’re going to prepare the best that we can, whether it’s change things that we messed up on or fix things or get better at the small techniques and stuff like that,” Ka’aihue said.
After Memphis, there is plenty for the Rebels to clean up before getting on the plane for Honolulu.
“It’s still going to have to be a hardworking week,” Ka’aihue said. “We’re going to have to pour into film, practice, putting the film to the field and everything like that. But regardless of who we play, it’s still going to be a great week of preparation.”
Related Reporting
