UNLV Defensive Scouting Report
I am going to be honest, whoever is Coaching the offense needs to spend a little time with the defensive side of the ball. It is no wonder that the previous UNVL games have been close -with the exception of the Utah game. In the three games that I watched I didn’t see one player or play stand out for positive reason. I don’t want to be all negative because they did beat Arizona State, but if ASU’s linemen were auditioning for the clown circus that night and well….they got the part. They all probably jammed into their tiny car after the game.
UNLV’s Defensive Scheme:
The Running Rebels play a basic 4-3. Their defensive linemen are big space eaters, which frees up their linebacker to flow to the ball. They have some good zone blitzes and occasionally bring pressure up the middle. Their man coverages normally have a safety over top and their zone package is predominately cover 2.
Their defense does a decent job of matching up with receivers when they come into their zone. The linebackers do a good job of switching off underneath routes and cutting receivers off.
But as a whole, the defense is extremely lazy. They don’t pursue to the ball and they hardly ever gang tackle. Individual players within the defensive scheme -not as a team unit- make a lot of their plays. After a shoe string tackle or big hit the individual defender will often pound his chest while his teammates mosey back to the line of scrimmage. As you can tell I wasn’t impressed by Rebel’s defense.
The Defensive Line
The Rebel defensive linemen haven’t ever meet a buffet table they didn’t like. The casinos on the strip cringe when they see this group coming their way. The only two I noticed doing anything good were #99 Isaako Aaitui and #93 Malo Taumua. These two tackles can do a good job of controlling from offensive guard to offensive guard, but they tire quickly and often take plays off.
Within the scheme they do what their Coaches ask them to do – they take up space and keep the linemen off of the linebackers.
Linebackers
Because Bo Bell made every play on the field for this defense the past two years this group of linebacker are still growing into their roles. #33 Jason Beauchamp is the old timer of the bunch, but he is still a junior. #56 Ronnie Paulo is a sophomore and #55 Nate Carter is a freshman who the Rebels are hoping will become the next Bo Bell. All three linebackers look good in their jerseys but they don’t play particularly well. They let the ball carriers come to them and they are at their best when they are running from sideline to sideline.
This group makes a lot of plays, but they also give up a lot of yardage. The difference between this years defense and last years defense is that this year the linebackers let the action come to them. Last year they brought the action to the offensive players, physically forcing contact on the offense.
They are also susceptible to play action and often don’t match-up well against tight ends. This group will have to play very well in order to give their team a good opportunity to win.
Defensive Backs
These guys are the best ankle bitting tacklers I have ever seen. They don’t like to come up and tackle the running back. They will instead come up hard and fast and dive at the ball carriers legs. It’s not something I like to see, but it gets the job done.
Their corners are good athletes, but have numerous technical flaws. They often let the receivers run free down the field and rely on their speed to make up the difference – which hasn’t worked that well so far this season. The corners do a good job in their zones, but they often play high and uninspired. I think Austin and Mike match up very well against their corners.
Safeties – honestly I don’t remember much about their safeties because they didn’t stand out as big hitters or exceptional cover guys. They come up fast and hard, but they just dive at the ground. They often allow receivers to get behind them and they lack the recovery speed to chase down the streaking receiver.
The defense as a unit doesn’t play that well together. As individuals they will make some plays and maybe knock a guy down. I wasn’t blown away by their execution or their effort and in order to compete against our offense they will need one of those two characteristics. As always their defense has a punchers chance. If we allow their offense to move the ball and their defense get some emotion early it could be a long day. That is where ASU screwed the pooch. They didn’t throw the knockout punch when they were up 20-10 and instead they let the defense believe they could play. Before ASU knew it the clock had expired and they were left wanting.
Keys to the Game:
Score first, we need to jump on these young Rebels quick. We can’t allow for a first quarter shut out. If we allow them to build up their emotions we could find ourselves in a dog fight.
Work the match ups against their linebackers. Dennis and Andrew along with Fui create a huge mismatch against the Rebel linebackers. It will be tempting to throw the ball down field and get the crowd excited. By exploiting these match ups early we will force their safeties to become more and more involved close to the line of scrimmage. We will then find that our receivers will have more space and they can than create good throwing lanes for Max.
As the statistics show we have to run the ball for 100+ yards. This is priority one going into this week. We need a combination of off tackle runs as well as inside power runs. This will get those big Rebel D-linemen huffing and puffing, which will slow the rush and aid our passing game.
Control the clock. UNLV’s offense is far better then their defense so we need to keep the “Running Gunning” Rebel offense off the field. Move the ball in chunks and make the drives long and methodical.
Last of all we have to play harder and faster. Our efforts needs to be unmatchable. That means pressing a fast tempo on the Rebel defense and swarming the Rebel ball carriers on defense.
BYU definitely out matches the Rebels, because last weeks game was so lopsided it leaves us fans with uneasiness in our stomachs. What if something goes wrong early? What if we have a turnover? What if they score on a big play? What if, what if, what if.
Everyone needs to remember that this is the same team that outlasted Washington. The same team that pounded Wyoming and the same team that won 16 games in a row. We are a good football team, that still has great potential. The game is four quarters for a reason.
Saturday will be filled with ups and downs. The team that grabs the emotion early and than outlast the other team is going to win.
Cougars over power the Rebels at home 42-24 and Harvey has a big day.
I was just wondering what has happened to JJ DiLuigi and Wayne Latu. I heard good things about them in the off season, but after the first couple games haven’t seen them at all. It seems like Harvey can get a little winded at the end of games. Sticking DiLuigi and Latu in for a couple plays and actually giving them the ball should help out… atleast I would think.
They both fumbled the ball in early games. That is not the way to start out your career, especailly with Coach Anae. Both players are capable and I think Wayne could speed up the temp a little. Will it happen, probably not. I personally think we need to put Austin in the backfield and run a play where he can either run or pass.
Except that would be too out of the norm Gooch. I would love to see different formations or anything that makes the other defense say “what are they doing.” I am not saying become a gimmicky offense just a play or 2 a game. Maybe bring in Covey and run something for him. I hear he is pretty quick..
Anae may not like the fact that Latu and DiLuigi fumbled, but if that’s his criteria for holding a player out then we should also keep out Fui, Hall, and others who have dropped the ball. Holding a good player out for the rest of the season due to a single-game mistake would be ludicrous. It’s not teaching a lesson, or discipline, it’s just punishment. DiLuigi and Latu both have excellent skills, and to help out Unga and the running game they should both see the field.
Well I think Wayne should get some carries, but I still think DiLuigi is a year removed both physically and mentally to contribute on a consistant bases. In football back up players need to maximize their opportunities if they get a chance and don’t take advantage, it’s tough to get another one.
It’s not always fair, but imagine yourself screwing up at work and everyone who notices -60,000- takes it out on your boss. Would your boss be looking to you as a go to guy when the chips are down? My guess is no.
Gooch in years past byu’s defensive strength has been linebacker (no offense). This year it seems to be dlineman. How hard is to switch to a 4-3 alignment for running downs or situational plays? What effect does a 4-3 alignment have on the zone defense byu likes to play?
It is more difficult than you might think especially for the linebackers. The LB’s would basically have to learn a new postion. It isn’t something you can do on a consistant bases. The coverages would stay relatively similar, but the run fits and reads change. I could see them doing it in some situations but swithching completely would take a longer period of time. Let’s give these linebackers a chance they are still learning and developing. Like I mentioned in an earlier post the defense is retooling. Besides for the first few games they played good, last game was different but I think they’ll come back and play well.
I think Wayne kind of redeemed himself with his TD in the UCLA game. I’d like to see a little more of Kariya but Anae doesn’t seem to be a fan of the RB by committee approach. Unga is our featured back but someone like Latu coming off the bench would provide a nice change of pace in the running game and give Harvey a few more much deserved breathers on the sideline.
I like Kariya also. He was on the scout team when I was playing and he had good speed and was tough to get your hands on. I think he will be competative next year after the missionary legs take a hike.
Chris,
Take a look at the Brian Kehl posts. As Quinn mentioned it is not easy to switch to a 4-3. Brian says that he has yet to feel comfortable in a 4-3 because things are so much different. Instead of reading Tackles and TEs off the edge, you have to pay attention to the guards and centers. It also take a different kind of LB. DOn’t get me wrong, Nixon is a tough sucker and I’d take him on my side every day of the week, but his style of play is more speed and quickness. That is how he makes his living. In a 4-3 you can’t make a living as much on speed because you are going to be asked to take on blocks head on inside the tackle box where there is not a lot of room to “put the moves on” or run around someone.
I agree with Quinn, these LBs will be fine. Coach Tidwell will remind them what things were like on the 3rd Floor of his high school, and it will get their fire going.
IN REGARDS TO WAYNE TRAIN:
I love Wayne, and he definitely adds a speed component to the Run game.
Anyone remember Wayne rushing for 98 yards and a TD in his first game…against UNLV? Could be a great game for Wayne if they let him get some carries.
Staff,
So what were things like on the 3rd floor of Coach Tidwell’s high school?
Quinn,
Coach Sanford, on his radio show this week in Vegas, mentioned that he thought he could run againts BYU and thus open up all kinds of passing opportunities. He also inferred that the “wildcat formation ” might be implemented becuase of the success TCU had.
Do you think Bronco has prepared this team for a direct snap formation?
Jason…they were not for the faint of heart from what I hear.
One day in the ILB room (Where the real men and real LBs reside) Coach got onto the topic of the tough times at Ogden High School. We were talking about Glen Red, the toughest LB to ever play at BYU, and coach was giving us examples of how Glen was tough even way back when.
As the story goes, at lunch the seniors would come tap you on the shoulder and say “3rd Floor.” You’re only choice was to meet them on the 3rd floor with your buddies and in the hallway the fist started flying. They would not stop flying until someone hit the ground or someone yelled “Teacher.”
Whenever we needed a reminder that we had to play tougher, we would just say we needed to take guys up to 3rd floor.
PJD,
Coach Mendenhall and Coach Hill were preparing for the UNLV “wildcat” formation on the plane home from TCU, I guarantee you that. Any time you have a weakness exposed you have to sure it up immediately.
That being said, I am sure they had practiced for it against TCU too. It is a part of offenses that is so common now days you have to spend time on it each week. It seems like every team in the country has their “wildcat” guy now.
No Doubt UNLV will run it until we prove we can stop it. The question is going to be, can we stop it? I have confidence that we will not let the “wildcat” beat us tomorrow, even if it is successful here and there.
Quinn,
Whatever happened to Austin Collie taking reps with the QB’s? Are we ever gonna see him take a snap or two? I know there was a lot of hype in the pre-season….and after seeing TCU’s WR Kerley (sp?) run all over us, it got me thinking that we should get Collie some snaps. Any chance this will happen?
I like the idea of Austin taking some snaps. As long as he throws a pass or two. We can’t be one dimensional. If he is going to run the ball a couple of time we need to force the defense to play honest. I would run a sweep one with Austin and sneak a back out the other way and run him deep. Just a thought.
The player that needs to take direct snaps is Chambers. I was watching him throw it in warmups before one of the games. He has a good arm.
It’s not just throwing the ball a long way. It’s more about making a sound decision where to throw the ball. I don’t know if I trust Chambers with the ball and decision making. I would trust him with the ball…..
Quinn, you know who should play QB is the kid who ran our scout O against Air Force and every team that ran the Wildcat. That guy is fast, quick, tough, can throw, AND can make decisions. Remember he was a former QB. Isn’t his name Marshall?
Yeah his name is Matt Marshall, I think he will the a Nate Meikle type player next year. At least I hope so that kid could play.
Thanks for the insight! As fans sometimes we don’t realize all of the intricacies of the game so it is nice to get a little more egumacation!
The thing that hit me strongly last week was that we were over powered by speed. This is the same challenge that confronted LaVell and Chow throughout their BYU tenure.
Offensively, Chow overcam this with a variety of misdirections, roll outs, draws, screens, and forward pitches.
I’d like to see the coaches realize the problems earlier and counter with some of these type plays that make a defense more honest.
Am I wrong about the play calling or could we do more to prepare for speed D?
Matt Marshall was an option QB at Skyline just like Brandon Doman. When I was there his dad was a Die Hard Utah fan. He played for the utes back in the day and IIRC is the only player in NCAA history to be National Defensive POW and then National Offensive POW the following week. Matt has a good football pedigree. Plus he’s an Eagle.
Also, I heard(take it with a grain of salt) that his brother who played for the U when they went to the BCS encouraged him to walk-on at BYU rather than taking a scholarship at the U.
Well I don’t know Matt’s brother, but I can tell you this much, after seeing how K Witt conducts himself and runs things up north, I am thankful every day that he turned down the BYU job…That would have been a step backward for the program if you ask me.
Plus why do he a Gary Patterson insist on wearing form fitting turtlenecks when they are not exactly the slimmest of figures? I know I should not be concerned with fashion, but honestly, it kind of creeps me out…I mean TURTLENECKS?
You wrote, “It’s not always fair, but imagine yourself screwing up at work and everyone who notices -60,000- takes it out on your boss. Would your boss be looking to you as a go to guy when the chips are down? My guess is no.”
I’ve been wondering about that lately, what it would be like to have 60k people evaluating your every move. What affect does that have on players?
MARK,
You know the only way it bugs you is if you let it. When I was playing I tried not to read any news articles or watch media clips on BYU.
I always kept things to myself and didn’t let on to people in my classes either that I was a football player. That is where the real ignorant comments come out…in class after the game. But as players we know what the real deal is. We watch the film, we know where we were right/wrong. Fans see the result, but rarely understand what the play was or what we were trying to accomplish.
Obviously you want to impress the fans, because when they get rowdy you feed off that, but I never paid attention to the criticism, it wasn’t worth it.
LET ME TELL YOU THE WORST STORY I HAVE IN REGARDS TO THIS:
I was in the student athlete center and a player from another team came up to me and commented about our secondary and how terrible they were. This particular athlete happened to be on the same intramural football team as my best friend, so I had seen him play many games. He went on to talk about how he could do such a better job and that he was planning on coming out to walk-on the following year. I was trying to punch him. It really ticked me off, because first of all he was terrible at football. Second, our secondary was not the problem.
In any case as we talked I found out that he had only started playing his sport in college at UVSC, then walked-on at BYU. He rode the bench 95% of the time, but loved the attention that was brought to his sport.
This further enraged me because it was such a distorted view of reality. NOBODY just started playing football in college and tears it up, especially at a skill position like safety. There is so much to it.
In any case, it was a perfect example as to why I just let people say what they wanted and then walked away, because they usually had no credibility to give an input.
PS:
It is also amazing how quick people are to retract their “tough guy” comments once they realize you play for the team.
Please indulge me for one more story…
I was at a low key social gathering and this guy kept going on and on about the BYU football team and how terrible we were (This was 2006) He talked about how good he was and how much he new about BYU football and how bad we were and where we kept messing up. He was the classic know-it-all who could do so much better than anyone else, if given the chance.
I let it go on and on because honestly, he was so sure of himself that I felt if I spilled the beans I would embarrass him beyond belief.
Well eventually someone else had enough and they said, “You know Markell plays on the team right?”
To put it simply the next 3 hours consisted of him backtracking his story and apology after apology.
I sure wish either one of them would have come to practice for just a day so someone could have got a good hit on them.
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