UNLV football tight end Giovanni Fauolo Sr. (45) and defensive back Bryce Jackson (24) attend training camp at Bill “Wildcat” Morris Rebel Park Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021.
Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 | 2 a.m.
UNLV allowed 38.0 points per game last season, and as that statistic implies, it was because the defense suffered weekly breakdowns at every level.
The defensive backfield in particular struggled to match up, but at the midway point of training camp there is real hope internally that the unit could be much improved in 2021.
The main reason for that optimism is experience. UNLV fielded a patchwork secondary in 2020, but the cornerback and safety groups return largely intact. For a player like cornerback Nohl Williams, who was rushed into a starting role as a freshman, that additional year of familiarity could make a big difference.
After Wednesday’s practice Williams said he and the other incumbents in the secondary are performing better because they’re used to playing with each other.
“It’s very important, because one mistake and it’s a touchdown,” Williams said. “That’s one of the most important things, knowing everyone’s jobs.”
Head coach Marcus Arroyo has touted Williams as the defense’s most improved player in training camp, but he isn’t the only returning starter. The senior safety tandem of Tre Caine and Bryce Jackson are back, as is cornerback Aaron Lewis. Caine, Jackson and Lewis started every game in 2020, while Williams started five of six contests.
That group took a beating last year, as UNLV allowed 8.4 yards per pass attempt and 13.8 yards per completion, ranking in the bottom 20 nationally in both categories. That’s a death sentence in a passing conference like the Mountain West, as three MWC teams (Fresno State, UNR and San Jose State) finished in the top 20 in passing yards per game last year.
Now that UNLV has a secondary loaded with veterans, Williams believes they’re better equipped to take on the conference’s more explosive offenses.
“I think we’re more locked in than ever,” Williams said. “I feel like it’s going to be a big season for us. A good exposure year. We’re going against good talent — we’ll see on game day how we come out.”
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]gas.com. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
