It is the question always asked when there is a quarterback competition in football training camp: Who will start the season opener?
Don’t expect UNLV coach Dan Mullen to play his hand before the Rebels begin things against Memphis on Aug. 29 at Allegiant Stadium.
“I have no idea,” Mullen said. “Maybe we’ll play both against Memphis. I don’t know. We’ll see. I can’t give away all our secret packages that we have.
“It’s about who’s going to give us the best opportunity to win. That’s the big one. Ultimately, like every position on the field, we want guys competing for reps and guys who can help us win. If they both can help us win, they’ll both play.”
He speaks of Auburn transfer Jackson Arnold and returner Alex Orji, two quarterbacks who have been competing for that No. 1 role this camp. Mullen also waited until game time in last season’s opener, only to have Orji and Anthony Colandrea both on the field for the first snap against Idaho State.
Colandrea then took over and played well enough to be named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year while Orji suffered a season-ending leg injury against UCLA in Week 3.
UNLV scrimmaged Sunday and followed with a lighter practice Monday, while Mullen continued to evaluate the quarterback play and how each is creating chemistry with a group of talented but unproven wide receivers.
“At times we have to continue to improve — there’s a lot of work,” Mullen said. “One of the things within the development, especially at the quarterback position, is you never get enough reps. It’s such a huge deal. Every day, I expect us to get a little bit better in the pass game.
“That comes from experience. That comes from time. That comes from a lot of reps and doing it over and over and over again. We’re still learning.”
Back playing
Mullen spoke about the return of three defensive players — tackle Cohen Fuller, defensive back Laterrance Welch and linebacker Donovan Spellman – following a Colorado ruling on NCAA eligibility.
“It’s great to see the right thing was done,” Mullen said. “I think a lot of these kids would have liked to have known this in January on what decision they’re making in their lives. But they’re here, they’re available and they’re ready to play. It’s good to have them back. Here are guys with experience who have played and will add depth to our defense.
“Cohen we were hoping would be back all along. He was planning on coming back. (Welch and Spellman) are both in shape. They’ve been working out, training. They played this defense last year and can come in and pick it up a little quicker, get their feet under them and go play. We wanted to get them here as soon as possible if they’re going to play for us.”
Special teams
There was an emphasis on the kicking game during Monday’s practice and you can expect Mullen to have a serious role in coaching special teams.
He elevated Mitch Singler to special teams coordinator, but it’s an area Mullen has always played a part in during his coaching career.
“I’m going to be heavily involved — I can’t be a free loader around here,” Mullen joked. “I think (special teams) are really important for me and where we are within the program and that they see that.
“No one signed a scholarship here to play left guard on punt. They signed to play a different position. So when they see me coaching it, I think it really shows the importance of it.”
Never perfect
Coaches needed to watch the film of Sunday’s scrimmage to give a true evaluation of what occurred and who might have stood out, but things will never be as Mullen hopes.
“I’m kind of a perfectionist, so I’ll never have a team where I want it to be, which would be absolute perfection on every play,” he said. “I doubt that will ever happen.
“A lot of this is our evaluation of what we’re doing well, who’s getting ready to go play, what our rotation looks like and what guys do we want on the field.”
Contact Ed Graney at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.
