Aug. 19, 2009
CAMP REBEL - Turning in his best day of practice yesterday, junior defensive lineman Malo Taumua (Honolulu, HI/Aiea HS) was wearing the Black Jersey during Wednesday's first session on a warm morning.
Taking advantage of his huge motor and ability to collapse the pocket, the Rebel coaching staff has moved Taumua out from tackle to edge, where he can use his pass rushing abilities more and cause havoc for opposing quarterbacks. Playing in the trenches last season, Taumua recorded 6.5 tackles for loss along with a quarterback sack to go with 27 total tackles. He was instrumental in one of the biggest wins in program history, blowing up the Arizona State offensive line and blocking a field goal in overtime, giving the Rebels a stunning 23-20 victory over the No. 13 Sun Devils.
Taumua said he struggled at times learning the nuances of becoming more of a pass rusher instead of run stuffer, but over the past few days of camp things have started clicking.
"I have been learning the position and times it has been a little bit frustrating," Taumua said. "I am playing faster now and being out in space with a chance to rush off the end, I have been put in a position to make plays."
Taumua has spearheaded a defensive unit that has taken strong strides this camp and has been standing toe-to-toe with the Rebel offense every day in practice.
"The defense is making it harder on the offense," UNLV head coach Mike Sanford said. "It is harder to complete passes, harder to run the football and harder to get first downs. Both sides are making plays, which is good to see."
An offensive player who has been making plays seemingly since the day camp opened is wide receiver Jerriman Robinson (Rialto, CA/Texas Southern), who was the Black Jersey honoree on offense. The senior pass catcher made several nice catches in traffic on Tuesday and he gives UNLV quarterbacks yet another weapon to look for heading into the season.
The other nominees were quarterback Mike Clausen (Riverside, CA/John W. North HS) and wide receiver Michael Johnson (Suisun, CA/Rodriguez HS) on offense and defensive end Preston Brooks (Los Angeles, CA/Washington State) and defensive back Courtney Bridget (Baltimore, MD/Dunbar HS) on defense.
2009 CAMP REBEL BLACK JERSEY WINNERS
Aug. 10: CB Quinton PointerAug. 11: Travel DayAug. 12: QB Omar Clayton & LB Jason BeauchampAug. 13: WR Rodelin Anthony & DL Martin TevaseuAug. 14: WR Ryan Wolfe & DE Heivaha MafiAug. 15: OL Matt Murphy & DB Alex De GiacomoAug. 16: OL John Gianninoto & LB Beau OrthAug. 17: QB Omar Clayton & LB Jason BeauchampAug. 18: OL Matt Murphy & LB Ronnie PauloAug. 19: WR Jerriman Robinson & DL Malo Taumua
