Dec 26, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; UNLV Rebels linebacker Marsel McDuffie (38) against the Kansas Jayhawks in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After the Idaho State Bengals gave them a scare in Week 0, the UNLV Rebels have take away what they need to from the hard-fought victory and have turned their attention to the Sam Houston Bearkats. Leading up to the game, we heard from head coach Dan Mullen, offensive lineman Reid Williams, and the current UNLV Rebels On SI Defensive Player of the Week, linebacker Marsel McDuffie. This is what they had to say.

"I guess I'll sound crazy, but I thought the film was better than I expected it to look," Mullen said. "I want to see big improvements from Week 1 to Week 2, but really watching the game, we did things well. We did a lot of things really well. When we did things poorly, we did them really poorly. It was a lot of extremes in the course of the game rather than consistent, good football. I'd rather have more consistent, good football top to bottom this week."

"Both of them graded as champions for us, and neither of them graded as champions in any scrimmage we've had so far. I was pleased with that performance."

"We're going to play good players that are going to make great plays. We've got to make sure we respond from that but make sure we're making the plays we should make. Don't give them the other easy ones."

"I think a new team like this, chemistry is still building. I definitely think as an O-line we're getting closer, and this week as we move forward we know what to fix and where to improve."

"A lot more sense of urgency, a lot more focus. That performance we put on film last Saturday was not who we are, not who we want to be.