UNLV football coach Dan Mullen: Championship teams are selfless

UNLV football coach Dan Mullen rates his team a 9 out of 10 for unselfish play, but says November is when that trait matters most in a long season. "Championship teams are selfless," Mullen said. "There's a team out there in the (Mountain West) that's going to be the most selfless team and that team is going to be holding up the trophy." The Rebels (5-3, 3-1) host Wyoming (5-3, 4-1) Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium in a matchup where both sides control their path to the conference championship game.

Mullen described selfishness as human nature dating back 100,000 years, translating to modern football where every player wants more passes, catches, tackles and reps — and hears they deserve them from family, friends and agents. The best teams thrive when players separate individual desires from team goals, he said, requiring sacrifice from starters and backups alike.

Quarterback Jackson Arnold, who has experienced being a backup, said the team is at a "really good point with its selflessness." He added: "You just have to be prepared for the moment and not be disappointed or disgruntled where you're at. I feel all our guys are prepared to go out there and play a full game."

Mullen emphasized that scout team players must give starters the best looks in practice and everyone must maintain positive attitudes as the season wears on. "Those are the things you fight more and more into a season as it starts to wear on you," he said. "Everything is longer. The season is longer. Games are longer than in high school. That's why the most selfless team is going to win."

The game carries added weight for UNLV, which follows with a road trip to first-place New Mexico. The Rebels have split their last two games and need to ramp up play as competition stiffens in pursuit of a Mountain West title.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal