Rebel Daily Drive 7.16.2026 | Mountain West Media Days Interview with NIU Head Coach Rob Harley

Rebel Daily Drive 7.16.2026 | Mountain West Media Days Interview with Air Force Coach Troy Calhoun

Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun joins Rebel Daily Drive at 2026 Mountain West Football Media Days in Las Vegas. Calhoun talks about the new-look Mountain West, quarterback Liam Szarka’s growth, the biggest changes he has seen in college football, UNLV’s rise, Ken Niumatalolo joining San Jose State, Air Force’s defensive identity, Owen Allen’s role in the offense, the unique demands of playing at the Academy, mental toughness, defensive leaders, the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, scheduling with only two open non-conference spots and what it will take for Air Force to bounce back this season. Tap in for the full interview from Mountain West Football Media Days. 00:00 - Troy Calhoun Joins Rebel Daily Drive 00:26 - Liam Szarka’s Growth at Quarterback 01:03 - How College Football Has Changed 02:15 - Ken Niumatalolo Joining San Jose State 03:11 - Air Force’s Defensive Identity 03:57 - Liam Szarka and Owen Allen in the Offense 04:43 - Five-for-Five Rule and the Academy Model 05:59 - Balancing Football and Academy Training 06:41 - Air Force’s Bounce-Back Mindset 07:52 - Mental Health and Academy Support 09:13 - Defensive Leaders to Watch 09:41 - New Mountain West Members 10:21 - Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy Motivation 10:31 - Air Force’s Scheduling Approach 11:21 - CFP Scheduling and Non-Conference Games 12:20 - Why Air Force Can Be Competitive This Year 13:37 - Final Thoughts Follow The Scarlet Standard: Website: https://the-scarlet-standard.com/ [https://the-scarlet-standard.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPBxVqczV4vLqAlivI3FPw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPBxVqczV4vLqAlivI3FPw] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v [https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarlet-standard/id1885404705 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarlet-standard/id1885404705] X/Twitter: https://x.com/SS_MediaLV [https://x.com/SS_MediaLV] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/ [https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/ [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/] #AirForceFootball #TroyCalhoun #MountainWest #MWFB #CollegeFootball #LiamSzarka #CommanderInChiefsTrophy #UNLVFootball #FootballMediaDays #TheScarletStandard

Rebel Daily Drive 7.16.2026 | Mountain West Media Days Interview with Hawaii Head Coach Timmy Chang

Hawaii head coach Timmy Chang joins Rebel Daily Drive at 2026 Mountain West Football Media Days in Las Vegas. Chang talks about Las Vegas’ connection to Hawaii as the “Ninth Island,” Bishop Gorman’s impact on the Rainbow Warriors’ roster, Coach Brown’s role in that pipeline, Micah Alejado’s growth at quarterback, Hawaii’s scheduling approach, NIL and recruiting, the Golden Pineapple rivalry with UNLV, opening the season against Stanford and UNLV, Jahmai Otis’ leadership, building chemistry in the portal era and the week-to-week variety of offenses across the Mountain West. Tap in for the full interview from Mountain West Football Media Days. 00:00 - Timmy Chang Joins Rebel Daily Drive 00:11 - Las Vegas as the Ninth Island 01:50 - Bishop Gorman Pipeline and Coach Brown 02:57 - Micah Alejado’s Growth 04:21 - Hawaii’s Quarterback Room 05:13 - Scheduling Stanford, Arizona State and Resume Games 07:30 - NIL, Recruiting and Hawaii’s Brotherhood 08:49 - UNLV-Hawaii and the Golden Pineapple 09:18 - Starting the Season With Stanford and UNLV 10:45 - Jahmai Otis’ Leadership 11:33 - Building Chemistry in the Portal Era 13:15 - New Mountain West Members 14:18 - Diverse Offenses Across the Mountain West 16:01 - Final Thoughts Follow The Scarlet Standard: Website: https://the-scarlet-standard.com/ [https://the-scarlet-standard.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPBxVqczV4vLqAlivI3FPw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPBxVqczV4vLqAlivI3FPw] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v [https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarlet-standard/id1885404705 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarlet-standard/id1885404705] X/Twitter: https://x.com/SS_MediaLV [https://x.com/SS_MediaLV] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/ [https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/ [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/] #HawaiiFootball #TimmyChang #MountainWest #MWFB #CollegeFootball #MicahAlejado #UNLVFootball #GoldenPineapple #FootballMediaDays #TheScarletStandard

Rebel Daily Drive 7.16.2026 | Mountain West Media Days Interview with NDSU Head Coach Tim Polsek

North Dakota State head coach Tim Polasek joins Rebel Daily Drive at 2026 Mountain West Football Media Days in Las Vegas. Polasek talks about North Dakota State’s move to the Mountain West, the transition from FCS to FBS, what success looks like for the Bison in a new era, scheduling at the FBS level, recruiting, NIL, the program’s traveling fan base, Nathan Hayes taking over the offense, replacing Bryce Lance, the diversity of Mountain West offenses, recruiting in new regions, offensive line leadership and defensive players who could take a step forward this season. Tap in for the full interview from Mountain West Football Media Days. 00:00 - Tim Polasek Joins Rebel Daily Drive 00:24 - North Dakota State’s Move to the Mountain West 00:43 - Transitioning From FCS to FBS 01:59 - What NDSU Must Improve for FBS Football 03:16 - Scheduling and CFP Resume Games 05:00 - Recruiting, NIL and Revenue 06:00 - Bison Fans Traveling to Las Vegas 07:43 - Nathan Hayes Taking Over the Offense 08:00 - Replacing Bryce Lance at Receiver 08:43 - Mountain West Offensive Variety 09:57 - Recruiting in New Mountain West Areas 10:53 - Griffin Empey and the Offensive Line 12:18 - Defensive Players to Watch 13:04 - Final Thoughts Follow The Scarlet Standard: Website: https://the-scarlet-standard.com/ [https://the-scarlet-standard.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPBxVqczV4vLqAlivI3FPw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPBxVqczV4vLqAlivI3FPw] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v [https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarlet-standard/id1885404705 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarlet-standard/id1885404705] X/Twitter: https://x.com/SS_MediaLV [https://x.com/SS_MediaLV] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/ [https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/ [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/] #NorthDakotaState #NDSUFootball #TimPolasek #MountainWest #MWFB #CollegeFootball #BisonFootball #FootballMediaDays #TheScarletStandard

Rebel Daily Drive 7.16.2026 | Mountain West Media Days Interview with NIU Head Coach Rob Harley

Northern Illinois interim head coach Rob Harley joins Rebel Daily Drive at 2026 Mountain West Football Media Days in Las Vegas. Harley talks about NIU’s move into the Mountain West, the transition after Thomas Hammock left for the NFL, building the program around an “Us vs. Them” mentality, the difference between midweek MACtion and Saturday football, travel routines, scheduling resume games, the Huskies’ quarterback battle, recruiting geography, new Mountain West venues and defensive players who could take a step forward this season. Tap in for the full interview from Mountain West Football Media Days. 00:00 - Rob Harley Joins Rebel Daily Drive 00:51 - Taking Over After Thomas Hammock 01:57 - “Us vs. Them” and Building the Program 03:02 - Moving From Midweek MACtion to Saturdays 04:30 - Travel, Routine and Mountain West Logistics 04:59 - Scheduling and CFP Resume Games 06:39 - Northern Illinois Quarterback Battle 08:00 - Evaluating Transfer Fits 08:41 - Recruiting Geography in the Mountain West 09:19 - New Mountain West Venues 10:16 - Defensive Players to Watch 10:59 - Final Thoughts Follow The Scarlet Standard: Website: https://the-scarlet-standard.com/ [https://the-scarlet-standard.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPBxVqczV4vLqAlivI3FPw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPBxVqczV4vLqAlivI3FPw] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v [https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarlet-standard/id1885404705 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scarlet-standard/id1885404705] X/Twitter: https://x.com/SS_MediaLV [https://x.com/SS_MediaLV] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/ [https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/ [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/] #NorthernIllinois #NIUFootball #RobHarley #MountainWest #MWFB #CollegeFootball #MACtion #FootballMediaDays #TheScarletStandard

Rebel Daily Drive 7.15.2026 | Mountain West Media Days Interview with EJ Colson & Kam Thomas (UTEP)

The Rebel Daily Drive continues its coverage from the 2026 Mountain West Football Media Days with UTEP quarterback EJ Colson and Miner Back Kam Thomas. Thomas explains the Miner Back position, a hybrid role that allows him to contribute as a receiver, runner and return specialist. After earning All-Conference USA honors as a punt returner in 2024, he enters the season with bigger goals, including becoming an All-American and competing for the Jet Award. Colson discusses his path from UCF to UIW and now UTEP. Moving from the FBS level to the FCS taught him to remain patient, continue working and never take an opportunity for granted. After earning the starting quarterback job following spring practice, Colson says the announcement did not create his confidence. Instead, it confirmed the belief he already had in his ability and gave him another opportunity to prove himself. The Miners open the season against Oklahoma and Michigan, but Colson and Thomas are not approaching either matchup simply hoping to compete. UTEP is preparing to win and believes the early schedule will immediately show what the program can become. The players describe UTEP’s identity as fearless, competitive and disciplined. Their goals extend beyond having a successful first season in the Mountain West. The Miners want to win the conference, become the highest-ranked Group of Five program and compete for a College Football Playoff berth. Thomas also discusses returning to full health after injuries limited him last season. He says he is back to 100 percent and has regained the speed that makes him one of UTEP’s most dangerous offensive and special-teams weapons. Colson explains how his dual-threat ability can affect a defense even when he does not carry the ball. Whether operating inside the pocket, extending plays, running or carrying out a fake, he wants his presence to influence every snap. Thomas praises Colson’s leadership and says the quarterback has helped bring the offense together. He believes UTEP now has a player capable of reading defenses and creating explosive plays with both his arm and legs. The conversation also covers UTEP’s team chemistry and how healthy competition has helped the roster grow closer. The players describe a locker room where teammates push one another during workouts and celebrate each other’s success. Away from football, the Miners build those relationships through cookouts, pool gatherings, games and time together as a team. Tap in for the full UTEP football interview from the 2026 Mountain West Football Media Days. THE SCARLET STANDARD Website: https://the-scarlet-standard.com/ [https://the-scarlet-standard.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScarletStandardMedia [https://www.youtube.com/@ScarletStandardMedia] X: https://x.com/SS_MediaLV [https://x.com/SS_MediaLV] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/ [https://www.instagram.com/ss_medialv/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/ [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scarlet-Standard-LV-61577609316045/] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v [https://open.spotify.com/show/1GJCuyv8rTRu5arNdcjH4v] Subscribe for complete UNLV and Mountain West football coverage, including interviews, analysis, recruiting news and daily updates. #UTEPFootball #UTEPMiners #EJColson #KamThomas #MountainWest #MountainWestFootball #CollegeFootball #RebelDailyDrive