April 11, 2006
LAS VEGAS - Finally enjoying nice weather conditions, the UNLV football team returned to Rebel Park for its final week of spring practice on Tuesday and Practice 12 featured some spirited coaching from head man Mike Sanford and his staff.
"When you have a scrimmage on Friday followed by a weekend off, you sometimes get a drop off in focus from your team and we felt we had to make sure that didn't happen to us out there today," Sanford said.
Even with this upcoming Friday's big Scarlet vs. Gray Spring Game looming, Sanford said drills today and tomorrow are still about September.
"We won't really start thinking about the Spring Game until Thursday," he said. "Right now we are still out here installing formations and plays you'll see in games this fall. These are definitely practices to get ready for the season."
Asked to name a Tuesday standout, Sanford cited young receiver Justin Marvel (San Bernardino, CA/Arroyo Valley HS), who has turned in some head-turning plays despite coming off a shoulder injury suffered last season. "Even though he is limited in action right now, Justin is really showing a lot out here and means good things him in the fall."
Wednesday will mark the final full practice of spring ball as Thursday will have the players in shorts for a walk-through situation. Friday's finale event kicks off at Sam Boyd Stadium at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Fans are also invited to remain after the game (approximately 7:30 p.m.) for a BBQ catered by Memphis Championship Barbecue. When purchased in advance, tickets for the meal are $12 for adults, $8 for kids age 12-and-younger and current UNLV students with valid school ID. Meal prices will be $15 and $10 on the day of the event. Advance tickets for the BBQ can be purchased in person at the Thomas & Mack Center box office through Thursday (10 a.m. through 6 p.m.).
UNLV opens its 2006 season on Sept. 2 when it hosts Idaho State. Season tickets for the program's six-game home schedule are on sale now by calling 739-FANS.
The following Rebels graded out at a championship-level at last Friday's scrimmage:
APRIL 7 SCRIMMAGE CHAMPIONSDefense
DE Jacob Hales (Las Vegas/Las Vegas HS)DB Eric Wright (San Francisco/Riordan HS)DB Mil'Von James (Los Angeles/Fremont HS)DB Jay Staggs (Goleta, CA/Dos Pueblos HS)
OffenseOL Marco Guerra (Los Angeles/Fremont HS)QB Rocky Hinds (Los Angeles/St. Bernard HS)WR Casey Flair (Anchorage, AK/East HS)WR Corey Anderson (Lake Balboa, CA/Birmingham HS)
REMAINING SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULEApril 12 Wednesday Practice 13 Pads 4:00-6:15 pmApril 13 Thursday Practice 14 No Pads 4:25-6:45 pmApril 14 Friday SPRING GAME 6:00 pm at Sam Boyd StadiumApril 14 Friday TEAM BBQ 7:30 pm at Sam Boyd Stadium
