April 24, 2006
LAS VEGAS - In the final installment of our spring practice wrap-up, we take a look at UNLV's special teams, which are home to the most solidified position on the squad - place-kicker.
Through his two seasons on the field, junior-to-be Sergio Aguayo (San Jacinto, CA/San Jacinto HS) already has compiled a list of honors and accomplishment as long as his talented leg. After another strong spring that saw him boot 35- and 46-yard field goals in the Gray's 16-14 victory in the annual spring game on April 14, he remains on target to own every scoring and kicking record in program history.
The two-time Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Week in 2005, Aguayo twice kicked game-winning field goals, including nailing two 52-yarders vs. San Diego State. Both efficient and proficient, Aguayo could be the team's best shot at national honors this fall.
"We have a very good kicker that I feel great about," head coach Mike Sanford said. "We have to score more touchdowns in the red zone this year, but I feel really good about Sergio anywhere from the 35-yard-line in. We know he can hit in the 50s."
While Aguayo stands alone on the depth chart, there are two Rebel punters competing for time in 2006. In an unusual situation, last year's starter, Kip Facer (Rancho Palos Verde, CA/Peninsula HS/Dixie State), got permission to miss spring practice but returned top compete in the spring game and will be the No. 1 man when camp begins in August. The teammate he beat out for starting duties a year ago, Brian Pacheco (Peoria, AZ/St. Mary's HS/Glendale CC) got most of the work in the spring and, after redshirting in 2005, will push Facer for field time.
After a sub-par year in the return game, UNLV welcomes a host of challengers for the job on both punts and kickoffs. Senior defensive back John Guice (Atlanta, GA/Creekside HS/Grossmont College) and sophomore wide receiver Casey Flair (Anchorage, AK/East HS) are the top candidates for punt returner while at kickoff return, veteran running back Erick Jackson (Palmdale, CA/Paraclete HS) will be joined by DB Eric Wright (San Francisco, CA/Riordan HS), RB Ronnie Smith (Carson, CA/Narbonne HS) and WR Aaron Straiten (Antioch, CA/Antioch HS/City College of San Francisco) when he gets here in the fall. Providing an exciting glimpse to Rebel fans, Wright returned the one and only kickoff of the spring game for a 95-yard touchdown.
Overall, Sanford said his second spring practice leading UNLV was a successful next step in turning the Rebels into consistent winners.
"I feel really good about spring because we have seen tremendous improvement in how we are doing things," he said. "Last year the players were just trying to figure out what they were doing. Now they understand what they're doing and understand why they're doing it. Now we as coaches just have to get them to do it right every time. There's no question that his year -- mentally -- we're a better team."
UNLV opens its 2006 season on Sept. 2 when it hosts Idaho State at 7 p.m. PDT. Season tickets for the program's six-game home schedule are on sale now by calling 739-FANS.
