Aug. 10, 2006

LAS VEGAS - Day Four of preseason practice saw the entire Rebel roster together for the first time on Thursday. The team worked out under a hot sun through 26 five-minute - and steamy - periods for the only practice of the day.

"It was awesome to get everyone practicing together and we got a lot done," head coach Mike Sanford said. "It was really productive to have all the players on the field at once."

The team will spend the afternoon in meetings and participate in the Rebel Experience orientation and educational sessions at the Lied Athletic Complex on campus.

REBEL CAMP NOTES:

-- Following the lengthy practice session, Sanford and his group of newly named captains (Erick Jackson, Jay Staggs, Marco Guerra and Nate Kenion) quickly showered and got dressed in full uniform for a photo shoot by the Las Vegas Review-Journal for the cover of the newspaper's annual football tab, which will be published later this month.

-- During Thursday's photo shoot at Rebel Park, the four team captains sported the team's new black Nike shoes, which are a big change from the Rebels' white and red cleats from a year ago. "The Leadership Committee brought up the possibility of going to black shoes and we granted the players' request," head coach Mike Sanford said. "That group is involved in many important decisions and also involved with things like our uniforms."

-- UNLV will close its first week of practice on Friday with another morning session (8:55-11:05 a.m.) and will sport full pads for the first time. The practice is open to the public.