Aug. 24, 2006

LAS VEGAS - UNLV football ran a tightly controlled scrimmage Thursday night in preparation for the upcoming season as Rebel head coach Mike Sanford saw his team through scripted situations at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Dressed in full pads and working out as a team for the first time since spending 13 days at an off-campus site in the preseason, the Rebels looked tough on defense but still made too many mistakes for their head coach's taste.

"We got a lot done tonight but I sure am glad we have nine more days to get ready for the season," Sanford said. "I thought we were very competitive but we have to play better and faster. We also have to keep from turning the ball over like we did tonight."

Starting quarterback Rocky Hinds had a slow start in his first action at his home stadium, but threw two touchdowns late in the scrimmage during two goal-line sets. He finished the night 8-20 with 67 yards and one interception. Senior signal caller Shane Steichen was 4-11 through the air for 45 yards and one touchdown.

"I feel we did great as a team," Hinds said. "We have to keep getting better but I would give us about a `B' tonight."

Sophomore running back David Peeples led the team in rushing, carrying the ball nine times for 38 yards. Ronnie Smith recorded the team's lone rushing score with a one-yard burst and he finished the evening with 12 yards on four carries. Chris Butler, Marques Johnson and Ryan Wolfe were on the receiving end of short touchdown tosses and Butler led the Rebel wide outs with three grabs for 17 yards and the score.

Defensively the Rebels flew to the ball and were hounding the quarterbacks, registering six sacks, including a pair by Robert Travers Jr. at defensive end. Will Tagoai added seven tackles while Daryl Forte had an interception to go along with two takedowns.

All UNLV practices are now closed to the public, however, the team will hold a sneak peak dress rehearsal on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. (PT) at Sam Boyd Stadium that is free and open to the public.

The Rebels open their season at home on Sept. 2 against Idaho State at 7:00 p.m. Season and single-game tickets are on sale now by calling (702) 739-FANS or logging on to unlvrebels.com.

SCRIMMAGE STATISTICS

PASSING     ATT       COMP     YARDS    TD        INTRocky Hinds         20        8        67       2         1Shane Steichen      11        4        45       1         0Jarrod Jackson      5         4        16       0         0Travis Dixon        3         1         4       0         0
RUSHING            ATT      YDS     TDDavid Peeples         9        38      0Rocky Hinds           7        -17     0Ronnie Smith          5        12      1Erick Jackson         4        14      0Shane Steichen        3        10      0Chris Brogdon         3        3       0Travis Dixon          3        -10     0Jarrod Jackson        1        16      0
RECEIVING            REC             YDS             TDChris Butler          3               17              1Renan Saint Preux       2               23              0Rodelin Anthony         2               14              0Marques Johnson         2               9               1Ronnie Smith            2               6               0Channing Trotter        1               25              0Casey Flair             1               17              0Erick Jackson           1               10              0Justin Marvel           1               9               0Ryan Wolfe              1               4               1Royce  Campbell          1               4               0

DEFENSIVE LEADERS

Will Tagoai - 7 tacklesJohn Guice - 3 tackles, 1 sackDaryl Forte - 2 tackles, 1 interceptionStarr Fuimaono - 3 tackles, 1 sackRobert Travers Jr. - 2 tackles, 2 sacks

KICKING LEADERS Sergio Aguayo 2-2 FG (33, 32) Kip Facer 4-52.75 Brian Pacheco 3-50.0