March 28, 2007
LAS VEGAS - Unusually cold spring Las Vegas temperatures greeted UNLV's football team at Rebel Park for what was practice session number five on Wednesday.
With last week's temperatures well above normal, head coach Mike Sanford joked that his team has been able to practice in all of its opponents' climates for next season.
"We've already experienced a lot of ups and downs this spring weather-wise," Sanford said. "Today was a good practice. After the offense `won' on Monday, the defense came out today and did a nice job."
Sanford announced that Friday's practice has been moved from the late afternoon to 9-11 a.m. on the field.
"The Leadership Committee came to me with the idea and we let the team vote on it and I said depending on how practice went, we'd do it. No one has any classes early on Friday so it allows us a morning session during the week."
KNOCK ON WOOD
Sanford said the only significant injury so far this spring is rookie defensive end Daniel Mareko. "Mareko's left knee looks like it will need to be scoped."
ON SPECIAL
The competition is on to replace four-year long-snapper Ryan Heise, who was nearly perfect during his Rebel career. The candidates are fullback Kamu Kapanui, defensive lineman Malo Tamua and walk-on fullback Eric Braner who is a rookie out of Las Vegas' Del Sol High School.
Also up for grabs, so to speak, is the all-important spot of holder on kicks. Punter Brian Pacheco, receiver Ryan Wolfe and quarterbacks Travis Dixon and Dack Ishii all will have a hand in deciding the position.
VALUABLE VISITOR
Spotted at UNLV's practice on Wednesday was former linebacker Zach Bell, who suited up for the Rebels from 2001-04. Now an account specialist for Coors of Las Vegas, Bell was checking up on younger brother Beau, who will head into his senior season as an NFL prospect. "I'm here looking at the whole defense, the entire team actually," the elder Bell said. "Really looking forward to the season already."
UP NEXT
UNLV's next practice is on Friday (March 30) on campus. The session, which will have the players in pads, is scheduled to last from approximately 9-11 a.m. All practices this spring are free and open to the public. Fans are also invited to attend the FREE Scarlet vs. Gray spring game on April 20 at Sam Boyd Stadium from approximately 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
UNLV 2007 SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
PLEASE NOTE: ALL DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGEMarch 30 Friday Practice 6 Pads 9-11 amApril 2 Monday Practice 7 Pads 3:45-5:45 pmApril 4 Wednesday Practice 8 Pads 3:45-5:45 pmApril 6 Friday Practice 9 Scrimmage 4:00-6:00 pm (Coaches' Clinic 9:30 a.m.- 9 p.m.)April 9 Monday Practice 10 Pads 3:45-5:45 pmApril 11 Wednesday Practice 11 Pads 3:45-5:45 pmApril 13 Friday Practice 12 Scrimmage 4:00-6:00 pm (Football Alumni BBQ 6:00-7:30 pm)April 16 Monday Practice 13 Pads 3:45-5:45 pmApril 18 Wednesday Practice 14 No Pads 3:45-5:45 pmApril 20 Friday Practice 15 SPRING GAME 6:00 pm at Sam Boyd (Team BBQ at 7:30 pm at Sam Boyd)
