March 30, 2007
LAS VEGAS - UNLV football wrapped up its second week of spring practice with an early Friday morning session at Rebel Park under sunny skies and pleasant temperatures following two days of chilly weather.
The decision to practice during the morning was made by the Rebel Leadership Committee, based on the fact that most of the players did not have class and those who did had them in the afternoon, allowing for a morning practice.
Head coach Mike Sanford had the final say in the matter though and it was based on Wednesday's practice.
"With our players' class schedule, we could have gone either in the morning or later in the afternoon today," Sanford said. "The Leadership Committee wanted to go in the morning and I said yes but only if we had a great practice on Wednesday, which we did."
SWITCHING LINES
Sophomore lineman Perry Eppenger is trading in his red practice jersey for a white one, as he is switching positions from defensive tackle to offensive guard to get an opportunity for more playing time. The local product from Cheyenne High School played in seven games last season along the defensive line, recording six total tackles, including one for a loss.
"He (Eppenger) has the opportunity to get a lot of playing time on offense," Sanford said. "He is excited about the switch."
TWO WEEK NOTICABLES
Two weeks into spring practice Sanford said that there are quite of few players on both sides of the ball having strong camps. On offense Sanford said the Rebels whose performances have caught his eye have been running back Frank Summers and quarterback Travis Dixon. Among the bright spots defensively have been junior Jacob Hales, sophomore Starr Fuimaono and junior Geoff Howard.
FACER IN THE CROWD
Booting footballs with the current crop of Rebel kickers on Friday was 2006 first team All-MWC selection Kip Facer, who is working out in anticipation of possibly being selected in the upcoming NFL Draft or getting an invite to an NFL camp.
Facer certainly has the leg for the next level as he led the MWC and ranked seventh in the nation with a punting average of 45.2 last season, becoming the first Rebel punter to be named first team all-league in MWC history. Facer averaged at least 40 yards in 10 games this season, including a career-best 53.0-yard average at Utah on Oct. 28. Against TCU, he booted a career-long 78-yard punt, which tied for second-longest punt in UNLV history and fourth-longest in MWC history. Facer's 42.74-yard career average placed him fourth in school history.
"My agent has been talking with some teams and I am pretty confident that I will get some tryouts at least and that I will be somewhere next fall," Facer said. "I have been kicking almost every day since January and we will see what happens."
Facer and his wife Melanie are also expecting the couple's first child in August.
UP NEXT
After taking the weekend off, UNLV's next spring session will be Monday (April 2) on campus from approximately 3:45 to 5:45 p.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 CHANGE
April 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)
