Aug. 15, 2007

UNLV PLAYER OF THE DAY:

Frank Summers, RB, 5-10, 240, JR-TR, Oakland (Skyline HS/California/Laney College)

Frank "The Tank" Summers wanted a chance to be a taiback for a Div. I-A school. That's why the big man left his original school, Cal, after redshirting as a blocking back. That's why, after an All-American JC career at Laney College he turned down schools such as USC who wanted him to be their fullback.

Now the midyear signee not only has found a home in the Rebel backfield, but with returning starter David Peeples (N. Las Vegas/Cheyenne HS) missing most of camp after surgery, Summers is simply running wild each day at practice. Whether it's running right through big-bodied defensemen for a first down or busting a move after catching a pass for a long TD, Summers' performance this month would make any Rebel fan ready to see him run with the rock. And that's why he's Wednesday's UNLV Player of the Day.

"Frank is doing very well," says UNLV head coach Mike Sanford. "He brings a physical presence to our offense that has not been here. He's the guy who really makes us a physical offensive football team."

Summers says he's enjoying camp but can't wait for it to end for a very specific reason -- to get on the field at Utah State August 30.

"I've been waiting almost four years for that first carry in a I-A game," he says."I have so much anticipation built up I might take that first carry the distance."

Summers says he's been so successful during this camp because he had the luxury of learning the offense in spring practice after enrolling at UNLV in January.

"It's going great out here because I learned what to do in this offense in the spring so now it is just a question of executing. Now is when I'm polishing it up."

His head coach agrees.

"Frank learned all of our concepts and terminology in the spring and now he is not having to think as much. He's just playing."

And playing as well as anyone dressed in Scarlet and Gray, thanks very much.