Aug. 16, 2007
UNLV football's season opener is two weeks from today at Utah State and on this Thursday the Rebels went through 26 hard, physical and up-tempo periods in the sqaud's only practice of the day.
Following a shortened evening practice last night, the Rebels crisply went through each five-minute session with a lot of emphasis placed on individual drills early, followed by a lot of 11-on-11 work later in the morning.
"We are starting to get a little sense of urgency about us as a football team," offensive coordinator Todd Berry said. "It (the season opener) still kind of seems like it is an eternity away since we are at the midpoint of camp, but we are working the players hard everyday in practice, preparing them for it."
The Rebel offense went against the defense in a two-minute drill at the end of practice, with head coach Mike Sanford putting the ball at the 30-yard line with 1:30 on the clock.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Travis Dixon (Chandler, AZ/Hamilton HS) moved the ball into defensive territory using both his arm (three completions) and his feet (pair of scrambles). With the clock under 20 seconds Dixon went to the end zone but was picked off by freshman safety Shane Horton (Chatsworth, CA/Notre Dame HS), ending the drive and practice.
Following a lunch of chicken, salad and baked beans, the players were scheduled to rest for and hour before lifting and attending meetings the rest of the afternoon.
"We are getting a lot done and I like the attitude and leadership on this team," Sanford said. "These practices have been the most physical and intense since I have been here. I like our team."
REBEL CAMP NOTES:
NEW FACES SETTLING IN: New Rebel assistants Todd Berry and Dennis Therrell are more than comfortable in their new surroundings as UNLV hits the midway point of Fall Camp. Berry, the team's new offensive coordinator, and Therrell, who coaches the Rebel linebackers, went through spring practice with UNLV. The moving though is a constant for every coach, something that veteran coaches such as Berry and Therrell are accustomed to.
"I have had a lot of practice doing this and the big thing is my wife has been amazing through it all," Berry said. "The adjustment has been great. For coaches football is our life and we are always thinking about it, no matter where we are at."
