March 28, 2008
LAS VEGAS - UNLV football wrapped up the second week of spring practice with 24 five-minute sessions on a perfect Friday morning at Rebel Park, and the final six periods featured the first live scrimmage of the spring.
The offense lined up and went at the defense for close to 32 plays to close out the practice, and there were several highlights on both sides of the line during the high-energy scrum.
Bruising running back Frank Summers (Oakland, CA/Laney College) ripped off back-to-back runs early on that netted the Rebels 11 yards and a first down behind the UNLV offensive line. The Rebel defense also produced several bright spots, paced by the secondary that came away with two interceptions on the day. The first was by Ryan Tillman (Rialto, CA/Rialto HS) and near the end of the scrimmage Rico Thomas (Oakland, CA/McClymonds HS) stepped in front of a pass and had a nice return
"I love the attitude and enthusiasm of the team right now," UNLV head coach Mike Sanford said. "The live scrimmage was really good. Before in practice it was all situational stuff, and this was the first time we have lined up and went live and actually moved the ball down the field."
Also out on the field were officials, the first time this spring that flags were thrown and penalties were called out by someone other than the coaching staff, providing a great teaching opportunity for the Rebels.
"We have got to tackle better and we also have to eliminate mistakes on offense, such as false starts, and having officials out there helps," Sanford said. "We have a sense of urgency to fix those mistakes now and eliminate things like that which will get you beat during the season."
THE BLACK JERSEY
Donning THE BLACK JERSEY on Friday morning was junior wide receiver Rodelin Anthony (Immokalee, FL/Immokalee HS), becoming the first offensive player to earn the dark garb thus far in spring practice. Other candidates for the jersey were sophomore offensive lineman Evan Marchal (Peta Luma, CA/Casa Grande HS) and sophomore defensive back Quinton Pointer (Cape Coral, FL/Mariner HS).
"Anthony has practiced very hard and has had a productive spring," Sanford said. "He stood out above everyone else following Wednesday's practice."
THE BLACK JERSEY is worn by the previous practice's top performer and the coaching staff votes on the winner.
PREVIOUS BLACK JERSEY WINNERS Practice 3: Jacob Hales Practice 4: Jacob Hales Practice 5: Rodelin Anthony
SEEN AT REBEL PARK
Former UNLV linebacker Beau Bell was back on campus Friday, taking in practice at Rebel Park following his trip to the NFL Combine, which was Feb. 21-24 in Indianapolis, Ind. The 2007 Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year went through the interview process with close to 16 teams and also participated in the bench press workout while he was there.
Bell said he had watched it before on TV and he had talked to former UNLV standouts Ryan Claridge and Adam Seward about the process, so he had an idea of what to expect when he got there. "It was fun to meet a lot of the player you played against and also watched on TV," Bell said. "It was very long though, especially the mental part of it and all the interviews. I really can't describe how long it was, but it was a great experience."
UP NEXT
UNLV's next practice will be Monday (March 31) at Rebel Park and is scheduled to last from approximately 4:00-6:00 p.m. All practices this spring are free and open to the public but visitors must stay in the designated viewing areas on the grass practice field.
Fans are also invited to attend the FREE Scarlet vs. Gray spring game on April 18 at Sam Boyd Stadium from approximately 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
UNLV 2008 SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE - OPEN TO THE PUBLICPLEASE NOTE: ALL DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGEMarch 31 Monday Practice 7 Pads 4:00-6:00 pmApril 2 Wednesday Practice 8 Pads 4:00-6:00 pmApril 4 Friday Practice 9 Scrimmage 4:00-6:00 pm (Coaches' Clinic 9:00 a.m.- 8 p.m.)April 7 Monday Practice 10 Pads 4:00-6:00 pmApril 9 Wednesday Practice 11 Pads 4:00-6:00 pmApril 11 Friday Practice 12 Scrimmage 6:00-8:00 pm (Alumni Night Event 5:00)April 14 Monday Practice 13 Pads 4:00-6:00 pmApril 16 Wednesday Practice 14 Pads 4:00-6:00 pmApril 18 Friday Practice 15 SPRING GAME 6:00 pm at Sam Boyd (Team BBQ at 7:30 pm at Sam Boyd)
