April 14, 2008

LAS VEGAS - Strong winds and warm temperatures greeted UNLV football as it began the final week of spring drills on Monday at Rebel Park, but the Rebels fought through the less-than ideal conditions and had a strong practice.

Wind gusts blew through practice at up to 40 MPH at times and the temperature hovered in the high 80s during the session, which lasted 18 five-minute periods.

"It was not a very good weather day for practice, but that is something that we told our team they must work through," UNLV head coach Mike Sanford said. "Playing in the conference we do, there are going to be games in bad weather and we have to concentrate and perform despite that."

Despite the adverse conditions, the Rebels were able to accomplish quite a bit in the shortened workout, including a lot of goal line work and clock management situations.

One of the main drills was a four-minute drill, where the offense had the ball and the lead with the goal of running out the clock while the defense needed to make a stop and get the ball back. Sanford and his staff also lead their charges through several two-minute offense drills toward the end of practice.

Another area that is getting a lot of work is the quarterback-center exchange, which is pivotal in the Rebel Shotgun Spread offense. Although projected center John Gianninoto (Tucson, AZ/Catlina Foothills HS) is out this spring due to injury, Sanford said the snaps must get better, no matter who is at center.

"I am a little disappointed right now in our center to quarterback exchanges," Sanford said. "We have to solve that problem. We are playing some different guys there, and while we are developing depth at center, we need to get that fixed."

THE BLACK JERSEY

For the first time this spring, there were two winners of THE BLACK JERSEY following last Friday's scrimmage. The honorees wearing the special garment on Monday were senior wide receiver Renan Saint Preux (Immokalee, FL/Immokalee HS) and sophomore defensive lineman Isaako Aaitui (Pago Pago, America Samoa/Faga'itua HS).

Saint Preux had a strong scrimmage on Friday, hauling in three catches for 66 yards, including an 11-yard TD reception and dazzling 36-yard grab down the left side line. Aaitui was very disruptive along the defensive line for the Rebel defense.

"Renan had a very strong scrimmage and was really deserving of it," Sanford said. "Isaako also performed well on Friday and had the best scrimmage since he has been here."

The other nominee for the jersey was offensive lineman Matt Murphy (Lake Forest, CA/El Toro HS).

THE BLACK JERSEY is worn by the previous practice's top performer and the coaching staff votes on the winner.

PREVIOUS BLACK JERSEY WINNERSPractice 3: Jacob Hales, DLPractice 4: Jacob Hales, DLPractice 5: Rodelin Anthony, WRPractice 6: Quinton Pointer, DBPractice 7: Frank Summers, RBPractice 8: Malo Taumua, DLPractice 9: Jacob Hales, DLPractice 10: Thor Pili, DLPractice 11: Daryl Forte, SPractice 12: Renan Saint Preux, WR & Isaako Aaitui, DL

UNLV's next practice will be Wednesday (April 16) at Rebel Park and is scheduled to last from approximately 4:00-6:00 p.m. (PDT). 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 CHANGEApril 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)