March 30, 2009
LAS VEGAS - UNLV football was back to work on Monday afternoon at Rebel Park on a sunny but sometimes cool afternoon following the Rebels' first scrimmage of the spring last Friday morning.
The Rebels went through 24 five-minute sessions in full gear and looked especially crisp during the workout.
Head coach Mike Sanford and his staff looked over the scrimmage tape with critical eyes and Sanford picked out a trio of positives, as well as three areas that need to improve.
On the positive side Sanford like the play of the interior defensive line, especially Malo Taumua (Honolulu, HI/Aiea HS), who created a lot of havoc during his time on the field. Also on the defensive side of the ball, Sanford thought the defensive backs made a lot of plays, and overall he thought the scrimmage was very physical, much to his liking.
"Malo really played well, which was good to see," Sanford said. "I thought it was very physical, which is something that I think we need to continue to improve on."
As with any coaching staff, with the good came areas that Sanford feels the Rebels need to improve on, and the top two of the list would be to improve the depth along the interior of the defensive and offensive lines. Sanford also said there were too many turnovers by the offense, which he was not pleased with.
"Last year we were very good at taking care of the ball and we have to make sure we continue to do that," Sanford said.
THE BLACK JERSEY
After looking over the scrimmage tape, the coaching staff's choices for the Black Jersey were Taumua on defense and junior quarterback Les Obie (Huntington Beach, CA/Golden West College) on offense. Also considered were Jason Beauchamp (San Diego, CA/Steele Canyon HS) and Warren Zeigler (San Leandro, CA/College of San Mateo) from the defense, and wide receiver Jerriman Robinson (Rialto, CA/Texas Southern).
The defensive Black Jersey is quickly becoming a fixture for Taumua, who won it for the second straight week and third time overall in spring camp. Taumua was all over the field during Friday's scrimmage, pressuring the Rebels' quarterbacks.
The offensive selection was a bit of a surprise going off of the depth chart, but Obie, who is the third-string signal caller, had a strong performance in the scrimmage. The only live quarterback during the scrum, Obie took several hard hits but showed no ill effects, leading the offense on a couple nice drives and tossing the only TD of the scrimmage.
"It is nice to be recognized by the coaching staff and to get the Black Jersey," Obie said. "I am just trying to help out the team however I can."
THE BLACK JERSEY is worn by the previous practice's top performer and the coaching staff votes on the winner.
PREVIOUS BLACK JERSEY WINNERS
March 16: Martin Tevaseu, DLMarch 18: Malo Taumua, DL, and Rodelin Anthony, WRMarch 21: Preston Brooks, DL, and Omar Clayton, QBMarch 23: Nate Carter, LB, and Michael Johnson, WRMarch 25: Jason Beauchamp, LB and Matt Murphy, OLMarch 27: Malo Taumua, DL, and Channing Trotter, RBMarch 30: Malo Taumua, DL, and Les Obie, QB
UP NEXT
UNLV's next practice will be Wednesday (April 1) on campus and it 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 17 at Sam Boyd Stadium from approximately 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
UNLV 2009 SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE - OPEN TO THE PUBLICPLEASE NOTE: ALL DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
April 1 Wednesday Practice 11 Pads 4:00-6:00 pmApril 3 Friday Practice 12 Scrimmage 8:15-10:15 amApril 6-10 Spring Break - No PracticesApril 13 Monday Practice 13 Pads 4:00-6:00 pmApril 15 Wednesday Practice 14 No Pads 4:00-6:00 pmApril 17 Friday Practice 15 SPRING GAME 6:00 pm at Sam Boyd (Team BBQ at 7:30 pm at Sam Boyd)
