April 3, 2009
LAS VEGAS - Among increasing winds and cool temperatures, the UNLV football team staged its second scrimmage of the spring on Friday before heading into spring break.
The Rebels put in 24 lively periods of work before coaches released the players for vacation. The team will return for two final practices on April 13 and 15 before the annual Scarlet & Gray Spring Game is played on Friday April 17 at Sam Boyd Stadium.
"Four weeks into spring, I feel good about what we have done and how we've done it," said UNLV head coach Mike Sanford. "We go into spring break healthy, which we want to continue. Overall, I can say that we are very much ahead of where we were last year at this time."
Some veteran offensive players were among Friday's bright spots at Rebel Park. The first score came on a nice 16-yard dash to end zone by C.J. Cox (Garland, TX/North Garland HS), who is trying to earn the squad's staring spot at tailback. Later, QB Mike Clausen (Riverside, CA/North HS) found senior Rodelin Anthony (Immokalee, FL/Immokalee HS) for a couple of nice pass completions, including a 12-yard touchdown.
Malo Taumua (Honolulu, HI/A'iea HS) and Isaako Aaitui (Pago Pago, American Samoa/Faga'itua HS) combined for big sack of starting QB Omar Clayton (Normal, IL/Normal Community HS) before Clayton hooked up with Phillip Payne (Las Vegas/Western HS) for a 50-yard score. Another highlight was a stunning 17-yard rush by Channing Trotter (Mesa, AZ/Red Mountain HS) that saw the hard-charging junior get the sideline excited by breaking multiple tackles and gaining his last few yards after his helmet had come off.
"That was just a tremendous run by Channing Trotter," Sanford said.
SO LONG LARUSSA
After the scrimmage, the staff announced to the team that Friday was the final Rebel practice for graduate assistant coach Andy LaRussa. The popular coach has been hired as an assistant by Big Sky Conference member Northern Arizona University and starts his new job in Flagstaff on Sunday.
THE BLACK JERSEY
Senior DT Martin Tevaseu (Boonville, CA/Anderson Valley HS/Santa Rosa JC) was a repeat pick (March 16) to wear the coveted Black Jersey during Friday's scrimmage. The former Arizona State signee joined the Rebels during preseason camp last year and made an immediate impact spelling Jacob Hales in the interior. He looks to secure a starting spot this season after turning in an outstanding spring.
On the offensive side, preseason All-MWC candidate Joe Hawley (Yorba Linda, CA/Esperanza HS) wore black after a solid Wednesday performance. Hawley has started at both center and guard during his three years but the staff is hoping he will anchor the team's offensive line at right guard as a senior.
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, DL March 18: Malo Taumua, DL, and Rodelin Anthony, WR March 21: Preston Brooks, DL, and Omar Clayton, QB March 23: Nate Carter, LB, and Michael Johnson, WR March 25: Jason Beauchamp, LB and Matt Murphy, OL March 27: Malo Taumua, DL, and Channing Trotter, RB March 30: Malo Taumua, DL, and Les Obie, QB April 1: Ronnie Paulo, LB, and Phillip Payne, WR April 3: Martin Tevaseu, DL, and Joe Hawley, OL
UP NEXT
UNLV's next practice will be Monday April 13 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 CHANGEApril 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)
