Aug. 17, 2009

CAMP REBEL - For the second time during camp, quarterback Omar Clayton (Normal, IL/ Normal Community HS) and linebacker Jason Beauchamp (San Diego, CA/Steele Canyon HS) earned the Black Jersey. The pair also had the honor back on Aug. 12 during the first off-campus practice and has consistently been among the nominees each day.

Midway through camp, Clayton has looked sharp in leading the Rebel offense while also keeping the team focused during each practice as the team works through the usual aches, bruises and pains everyone is starting to feel.

"It is not hard to get guys motivated, because if you want to win, you have to put in the work," Clayton said. "Camp has gone very well and right now we are focusing on fine tuning the offense and working on little things."

The list of other nominees included running back Channing Trotter (Mesa, AZ/Red Mountain HS) and receiver Rodelin Anthony (Immokalee, FL/Immokalee HS) on offense, and defensive lineman Preston Brooks (Los Angeles, CA/Washington State) and defensive back Calvin Randleman (Huron, OH/Ashland University) on defense.

2009 CAMP REBEL BLACK JERSEY WINNERS

Aug. 10: CB Quinton PointerAug. 11: Travel DayAug. 12: QB Omar Clayton & LB Jason BeauchampAug. 13: WR Rodelin Anthony & DL Martin TevaseuAug. 14: WR Ryan Wolfe & DE Heivaha MafiAug. 15: OL Matt Murphy & DB Alex De GiacomoAug. 16: OL John Gianninoto & LB Beau OrthAug. 17: QB Omar Clayton & LB Jason Beauchamp

RUNNING GAME GETTING GOING: Backed up against its own goal line at the end of the practice, the Rebel running game gave the offense some breathing room against the defense with some impressive runs. Going up against the No. 2 defense, Chris Brogdon (Phoenix, AZ/Desert Vista HS) ripped off a 12-yard run that included carrying safety Travis Dixon (Chandler, AZ/Hamilton HS) the last four yards. Channing Trotter (Mesa, AZ/Red Mountain HS) picked up nearly 10 yards and moved the pile without his helmet on, while Bradley Randle (Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta HS) also had some nice carries during the drill.

"There are two thoughts to that, and one is that the running backs and the offense did a much better job running the football today," head coach Mike Sanford said. "But on the other side of that, the defense did not tackle as well as it needs to today."

That trio, along with redshirt freshman Imari Thompson (DeSoto, TX/Cedar Hill HS) and sophomore C.J. Cox (Garland, TX/North Garland HS), who is recovering from a hamstring injury, is vying for playing time in the Rebel offensive backfield. Sanford said all of them have been performing well, but it is still too early to say who will emerge as the starter, especially with Cox expected to get back into the fold on Friday.

RECEIVING NEWS: Anthony will miss at least a week after the receiver suffered a concussion during Sunday's practice, but the senior leader was out working with the young Rebel pass catchers. Anthony actually finished out practice yesterday after a hard hit, including making a pair of catches during the two-minute drill, but following practice he started to feel some of the symptoms of a concussion.

"I didn't think it was anything serious at first," Anthony said. "We have a great training staff here and they want to make sure it is not something that affects me down the road."

Back on the practice field this morning was Ryan Wolfe (Santa Clarita, CA/Hart HS), who missed yesterday's practice due to sickness. Shifting a little bit further down from the offensive line is freshman Gordy Cooper (San Jacinto, CA/San Jacinto HS), who was moved from tight end to wide receiver.

Also, offensive lineman Doug Zismann (Phoenix, AZ/Shadow Mountain HS) suffered a concussion yesterday.

UP NEXT: The Rebels will hold the second of two practices today, with the squad practicing in shorts and helmets from 5:35 to 7:00 p.m.