Feb. 28, 2011

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - It was chilly in Las Vegas on Monday but it sure looked like spring out at Rebel Park as the UNLV football team held its first of 15 spring practices.

After a two-hour session, second-year head coach Bobby Hauck told the media that his team has to get the kinks worked out quickly.

"It was good today, everyone looks a little rusty, including me," Hauck said. "But the enthusiasm was there, which is it should be. We have a great opportunity this spring to get better and with the chance for so many younger players to play significant roles, it's critical that we do improve during spring."

TAYLOR MADE FOR OFFENSE?

One former top recruit was wearing a different colored jersey on Monday as Taylor Spencer looked impressive lining up at receiver. The Bishop Gorman High School product played both ways for the Gaels but spent his first season at UNLV practicing at safety while redshirting. As a high school receiver, Spencer caught 19 passes for 424 yards and five TDs as a senior and 26 for 585 and 10 scores as a junior.

"Spring's a good time to experiment and we're always trying to find ways for people to get playing time," Hauck said. "We have to see (if it's a permanent move to offense) but he looked more natural out there at receiver."

BATTLE BORN BECOMES CARTER ADMINISTRATION

Veteran linebacker Nate Carter showed off a new number Monday as the senior from Las Vegas High School became the second Rebel to proudly wear the Battle Born Jersey Number 36. After wearing No. 55 for his first three seasons, Carter now wears the 36 that fellow-backer Ronnie Paulo wore in 2010.

In 1864, Nevada became the 36th state to enter the union, and the state's official slogan, which also appears on the state flag, is "Battle Born," reflecting the state's entry on the Union side during the American Civil War. Rebel Football Jersey No. 36 -- complete with a patch displaying the state flag on the back of the game jersey, will be worn by a Nevadan who best exemplifies the Battle Born spirit of his state and the toughness and pride of Rebel Football. As a junior, Carter earned his second straight Special Teams MVP nod after continuing to show he is one of the Mountain West Conference's hardest hitters on kick coverage. He totaled 36 tackles in 2010 and also led to a Rebel touchdown when he blocked a punt at Utah that was returned for a score.

UP NEXT

The Rebels are right back on the field for practices Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. Fans are invited to attend but please note that the use of cell phones or other mobile communication devices is not allowed while at Rebel Park.

UNLV 2011 SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE - OPEN TO THE PUBLICPLEASE NOTE: ALL DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGEMarch 1  Tuesday   Practice 2   No Pads         3:45-6:00 pmMarch 3  Thursday  Practice 3   Pads            3:45-6:00 pmMarch 4  Friday    Practice 4   Pads            3:45-6:00 pmMarch 7  Monday    Practice 5   Pads            3:45-6:00 pmMarch 8  Tuesday   Practice 6   Pads            3:45-6:00 pmMarch 10 Thursday  Practice 7   Pads            3:45-6:00 pmMarch 11 Friday    Practice 8   Scrimmage       3:45-6:00 pmMarch 14-18        Spring Break No PracticesMarch 22 Tuesday   Practice 9   Pads            3:45-6:00 pmMarch 23 Wednesday Practice 10  Pads            3:45-6:00 pmMarch 25 Friday    Practice 11  Pads            3:45-6:00 pmMarch 26 Saturday  Practice 12  Scrimmage/Coach Clinic  9:45-11:30 amMarch 29 Tuesday   Practice 13  Pads            3:45-6:00 pmMarch 31 Thursday  Practice 14  No Pads         3:45-6:00 pmApril 2  Saturday  Practice 15  SPRING SHOWCASE 10:00 am at Rebel Park