Aug. 20, 2012
ELY, Nev. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV football team held its last two-a-day practice in Ely on Monday. The team will have one more practice on Tuesday before the final scrimmage on Wednesday. After the scrimmage the team will return to Las Vegas.
The sun was out all day on Monday, which this season has been a rarity in Ely. The Rebels spent the morning in half-pads before returning to Broadbent Park in the afternoon to practice in full pads.
After the afternoon session, the Rebels enjoyed a barbeque platter that included ribs, chicken, baked beans and green beans.
UNLV returns to Broadbent Park on Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. for its final afternoon practice in Ely.
SPECIAL VISITORS IN ELY
The UNLV football team was joined in practice with three new visitors. Athletic Director Jim Livengood and Senior Associate ADs D.J. Allen and Julio Freire made the 240-mile trek north. The three plan to stay until the scrimmage on Wednesday.
LINING UP THE LINEBACKERS
The UNLV linebackers come into the season with high hopes. Senior John Lotulelei and junior Tani Maka lead a charge inside, but because of depth there will be some rotation.
"Obviously there are some guys that have played," inside linebackers coach Tim Hundley said. "Overall though, it is a bunch of guys that want to get to the highest level. They play at a high tempo, they are fast and there are more than two of them. We will have a chance to rotate guys and keep people fresh, and that is a good thing for us."
The outside linebacker position in UNLV's defense is set up to be a playmaking position, but with that comes more responsibility. Anchoring the outside backers are senior Princeton Jackson and junior Tim Hasson.
"As this defense is set up, this is a spot that is highlighted," outside linebackers coach Kraig Paulson said. "They have to do all three things: they have to rush well as we send them to the quarterback, they have to cover well and play the run well, so they have to get off blocks. It is a guy that is a hybrid safety. Most of the guys came from the safety pool, but they just outgrew it. It's a guy who has some coverage skills, but he has to be a line of scrimmage guy and can blitz as well."
PRO-REBEL FORCES
As of August 20, eight former Rebels were still active in NFL camps. Eric Wright (at UNLV 2005-06) is a starting cornerback for Tampa Bay after signing a big free-agent deal with the Bucs in the off-season.
Joe Hawley (2006-09) heads into his third season in Atlanta and is listed as the No. 2 center for the Falcons.
Run-stopper Martin Tevaseu (2008-09) is currently listed as the No. 3 nose tackle with the New York Jets and big blocker Matt Murphy (2007-10) is trying to make the Cincinnati Bengals and is currently third on the team's official depth chart at right guard.
Another former Reb, Isaako Aaitui (2007-10), is now healthy and doing his best to make Miami as a defensive tackles. Not only has "Tui" showed up in multiple spots on the "Hard Knocks" weekly training camp series currently running on HBO, but he also got a quarterback sack in the Dolphins' game vs. Carolina over the weekend.
Also, a trio of rookies from last year's UNLV team are still in their respective NFL camps: cornerback Quinton Pointer had a tackle for St. Louis in the Rams' game vs. Kansas City on Saturday; fellow-corner Deante' Purvis recorded a solo stop for San Francisco in the 49ers' game vs. Houston this weekend; and receiver Phillip Payne did not record a catch in San Diego's most recent game but did haul in a 14-yard reception in the opening week for the Chargers earlier in the month.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Individual tickets for all seven of UNLV's 2012 home football games are now on sale, while season tickets for the Rebels are also still available.
Prices are $40 on the sidelines, $25 in the end zone and $19 in the Value Zone for six of the seven games. There is special pricing for the Battle for the Fremont Cannon vs. Nevada, Reno on Oct. 13 ($50/$30/$25). Additional fees may apply.
Season tickets for 2012 cost $215 on the sidelines (additional RAF donation required in certain areas) and $115 in the end zone. A limited number of Value Zone Season Tickets are available in the North end of Sam Boyd Stadium for just $90.
There is also a special "4-for-3" season ticket offer in the Value Zone for new season ticket purchasers allowing a fan to purchase four Value Zone Season Tickets for the price of three ($270). This is a limited time offer, while supplies last.
Log on to www.unlvtickets.com or call (702) 739-FANS (3267) to buy yours today or for more information regarding ticket offers and group pricing. For more information on Rebel football, visit www.unlvrebels.com.
