Aug 19, 2013
ELY (UNLVRebels.com) - The Rebels had their two-a-day practice on Monday here at Broadbent Park.
The team practiced from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. After the morning session the Rebels enjoyed a Mexican lunch that included tacos and rice and beans.
After lunch the team rested before having the afternoon practice that lasted from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. The Rebels then enjoyed barbeque for dinner that included ribs, chicken, corn and vegetables.
O-LINE EXPERIENCE: Last season the Rebel offensive line had to fight through some tough injuries. This season everyone is healthy and UNLV returns its most experienced line in a few years.
"The theme is that we are growing up," offensive line coach Chad Germer said. "Two years ago our core guys were freshmen and last year they were sophomores. Now they are a group of juniors with some other guys around them. With that there are two big things: they are maturing and our depth has improved."
Two of those juniors, Brett Boyko and Robert Waterman, sat out the spring practices as they recovered from offseason surgeries. That gave the Rebels an opportunity for other players to gain valuable experience during the spring.
"Looking back on having those two guys out for the spring was big for our younger guys," Germer said. "It forced all of our guys to get more reps. They all had to pick up the slack and a lot of guys grew this spring. So far this fall, they have picked up where they left off."
Cameron Jefferson, who started all 13 games for the Rebels last season, returns for his junior campaign while Ron Scoggins, who started 10 games as a true freshman, also returns to the offensive line.
Former tight end Nick Gstrein made the move to the offensive line last spring to add depth for the Rebels.
"I am really excited about Nick," Germer said. "He brings some athleticism and a lot of personality and demeanor that is really good for us. He has bought in to it, is moving around and is having fun out there. I have really enjoyed working with him."
Also competing for playing time on the line this fall will be Brian Roth, Andrew Oberg, Brad Overand, Eric Noone, Chris Lopez, C.J. Backlund, J'Ondray Sanders, Doug Saeks, Patrick Carroll, Aleks Vekic, Tom Clarkson, Bobby Alvarez and Kyle Saxelid.
NEXT UP: UNLV will have its final afternoon practice in Ely on Tuesday. The Rebels' practice will start at 2:15 p.m. The team will wrap up its stint in Ely on Wednesday with a scrimmage before returning to Las Vegas.
