April 11, 2014
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -
Photo Gallery | Showcase Highlight Video | Full Spring Showcase Video
Playing under a beautifully colored sky in front of a crowd of 2,000 fans and with a background of the World Famous Las Vegas Strip, the UNLV football team closed its 2014 spring practice session with the annual Showcase Friday evening.
With a move across campus from the Rebel Park practice fields to the school's soccer stadium -- Peter Johann Memorial Field -- the setting proved a winner, as did Team Gray, which downed Team Scarlet 20-13 behind the rushing of senior running back Adonis Smith. The former Northwestern transfer, who rushed for only 70 yards and a pair of touchdowns last fall for his new team, led the way tonight with 83 yards on just seven carries. His efforts ended with a game-winning nine-yard scamper into the end zone after a previous 55-yard scoring jaunt.
Redshirt freshman Henri Jussila, out of Finland, opened the scoring with a nine-yard TD for the Gray. After Smith's first touchdown made it 14-0, junior quarterback Nick Sherry, who hit five of his seven pass attempts for 69 yards, found Aaron Criswell for a nine-yard score to get the Scarlet on the board. Junior quarterback Blake Decker, who went 3-for-6 for 18 yards and one pick, hit Anthony Williamsfrom six yards out to set up the potential tying score but the extra-point was blocked.
Sophomore defensive back Torry McTyer led all players with four tackles for Team Scarlet. Junior DB Brandon Bakerhad the night's only interception for Team Gray.
Head Coach Bobby Hauck |met with the media following the one-hour scrimmage and underscored how his fifth spring at UNLV was his best.
"This is about the most low-key practice we have of the year but it was really good," Hauck said. "I thought they had a lot of juice out here today in front of all the people, so it was fun. I think we have a good team. This is a good-looking bunch. They look the part, they're physical, they like to play and it's just fun being out there with them."
Hauck said nothing has been decided when it comes to who will replace former quarterback Caleb Herringunder center this fall -- except that it's going to be either Sherry or Decker.
"I like the way those guys have played. It's obviously a two-man race. The young guys have a long way to go to catch up to Blake and Nick. We'll have a great battle in the fall camp and we'll figure it out at some point before the first game."
Hauck said the big Spring Showcase crowd was great to see.
"I want to thank everyone who came out tonight. I think everyone had a lot of fun. The idea that UNLV has a chance to have back-to-back winning seasons and be good for a second year in a row -- everybody is fired up about that, especially me."
UNLV will hold its first practice Aug. 6 and open the season Friday, Aug. 29 at Arizona. The Rebels' first of six home games will come Sept. 6 vs. Northern Colorado. Season tickets are available now by calling (702) 739-FANS or visiting unlvtickets.com.
Scarlet StatsPassingNick Sherry -- 5-7, 69 yards, TDBlake Decker -- 3-6, 18 yards, TD, INTJared Lebowitz -- 3-4, 49 Yards
RushingKeith Whitely -- 2 carries, 38 yardsDavid Greene -- 4 carries, 8 yardsEugene Johnson -- 2 carries, 5 yardsBlake Decker -- 2 carries, (-1 yards)
ReceivingAaron Criswell -- 2 receptions, 32 yards, TDAnthony Williams -- 2 receptions, 18 yards, TDDevante Davis -- 2 receptions, 17 yardsJake Phillips -- 2 Receptions, 17 yardsKeith Whitely -- 1 reception, 5 yardsTaylor Barnhill -- 1 reception, (-4 yards)
DefenseTorry McTyer -- 4 tacklesJordan Sparkman -- 2 tacklesSonny Sanitoa -- 2 tackles, sackBilly Murphy -- 2 tackles, forced fumbleDamon Collins -- 2 tacklesNicolai Bornand -- 2 tacklesRyan Beaulieu -- 2 tacklesDominic Baldwin -- 1 tackleMarc Philippi -- 1 tackleJonavaughn Williams -- Fumble recovery
Gray StatsPassingJared Lebowitz -- 5-8, 51 yardsJarin Morikawa -- 2-4, 50 yardsEvan Hunko -- 2-4, 10 yards
RushingAdonis Smith -- 7 carries, 83 yards, 2 TDsHenri Jussila -- 5 carries, 13 yards, TDJared Lebowitz -- 2 carries, 4 yards
ReceivingAndrew Price -- 3 receptions, 14 yardsTrent Riley -- 2 receptions, 14 yardsJustin Brown -- 1 receptions, 41 yardsTaylor Spencer -- 1 reception, 27 yardsJack Killian -- 1 reception, 9 yardsJonathon James -- 1 reception, 6 yards
DefenseMatt Viñal -- 3 tacklesNicolai Bornand -- 2 tacklesFred Wilson -- 2 tacklesJacobie Russell -- 2 tacklesMalo Feula -- 2 tackles, sackD.J. Moffitt -- 2 tacklesBrandon Baker -- 1 tackle, INTTuli Fakauho -- 1 tackleTroy Hawthorne -- 1 tackleKyle Anderson -- 1 tackleAntonio Zepeda -- 1 tackle, sackTau Lotulelei -- 1 tackleChris Spencer -- 1 tackleDalton Baker -- 1 tackle
SCORINGRB Henri Jussila 9-yard TD run for Gray Team - 7-0RB Adonis Smith 55-yard TD run for Gray Team - 14-0QB Nick Sherry to WR Aaron Criswell 9-yard TD pass for Scarlet Team - 14-7QB Blake Decker to WR Anthony Williams 6-yard TD pass for Scarlet Team - 14-13 (PAT blocked)RB Adonis Smith 9-yard TD run for Gray Team - 20-13 (No PAT)
