LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - On a warm and sunny Saturday morning at Rebel Park, the UNLV football team turned in its first practice in full pads under new head coach Tony Sanchez. The outing marked the end of the first of five weeks of practice, which will be sandwiched around the school's spring break.

Sanchez was asked to review his first week on the field with his new team.

Overall

"There was some good. There was some bad. We have to work on that everyday effort through the grind. First week, first four days. Not only did they transition into a new system but then they got back into pads today for the first time since late November. I like where we're at, I just want to see improvement. When we come back on Monday, there should be a huge jump. The first to the second week this year may be the biggest jump in improvement we ever have here."

Regarding the near-perfect conditions so far:

"It's Las Vegas, you always have great weather. It's one of our great recruiting tools."

On the large number of people attending practices:

"I don't know what it's been like out here in the past but everyday we've had good crowds. We've had a ton of local recruits interested in what we're doing. We have to keep the momentum going and keep kids home at UNLV."

On what position groups have impressed him:

"Our linebacking corps has done a good job. The secondary play has been good. Offensively, it's no surprise but we have a couple of really special receivers. We're a little thin in the defensive line and we need some more bodies, which will happen in the fall. Right now, the defense is a little ahead of the offense, which is to be expected."

On the quarterback competition:

"Someone has to step up and show us that they are that guy. We're waiting for that to happen and show that they're that leader at No. 1."

SPRING SLATE

UNLV is scheduled to work out for approximately two hours, four days a week (except one) with 4 p.m. practices on Mondays and Wednesdays, 1 p.m. kickoffs on Fridays and 9 a.m. starts on a pair of Saturdays. The squad will take off for spring break during the week of March 30-April 3.

All practices are open to the public but viewing areas are restricted and no use of mobile communication devices will be allowed while at Rebel Park. Please note that times are subject to change.

The public is invited to attend the FREE family-friendly Spring Showcase, which moves to a Saturday this year and will kick off at 12 p.m. The event will again be held on campus at UNLV's soccer complex at Peter Johann Memorial Field.

The Showcase on April 18 will be preceded by the popular biennial UNLV Athletics Inventory Clearance Sale staged inside the McDermott PE Complex's North Gym. Brands available include Nike, Russell and Adidas for official men's and women's team apparel such as game uniforms, jerseys, warm-ups, coaching shirts and athletic shoes as well as other memorabilia. The unique sale will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cash and major credit cards will be accepted and all proceeds benefit the UNLV Athletics Department.

UNLV 2015 SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE -- OPEN TO THE PUBLICPLEASE NOTE: ALL DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
March 23  Monday    Practice 5  Pads    4:00-6:00 pmMarch 25  Wednesday Practice 6  Pads    4:00-6:00 pmMarch 27  Friday    Practice 7  Pads    1:00-3:00 pmMar 30-Apr 3 Spring Break   No PracticesApril 6   Monday    Practice 8  Shells  4:00-6:00 pmApril 8   Wednesday Practice 9  Pads    4:00-6:00 pmApril 10  Friday    Practice 10 Pads    1:00-3:00 pmApril 11  Saturday  Practice 11 Pads    9:00-11:00 amApril 13  Monday    Practice 12 Shells  4:00-6:00 pmApril 15  Wednesday Practice 13 Pads    4:00-6:00 pmApril 17  Friday    Practice 14 No Pads 1:00-3:00 pmApril 18  Saturday  Practice 15 SPRING SHOWCASE 12:00-1:30 pm on campus