Aug. 11, 2015 
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LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV Football held its first practice in full pads on Day Five of Camp Rebel. The team practiced for about two hours on Tuesday before breaking for lunch.
THE POWER OF FULL PADS
Full pads marked the first day of full contact and full tackling drills for UNLV. There was an extra sense of excitement amongst the players as they took the field.
"I think (practicing in full pads) really sets it off," quarterback Blake Decker said. "It feels like we are playing football again. This is what you wait for, the first day of full pads. It's full contact, full go. You got guys running each other over and big hits. That's why you play the game of football."
Players were eager to compete on the field and about 30 spectators in attendance could hear the pads popping in rhythm to the music.
"It was fun getting out there with the guys," Jay'Onn Myles said. "Wearing full pads means its time to separate the men from the boys. We have been working tremendously hard with our strength coaches all summer so we really couldn't wait to get into full pads and show what we can do now."
Neither the offense nor defense shied away from full contact, as both sides each were able to lay down some big hits. Head coach Tony Sanchez was pleased with the effort, but knows there is more work to do.
"We have been in shells the last couple days and now we got into full pads today," Sanchez said. "We were able to fly around a little bit. There was a goal line and short yardage situation that got really competitive. That was good. We are still chipping away at it and getting better, but I like where we are at to this point. I loved the enthusiasm today. We have a lot to work on, but a lot to be pleased with too.
CAMP REBEL TEMPO SYSTEM SONG OF THE DAY:
"I Walk The Line" by Johnny Cash. Release date: May 1, 1956.
UP NEXT
The football team will continue its fall camp on Wednesday, which kicks off at 8:10 a.m. Wednesday also marks the first day the Rebels will host their first day of two-a-day practices. The team will hold a closed practice in the evening at Sam Boyd Stadium.
SEASON AND MINI-PLAN TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
UNLV will open its 2015 season at Northern Illinois on Sept. 5 and then host UCLA for the first time in history one week later in the first of six home games. Season tickets, which start as low as $99, are available now by calling (702) 739-FANS (3267) or visiting www.unlvtickets.com. Three-game mini-plans, which start as low as $48 and are available online-only at unlvtickets.com, are now being offered.
