Aug. 15, 2015 
Photo Gallery
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV Football held its first scrimmage of fall camp at Nellis Air Force Base on Saturday. The team opened the practice with some individual drills and went through some special teams drills before scrimmaging.
It was the first time in program history that the Rebels held a practice at the military base, which is situated about 30 minutes north of campus.
"Before we started we told the guys to look around at where they were at -- to think about it. Think about the daily mission of those on this base," head coach Tony Sanchez said. "Think about the mission of the Air Force on a daily basis. They are not put in comfortable situations, easy situations, to be successful. So when the obstacles come they are prepared for it. This is probably the hottest weather we'll play in all year. We came out here to the hottest part of town at 11 a.m. on purpose. I think today was a important part of our toughness building and they responded."
As for the scrimmage, Devonte Boyd led the Rebels, finishing with four catches for 113 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Blake Decker looked sharp too, going 9-for-15 for 172 yards and two scores. Aaron Criswell also caught a touchdown and finished with two receptions for 25 yards. Kendal Keys and Andrew Price each made big catches on third downs when playing with the top offense to keep a drive alive, which ended with a score. Keys finished the day with three receptions for 16 yards and Price finished the day with one catch for 24 yards.
The rushing attack was led by freshman Xzaviar Campbell, as he finished with 44 yards on eight carries. Senior Jamal Overton finished with 39 yards on six carries. Senior George Naufahu, who started the day with the first team offense, finished with five carries for 30 yards.
The offense was not the only side of the ball which stood out during the scrimmage. Six defensive players finished with tackles for loss, including Efram Clark's six-yard sack. Matt Lea, Bailey Laolagi, Ryan McAleenan, Darious Mouton and Joseph Salazar also finished with a TFL.
Junior Jonavaughn Williams made arguably the best defensive play of the day when he picked off Kurt Palandech and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown.
"There was success on both sides of the ball and special teams got some good time in. as well," Sanchez said. "There was a little give and take. It's hard to cheer for one side over the other. Overall, I'm pleased with what I saw but we haven't watched film yet, which can change your opinion really fast."
For the first time this fall, the Rebels practiced with a full group of referees and the team committed a few penalties during the course of the scrimmage.
"We need to come together to clean up those penalties so that we can sustain our drives -- not shoot ourselves in the foot because we aren't capable of getting over that right now," Sanchez said. "That and getting better on third-down defense and not give up touchdowns in those situations."
Following the practice session the team showered and ate lunch on base before returning to campus.
"It's a fantastic partnership," Colonel Deanna Violette, 561st Joint Tactics Squadron Commander said. "We have very similar core values with Coach Sanchez as he is striving to instill excellence and integrity and trying to bring his entire team success. We do the same things here day in and day out. It's great to see the leadership and the values and bring the teams together. We are happy to be part of it,"
UNLV Football would like to say "Thank You" to the following at Nellis Air Force Base for their help and hospitality:
Col. Deanna Violette
Chief MSgt. Jeanna Stansbury
MSgt. Dondra Simmons
MSgt. Adam Sorrell
Maj. William Burns
Maj. Cristin Goerlitz
SSgt. Troy Lee
A1C Hannah Weaver
A1C Geraldine Lovely
Mr. Stewart Taylor
Mr. Douglas Kingery
UP NEXTThe football team will next be on the field Sunday for a two-a-day schedule that starts at 7:30 a.m. on campus. The evening practice is scheduled to begin around 6:30 p.m.
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.
