LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV Football opened its second spring practice under head coach Tony Sanchez on Monday as 89 players were in uniform at Rebel Park.

Moving to morning spring practices for the first time in school history, the squad enjoyed a great day for football with pleasant weather conditions. The team ended things around 10:20 a.m., just as a ribbon-cutting ceremony got underway next door for the new Anthony and Lindy Marnell III Baseball Clubhouse in the shadow of the Lied Athletic Complex.

The Rebel Football spring roster is a mix of returning veterans, incoming midyear junior-college signees and a crop of new walk-ons, including a handful that made it through the open tryouts on this very same field just over a week ago. The high-school signees who were part of the record-setting recruiting class announced in February will enter the picture during summer camp.

Sanchez told a group of media following the practice how much ahead this year's version of the Rebels is at this point on the calendar.

"We got a lot more installed (today compared to last year), we didn't have to pause practice because we were going too slow, we got to create a good, fast-paced tempo," Sanchez said. "We did a good job of that today. There are so many things we have to get better at, but everyone in the country can say that after their first spring practice. But as far as where we are at as an offense, defense, special teams, progression, installing stuff, -- it is night and day from where we were a year ago. We're not doing big overhauls of anything, really just shaking the dust off, making sure they communicate at a high level, are flying to the ball, and doing all of the little things.

"Last year you come in with a lot of excitement and energy but the kids were still a little bit wary when we got out here. I used to tell them 'Hey, we're not that talented, we have to do things the right way all of the time.' They hated hearing that but it's the truth. We brought some really good guys in and the guys that were here have developed (in the last year). There is a sense that we can get this program going. I don't think anyone doubts that we can win football games here."

The team will retake the field on Wednesday for the second of the 15 allotted practice sessions, scheduled to go from 8:10-10:20 a.m. All practices are open to the public, with restricted viewing areas and a rule of no electronic communication devices while at Rebel Park.

The Spring Showcase is set for Saturday at Noon on April 9 at the Peter Johann Memorial Soccer Stadium on campus. Admission is free of charge for the family-friendly event.

Season tickets for 2016 are currently on sale by calling (702) 739-FANS or visiting unlvtickets.com. Prices for the six-game lineup start as low as $79 during this early-bird period.