April 14, 2018
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV football team closed its fourth spring practice under head coach Tony Sanchez by staging its annual Spring Showcase in front of a crowd of 3,200 fans on a gorgeous Las Vegas Saturday.
For the fifth straight year, the team moved across campus from the Rebel Park practice fields to the school's soccer stadium -- Peter Johann Memorial Field -- and turned in a controlled scrimmage for fans, family and alumni.
2018 Spring Showcase Stats 
All four UNLV scholarship quarterbacks saw action. Returning starter Armani Rogers finished 3 of 7 for 20 yards after a few dropped passes. Midyear junior-college signee Max Gilliam was 5 of 9 for 24 yards while true freshman Kenyon Oblad out of Las Vegas led all passers with 91 yards on 7 of 10 passing, including a 19-yard scoring strike to Andre Collins Jr. Another Las Vegas product, redshirt freshman Marckell Grayson completed all three of his attempts for 48 yards, including finding Jeremy Clark for a three-yard touchdown.
Senior Xzaviar Campbell ran up and down the field, netting 115 yards on just six carries, including one touchdown. With senior Lexington Thomas sitting out, Tariq Hollandsworth got the bulk of the carries and went for 60 yards on nine attempts, including the day's first score -- a five-yard run from five yards out.
Sophomore Brandon Gahagan, a graduate of Bishop Gorman High School, led the way with five catches for 49 yards while Collins' two grabs netted him a team-high 59 yards.
Defensively, junior Soli Afalava was the standout, posting five tackles, an interception and a 20-yard fumble return for a touchdown. On special teams, senior Evan Pantels nailed five of his six field goal attempts.
"It was a really good day -- great weather, we had a great crowd out here," said Sanchez. "We saw some good stuff offensively, saw some good stuff defensively and special teams. It was high-energy. I feel really good about the work the guys put in all spring and it culminated in a heckuva day out here.
"Armani looked good -- there were some dropped balls -- but looked good overall. It was nice to see Max and Kenyon throw some balls out there. Quarterbacks did well -- it's the deepest group we've seen here. Obviously Campbell had a big day. Offensive line looked good. Defensively it was nice to see Soli get the interception and Gabe McCoy made some good plays."
UNLV will hold its next practice in early August as it prepares to open its 51st season of football at USC September 1. The home opener is one week later vs. UTEP in the first of six home games. Season tickets, which start as low as $99, are available now by calling (702) 739-FANS or visiting unlvtickets.com.
