Camp Rebel finished the week at Rebel Park with a quick helmets-only practice Friday morning. The lighter day of individual drills and situational team sessions was planned in advance of Saturday night's scrimmage at Sam Boyd Stadium, which will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is the only preseason practice open to the public. Next week coach
Tony Sanchez and the Rebels will turn their attention and preparation to week one opponent Southern Utah.
As the Rebels look to improve on defense in year two under
Tim Skipper they anticipate the return of junior defensive lineman
Nick Dehdashtian will provide a big boost up front. The Rancho Santa Margarita, California, native missed all of last season after suffering a foot injury during preseason camp in 2018. It was a disappointing development for Dehdashtian and the Rebels after he finished his sophomore campaign in 2017 second on the team with 6.5 tackles for loss and tied for team lead with two quarterback sacks. The junior is ready to put last year's misfortune behind him.
"I'm really just focused on staying healthy this year," he said. "I'm putting in the extra work after practice, more stretching and doing everything I can to keep my mobility so I can stay on the field and help the team."
Mostly, he's ready to "Unleash the Dash."
"I'm ready to bring a lot of disruptiveness," he said. "I want to get after the quarterback, make plays, create turnovers - just overall be as disruptive as possible and hope that leads to great things for us on the defensive side of the ball."
While Dehdashtian knows they must take the season one game at a time, his goal for the team is clear.
"We want to make a bowl game and whatever I can do to help make that happen, that's what I'm going to do."
RISE AND GRIND
Episode 17 - Tight Ends & Fullbacks
UNLV opens its season August 31 by hosting Southern Utah at 7 pm. Season tickets, which start as low as $99, are available now and as part of UNLV's Faithful Fan Pricing initiative, fans purchasing season tickets this year may purchase season tickets for the same per-game price in the new Las Vegas Stadium opening in 2020.
Single-game and season ticket mini-plans for UNLV football recently went on sale. This year's mini-plan allows fans to purchase tickets for the games vs. Boise State, San Diego State and Hawai'i for one low price that includes a meal combo and the commemorative giveaway T-shirt each week. Prices for the mini-plan are $99 for end-zone locations and $150 for sideline seats. Mini-plans, as well as full season tickets are available now by calling (702) 739-3267 (FANS) or visiting unlvtickets.com.
