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Rebels defense sturdy in scrimmage
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John Gurzinski/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Sophomore wide receiver Gordy Cooper (82) finds running room after a catch during UNLV's first scrimmage of spring drills Friday at Rebel Park. » Buy this photo
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
With a week break coming up, coach Bobby Hauck turned his players loose during UNLV's first spring football scrimmage Friday at Rebel Park.
The defense responded.
Touchdowns or offensive big plays were few. Junior defensive end James Dunlap recorded two sacks (though tackling quarterbacks was prohibited), sophomore defensive end Beau Brence had a sack, senior cornerback Quinton Pointer and senior linebacker Ronnie Paulo recovered fumbles, and senior linebacker Starr Fuimaono and junior cornerback Deante Purvis broke up passes.
"We haven't had a lot of live work like that, so it should be more physical today in terms of the defense tackling and all that," Hauck said. "They did a nice job. It was good to see them because, frankly, this time in spring, (the defense) should probably be a little bit ahead."
Dunlap admitted it's frustrating not being permitted to tackle the quarterback, no matter how close he got to senior Omar Clayton.
"That's all I'm used to doing is hitting the quarterback, but in practice you can't," Dunlap said.
■ SITTING OUT -- Several players were unable to participate because of injuries, including junior wide receiver Phillip Payne, junior tight end Kyle Watkins, sophomore guard Jason Heath, senior wide receiver Tate Knutson and sophomore tailback Imari Thompson.
Hauck wouldn't specify the injuries but said none was serious and he expects them all back on the field when practices resume April 5.
"Everybody on this team knows that if you aren't out there, you're sliding down the depth (chart)," Hauck said. "So they've got to get well."
Another player was injured during the scrimmage, redshirt freshman safety Courtney Bridget, but Hauck said he didn't know the specifics.
■ CATCHING ON -- Sophomore wide receiver Trey Mays, a Bishop Gorman product, has made some nice plays this spring and had two big moments in the scrimmage.
Mays caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Mike Clausen and a 23-yard scoring pass from redshirt freshman QB Caleb Herring.
What does it mean in the big picture? Hauck wasn't sure, saying as he has through spring that the depth chart constantly changes.
"You're as good as your last practice or even the last period within a practice," Hauck said.
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.
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 finds running room after a catch during UNLV's first scrimmage of spring drills Friday at Rebel Park.){kind=link}
This many guys are injured in spring ball?
Something tells me this is a big part of why UNLV struggles on the football field. If spring ball is banging guys up, and spring ball is a lot less intense than fall ball, this indicates to me that they haven't kept in shape. And at that point, one has to question the strength and conditioning program UNLV has.
If the players lack the wherewithal the stay in shape, they should be run. Otherwise, what's the issue with the strength and conditioning coach?