Aug. 21, 2009

LAS VEGAS - Happy to be home, the UNLV football team found its way to Rebel Park on campus for the first time in 11 days and went through a 21-period practice in shorts and helmets. In fact, the players even got to ditch their shoulder pads halfway through the humid night.

"That's the first time we've ever done that," head coach Mike Sanford said about the unusual equipment adjustment. "I made a deal with the team that if they came out and practiced hard at the start, that they could lose the shoulder pads, and they met their end of the bargain."

Temperatures were nothing like the team had been experiencing in its off-campus training site, with a record heat in the Valley giving way only to a breeze-free, sticky evening.

"It's great to be back in Las Vegas and practicing in familiar surroundings," he said. "The weather was stifling earlier but it was pleasant for the most part tonight under the lights."

The practice, which included some team action featuring two last-second game-winning field goal attempts (both were good!), was not complete until the team enjoyed some Ultimate Frisbee as part of creative conditioning.

JERSEY BOYS: Wearing the Black Jersey on Friday night, earned with their practice performance back on Wednesday, were senior safety Marquel Martin (Rialt, CA/Rialto HS) and junior running back Channing Trotter (Mesa, AZ/Red Mountain HS). The nominees were DL Daniel Mareko (Pago Pago, American Samoa) and DB Calvin Randleman (Huron, OH/Huron HS/Ashland University) on defense and guard Joe Hawley (Yorba Linda, CA/Esperanza HS) on offense. With Friday's practice being a light-equipment edition, the final set of Black Jerseys is scheduled to be awarded after Saturday's closed team scrimmage.

2009 CAMP REBEL BLACK JERSEY WINNERS
Aug. 10: CB Quinton Pointer
Aug. 11: Travel Day
Aug. 12: QB Omar Clayton & LB Jason Beauchamp
Aug. 13: WR Rodelin Anthony & DL Martin Tevaseu
Aug. 14: WR Ryan Wolfe & DE Heivaha Mafi
Aug. 15: OL Matt Murphy & DB Alex De Giacomo
Aug. 16: OL John Gianninoto & LB Beau Orth
Aug. 17: QB Omar Clayton & LB Jason Beauchamp
Aug. 18: OL Matt Murphy & LB Ronnie Paulo
Aug. 19: WR Jerriman Robinson & DL Malo Taumua
Aug. 20: Travel Day
Aug. 21: RB Channing Trotter & DB Marquel Martin

GUESTS GALORE: Taking in Friday's action at Rebel Park were some family members of freshman running back Bradley Randle (Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta HS). Along with mom, Linda, his dad Lenny has become a familiar site at UNLV practices. Lenny Randle was a longtime professional baseball player, including playing for six different clubs during a Major League Baseball career that spanned from 1971-82. Also on hand was Bradley's cousin, former UCLA basketball legend and NBA veteran Tyus Edney.

NEXT UP: The 2009 edition of Camp Rebel closes for good after a team scrimmage Saturday night. The practice, which is closed to the public, will be held at Sam Boyd Stadium. The players get Sunday off and the first day of classes is Monday and there is no practice again. The team begins its game-week-style schedule starting Tuesday with the the season kickoff set for Saturday, Sept. 5 vs. Sacramento State at 7 p.m.