Rebels QB battle begins Saturday

Steve Carp

Friday, Aug. 9, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

After months of deliberation, it's going to come down to a 12-day window to determine who will be UNLV's quarterback.

Coach Jeff Horton swears it's wide open and so do Kevin Crook and Jon Denton, the two combatants who will do battle beginning Saturday when fall practice begins at Rebel Park.

The rules are simple. Whoever produces the most, turns it over the least and runs the team the smoothest gets to start in front of 102,485 fans Aug. 31 at Tennessee's Neyland Stadium.

"By the time we've had our second scrimmage on Aug. 22, we should have an idea," Horton said. "But whoever doesn't start better prepare for the first game like he is starting."

Extra work

Both Crook and Denton have put in overtime this summer trying to prepare for what will be the biggest and most publicized battle of fall camp.

"I'm a lot stronger," said Crook, a 6-foot-2 sophomore. "My footwork is better. My arm strength has improved a lot. I can get the ball there a lot faster."

Said Denton, a redshirt freshman from Green Valley: "I felt I made some strides during the spring, but not as much as I wanted to. So I've pushed myself hard this summer and I can see the improvement."

Horton said both bring several things to the position. Conversely, each has parts of their game which need work.

Pocket passer

"Kevin has experience, a good knowledge of defenses and is a truer pocket passer," Horton said. "He's also more dedicated and has worked harder than in the past.

"I like Jon's competitiveness and his will to win. He's never satisfied and he's real excitable. He plays with tremendous enthusiasm, which is something I want from my quarterback."

Horton said Denton's lack of experience is only a slight negative.

"Jon's not afraid of a challenge and I think that's the way he sees it," Horton said. "But I'm more concerned about his not being a true pocket passer and his arm still needs to get stronger than I am about experience."

They're close

Both quarterbacks say the competition will not change things off the field, where they are good friends.

"We do a lot of stuff together," Crook said. "Jon comes over and we hang out. I consider him a close friend."

Denton said: "We may be out there fighting for the job. But we're always teammates."

This battle nearly didn't materialize. Denton held a clipboard during last year's 2-9 season and was frustrated with his redshirt status.

"There were a couple of times I thought about quitting and transferring," said Denton, who was recruited by Colorado State and Fresno State. "My dad and I talked about it a lot, and he told me that I had a great opportunity and to just be patient.

"It was hard, but he was right. I think back on it now, and it was a good thing for me to stick it out and learn."

Crook successful

Crook knows how Denton felt. He went through it during the 1994 season. The only difference was the Rebels were successful on the field, going 7-5 and winning the Las Vegas Bowl.

"It's always tough when you don't play," he said. "It's not easy holding a clipboard when you think you can go out there and help the team."

And that's why Crook is not taking the competition lightly. He was hungry to play a year ago when Horton was vacillating between Jared Brown and Jason Davis. And after biding his time and working hard, Crook appeared in five games. He completed 21 of 36 passes for 216 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. His lone start came at San Jose State, where he played the first half of a 52-14 loss.

Confidence boost

"Just playing some helped my confidence a lot," he said. "I proved to myself I could compete at this level and I knew I was going to get better."

So does Crook have the edge?

"It's an edge only if I start," he said. "Obviously, I want to be the guy and I don't like anything being handed to me.

"Jon's pushing me to a new level. I like that. I feel like I can lead this team, especially the way I finished up in the spring.

"But I'm not going to worry about the rivalry. I'm just going to concentrate on doing my job."

Extra points

* CHECK-IN TIME: The veterans reported Thursday to the Lied Athletic Complex for physicals and meetings. The 30 freshmen have been working out since Tuesday. Today's schedule includes strength and running tests as well as more meetings. Full-contact practice begins Saturday.

* OPEN PRACTICES: If you're interested in watching the fall workouts, the door to Rebel Park is open for two-a-days. The morning session begins at 10:30 and the afternoon workout at 4:30. The first scrimmage will be held Aug. 17 at 9 a.m. The Aug. 22 scrimmage will be at 4 p.m.

* HORTON HAS CLASS: The popular ladies' night seminar, called "Horton Has Class" is scheduled for Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Si Redd Room. The seminar, which features head coach Jeff Horton and members of his staff, includes discussion of football rules, equipment displays and a question-and-answer session about the sport. Admission is free, but those attending need to RSVP by calling UNLV's athletic community relations department at 895-3454.