Rebels go to freshman for big opener

Steve Carp

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

HE was an unknown in April when spring practice began. Just another kid in uniform. Nothing special.

But then workouts began and he was making catches all over the field. And once he caught the ball, the defense had trouble running him down. He was super in the spring game and everyone wanted to know who he was.

Len Ware no longer suffers from an identity crisis. Especially after the way he played in fall camp.

The redshirt freshman wide receiver from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., has played his way into the lineup and will start at the "flex" position Saturday at Tennessee in the 1996 season opener.

"All I ever wanted was an opportunity and I couldn't ask for anything more," said Ware. "It's up to me to take advantage of it."

Coach Jeff Horton said Ware has the potential to be the best of a talented corps of young receivers which includes Damon Williams, Carlos Baker, Amar Brisco and Jasiri Rodell.

"He has the ability to be a big-play player," Horton said. "He's the kind of guy who doesn't look like he can beat you. All of a sudden, he's in the end zone and the defense is wondering what happened."

Ware's speed is deceptive. He's able to shift gears and run past people he's not expected to beat.

"I wouldn't say I'm a flashy player," Ware said. "I try to be consistent in what I do and be fundamentally sound. That's how you get better."

Like Williams, Ware played quarterback in high school. He also was a defensive back at Montclair High, so he really has the best of all worlds when it comes to trying to out-think the secondary.

"Having played the position really helps because I know what they're thinking," he says of cornerbacks. "And having been a quarterback, I can pick out coverages and find the seams to get myself open. I have a good idea where the defense is going to be."

His cerebral approach to the game boosted his stock, according to Horton.

"Lenny was here all summer, working out, watching film, getting himself ready," he said. "So I'm really not surprised at what he has done out on the field. He was as ready as anyone when we started."

Ware said that preparation was the key to cracking the lineup.

"I knew I'd have to go the extra step if I wanted to play," he said. "To me, the game comes naturally. But I knew that wouldn't be enough.

"It's so much faster at this level, you have to stay a step ahead. So by spending the summer in Vegas, I think I was able to do that."

Ware didn't envision himself playing college football. He fancied himself as a swingman on the basketball court, playing some off-guard and small forward. But at 6-foot-1 and with not enough consistent range on his jump shot, his chances of playing big-time hoops were virtually nil.

Today, Ware pursues another dream. He thinks about Saturday's game every night. He hears the 103,000-plus crowd at Neyland Stadium booing him and his teammates. He hears "Rocky Top," the Tennessee theme song, over and over and over. And all it does is pump him up.

"It's hard sleeping at night because I get so excited," he said of his impending debut. "This is the best type of game you can be in. You've got this big-time atmosphere and there's no pressure on you because nobody gives you a shot. "

Extra points

* EARLIEST START: Saturday's opener will mark the first time UNLV has played a football game in August. The earliest the Rebels had played in the past was Sept. 1, 1990 against Southwest Missouri State. ... UNLV opens its inaugural Western Athletic Conference season Sept. 7 at Sam Boyd Stadium against Air Force.

* INJURY UPDATE: LBs Steve Newton and Justin Simo will not make the trip to Tennessee as both are out with leg injuries. WR Todd Floyd is out with a hamstring injury and K Jordan Bedard is out with a back injury. RB Omar Love's ankle has improved and he practiced in full pads Tuesday. He will make the trip, as will RB DeJohn Branch, who has recovered from a hyper-extended knee.