Black works out without cast

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Sept. 1, 2000 | 10:51 a.m.

For the first time in a week, UNLV's Randy Black got to practice without a big clumsy cast on his left hand.

That might not sound like a big deal to most people, but for the 6-0, 210-pound senior safety from Clark High School it was a special day.

"It was great to get back out there again," said Black, who had two small metal screws surgically inserted into his broken left middle finger to help stabilize a small fracture last week.

Black still had his injured finger wrapped, but it was nothing compared to the club-like cast he tried to practice with for a few days after breaking the finger on the first day of fall drills.

"I felt rusty out there today," Black said. "My mind was into it, but my body wasn't. It kind of felt like the first day of double days again for me. I really needed it."

How did the finger feel?

"Fine," Black said. "I hit it once. That was a big deal then and it hurt a little. But after that I never really thought about it."

The Rebels will practice again this afternoon at 3:45 at Rebel Park. After a day off on Saturday, they return on Sunday night to begin preparation for their Sept. 9 opener at Iowa State.

Linebackers Adam Seward (a Bonanza High product) and Ryan Claridge, safety Jamaal Brimmer (Durango High), backup quarterback Kurt Nantkes and defensive backs Derek Olsen (Indian Springs High) and Ruschard Dodd-Masters will likely play this year, Robinson said.

The luncheons will be held each Monday before a game. In a departure from recent years, all of them will be held at Big Dog's Cafe except for Monday, Oct. 16, which be held on campus at the Richard Tam Alumni Center because of homecoming functions.

Admission is $10 for the general public and $9 for football alumni.