Thursday, July 21, 2005 | 9:45 a.m.
UNLV football coach Mike Sanford got a piece of potentially good news Wednesday when senior wide receiver Alvin Marshall received clearance from a cardiologist to begin conditioning drills.
Marshall, a 5-foot-10, 190-pounder who finished second on the Rebels in receptions last season with 37 catches for 437 yards and one touchdown, has been idled since the end of March after experiencing heart and stomach pains.
Marshall first thought he had acid reflux caused by a diet high in greasy foods. But he said subsequent testing determined he had an enlarged heart.
Now after almost four months of tests, Marshall's cardiologist, Dr. Robert Morse, has cleared him to begin conditioning and weightlifting exercises.
"It's encouraging news but it's not a final answer on him," Sanford said. "But it does give him and us some encouragement."
"He's been cleared to start running and lifting," Rebels trainer Kyle Wilson said. "We'll start him out slow because he hasn't been doing anything for a while and because it's been so hot out there."
Marshall will meet again with Morse to evaluate his progress in early August just before the start of fall camp on Aug. 8. At that time a decision will likely be made whether to allow Marshall to resume his football career.
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