LOOKING IN ON: UNLV FOOTBALL

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 | 7:10 a.m.

Quarterback Rocky Hinds, running back David Peeples and receiver Casey Flair accounted for the bulk of UNLV's offense last season. Kicker Sergio Aguayo was the Rebels' second-leading scorer.

Although all four were on the sidelines recovering from off-season surgeries when spring practice opened last week, head coach Mike Sanford said he expects to get a lot accomplished during the next month - even on offense.

In addition to being able to more closely scrutinize other quarterbacks, running backs and receivers this spring, Sanford said Hinds, Peeples and Flair will be learning although they are not able to participate in drills.

"We have some minor changes to our system, terminology-wise, so it's really good for the offensive guys that are out to be around practice and meetings so they can digest this whole thing and so it's not a surprise" when preseason camps opens in August, Sanford said.

Hinds (knee), Peeples (shoulder) and Aguayo (knee) underwent surgery immediately after the end of last season while Flair suffered a shoulder injury during the off-season that required arthroscopic surgery. Sanford said he expected all four to be ready by the start of preseason camp.

It's about the ball

Although the NCAA basketball tournament is headed to the Final Four and the Rebels' first game is five months away, Sanford said the players - and coaches - get a lot out of the spring practice.

In addition to evaluating incoming and returning players, "We get 15 days of practice with footballs, which is very important," Sanford said. "The only times of the year we can use footballs and coach the players are spring practice and once we start practicing in the fall.

"It's a great time for us to coach the game of football. I know it sounds simple, but that's the way it is."

Go camping

Sanford's football camps, which last year proved to be extremely popular, are taking reservations for four programs in June.

Sanford's High School Camp will run June 10-14; the Team Passing Tournament and Big Man Camp will be June 16 and a Youth Camp (for first to eighth graders) will run June 18-22. All camps will be at Rebel Park on the UNLV campus.

For more information, call 895-3400. Printable brochures can be found at unlvrebels.com by clicking on "For Fans" and "Camps."