Driven by love for gridiron

Brian Hilderbrand, Las Vegas Sun

Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007 | 7:58 a.m.

When: 8 tonight

Where: Sam Boyd Stadium

Tickets: $15 and up; 739-3267 or unlvtickets. com

Darkness had descended upon the UNLV football practice fields when head coach Mike Sanford dismissed his team for the evening. Most of the players walked purposefully toward the awaiting showers, seemingly eager to leave behind yet another long practice in yet another disappointing season.

The bulk of the team already had disappeared into the locker rooms when star linebacker Beau Bell walked out of Wildcat Morris Rebel Park - officially the last player off the field at 6:30 on a Tuesday night with only three games and 10 practices standing between him and the unofficial start of what could be a promising NFL career.

That Bell lingered so long after practice didn't surprise Sanford, who said he has been impressed with Bell's work ethic since the day he took over the program three years ago. But more than that, Sanford said he has been struck by Bell's approach to the game.

"The big thing with Beau," Sanford said, "is that he has fun. Obviously, we'd like to have a lot more wins, but he has fun playing football.

"He loves football. He loves to win more, but he loves playing football and he has fun. To me, that has to be mentioned when you talk about Beau Bell."

Bell will mention it, if someone asks him why he is the last player off the practice field on a Tuesday night in November in the midst of a 2-7 season. It also is what has kept him motivated through a college career in which the Rebels have won eight of 43 games.

"It's been real tough, but it's just the love for the game that keeps me going through this," he said as he prepared for his final home game as a Rebel. "I always have a positive attitude and I just try to get better each day."

Although almost assured of being chosen in the NFL draft next spring - he entered the season ranked as the nation's No. 14 outside linebacker by one scouting service - Bell insists that is not what is occupying his thoughts these days.

"The main thing is to get the three wins," Bell said. "I have tunnel vision on these three games."

And the NFL?

"That's going to take care of itself. If I keep doing my job out there on the field, keep trying to get my teammates better, keep working hard out there, then it's all going to take care of itself."

That's not just lip service, Sanford said. "He's just a great person."

Which will make tonight's Mountain West Conference game against San Diego State as special for Sanford as it will be for Bell, whose hard work and dedication to the program have not been rewarded with victories or bowl games.

"He's the guy that I feel strongest about," Sanford admitted. "I feel strong about all the seniors, but I really want to make sure we send him off with a win."