Day 4 Notebook: Balance is promising for Rebels

By Ryan Greene

Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009 | 2:29 a.m.

ELY — The difference between UNLV's 2008 and 2009 camps in Ely was on full display Saturday morning at Broadbent Park.

That difference is the visible balance between the offense and defense.

"I think it's more competitive than it was a year ago," UNLV coach Mike Sanford said. "A year ago, I think the offense was definitely ahead. I'd say it's very competitive. Our defense has improved, and I don't think our offense has taken a step back."

Both sides had their moments during the two-hour, situation-based practice.

On offense, the usual suspects shined.

Junior quarterback Omar Clayton was 6-of-9 for 60 yards with a trio of TD tosses, including a pair to sophomore Phillip Payne on their patented fade connection.

But two of his three incompletions went down as interceptions — one by junior safety Alex De Giacomo and another by senior cornerback Ryan Tillman.

"Even though the balance is there, I think we can improve," said De Giacomo, a juco transfer vying for a starting safety job. "So far, it's looking good on both sides of the ball."

Ladies and gentlemen, your scrimmage MVPs

On the offensive side of the ball, Payne's touchdown grabs were both brutally impressive.

But Clayton's calm and cool demeanor, plus his ability to do damage with both his arm and legs earned him the nod.

The defensive MVP was easy to pick — junior linebacker Ronnie Paulo.

With the defense showing more of a knack for attacking with various blitzes, Paulo was visibly effective. He also had two tackles for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery.

"We have a lot more confidence going into this season, a lot more swagger to us," Paulo said of the defense. "A lot of guys know what they're doing now and we're flying at the ball now."

"I'm definitely liking it. Last year I was more patient, this year I'm able to play faster."

Some other numbers of note

Paulo's fumble recovery was the product of a strip by sophomore linebacker Beau Orth. The Gorman grad ripped the ball from the hands of freshman wideout Mark Barefield on an inside quick hit pass from Mike Clausen.

Junior safety Travis Dixon and junior defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui also had sacks.

Senior defensive end Heivaha Mafi had the day's most thunderous tackle for loss, dropping freshman running back Bradley Randle for a 10-yard loss late in the scrimmage.

Randle struggled, finishing with -13 yards on six carries.

The best back of the bunch by far was junior Channing Trotter, if you go by the numbers.

He finished with 33 yards on five carries, including a one-yard touchdown. He also had a six-yard reception, with another four-yard catch called back due to a false start on the day's first play.

Hit of the day

Sophomore safety and Shadow Ridge High product Chris Jones — a converted quarterback a year ago in fall camp — forced his defensive teammates to erupt late in the morning, when he jarred a ball loose from Payne.

Payne had his hands on a slant from Clayton on the left hashmark, but was rocked by Jones, leaving the play as an incompletion.

Take a seat, Ryan

Senior receiver Ryan Wolfe — the school's all-time leading pass-catcher — played the day's first two series before relaxing on the sideline the rest of the scrmmage.

He wasn't thrown to during his few snaps on the field.

Whoops ...

UNLV coaches and receivers have given plenty of praise to senior wideout Renan Saint Preux so far through fall camp, dating back to the spring.

Saint Preux, who redshirted last season in his fourth year in the program, struggled, however, on Saturday, dropping all three passes thrown his way and fumbling an exchange with quarterback Mike Clausen.

In attendance

A pair of scouts from the New England Patriots took in the first half of the Saturday scrimmage.

Also taking in the action was former UNLV receiver Casey Flair, who on Friday signed with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the fledgling United Football League.

Flair said he takes off on Tuesday for Arizona, where the Locomotives will train during the league's inaugural season. He'll be there to pick up his playbook, plus run routes and catch passes from Locomotives quarterbacks J.P. Losman and Tim Rattay — both former NFL gunslingers.

Flair's two contests at Sam Boyd Stadium during the UFL regular season will be on Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. against San Francisco, then on Oct. 14 against Florida, again at 6 p.m.

Barrett arrives, switches positions

Freshman Jordan Barrett — a Rivals.com three-star recruit from Sherman Oaks, Calif. — continued his hectic week on Saturday morning in Ely.

Barrett was brought to Campus on Friday and will be a member of the squad as opposed to grayshirting, which was the original plan. He swapped roles with Cheyenne High grad Marcus Sullivan, who will grayshirt instead.

Barrett arrived in Las Vegas on Friday afternoon, then headed straight to Ely. On Saturday, he began working with coaches as a tight end. He was recruited to UNLV as a linebacker, but played on offense in high school.

"I'm gonna do whatever I need to do for the team," said Barrett, who will sport No. 41. "I came out as a linebacker, but I played tight end in high school, so it's nothing new for me. At heart, I'm a linebacker, but whatever coach Sanford needs me to do, I'll do."

The physically imposing Barrett could also see time this season on special teams.

"He's gonna work as a tight end, and we're gonna prepare him to play on special teams," Sanford confirmed. "Him getting here late makes that hard, but he's a good football player, got a lot of ability, and I think he can help us. Those kinds of guys, that type of body are very important on special teams."

Black jersey update

The black jerseys for excellence during Friday's pair of practices went to De Giacomo and junior offensive lineman Matt Murphy.

The other nominees were Payne, senior defensive back Terrence Lee, junior cornerback Mike Grant.

What's on tap

The Rebels now enjoy their longest hiatus during the Ely trip, going nearly 30 hours between practices before taking the field on Sunday afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m.

Monday brings back two-a-days, with a 9:40 to 11:40 a.m. practice to be followed by a second session from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m.