UNLV spring practice begins under Hauck’s watchful eye

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

A UNLV football player raced off the field Monday during the first day of spring practice at Rebel Park and learned the hard way about the expectations of new coach Bobby Hauck.

The player slowed before reaching the sideline, which immediately caught Hauck's eye.

Hauck, who was hired at UNLV two days before Christmas after seven seasons at Montana, immediately asked for 10 push-ups.

Seconds later, Hauck spotted another player not hustling off the field. Hauck, dressed in black shorts and a long-sleeved, red UNLV football shirt, pointed at the player and instructed him to hit the ground for push-ups.

Welcome to a new era in Rebels football.

Players, whether they are veterans or rookies, are held to the same standards. There is attention to detail, discipline and tons of energy — something that has become Hauck's trademark.

"He wants things done his way, or no way," quarterback Mike Clausen said.

The 15-practice spring includes scrimmages March 26 and April 9. The spring game is April 17 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

That doesn't leave much time for Hauck and his assistants to install new offensive and defensive terminology and to get a feel for the personnel. Most of Monday's session, which wasn't in pads per NCAA regulations, was spent working on formations and assignments.

After all, you have to learn how to walk before you can run.

"We only have 14 days left to work this spring," Hauck said. "We are going to need every bit of it."

Hauck has told players that everyone will have to earn their playing time. No positions are guaranteed, even if you are junior-to-be wide receiver Phillip Payne, who has 14 career touchdowns.

That was music to Clausen's ears. Clausen, a rising junior, was starter Omar Clayton's backup last year. Now, the signal callers are competing with freshman Caleb Herring for the top spot on the depth chart.

"We are all at square one and have a chance to win the job," said Clausen, who completed 42 of 58 passes for five touchdowns and rushed for another seven scores this past fall.

"I couldn't ask for a better situation. I learned on the job as a freshman and sophomore, and now I have experience under my belt and an opportunity."

The quarterbacks spent most of Monday's session on passing drills and getting teammates aligned at the line of scrimmage. It's too early to speculate who is progressing ahead of the others.

Clayton, the starter the past two seasons, passed for 2,220 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. The senior-to-be said he welcomes the competition, which he believes will help the team improve at all positions.

Like his coach, Clayton is learning the new schemes with enthusiasm.

"It's not rocket science," Clayton said of Hauck's version of the spread offense, which will involve more running plays than previous coach Mike Sanford's spread. "But you have to be dedicated to studying and learning. We only have 15 spring practices to master the playbook before the season."

Hauck makes minor changes to helmet

The Rebels' silver helmet will look the same this fall — with one small exception.

Gone is the black stripe down the middle. But the arched UNLV logo on the side, which is in red letters, will stay the same.

Blue jerseys

There were four jersey colors in use for Monday's practice — white for offensive players, red for defensive players, green for the seven quarterbacks and three rehabbing players in blue jerseys, a new twist for the program.

The three were junior defensive end B.J. Bell (shoulder), and freshmen offensive linemen Daniel Kaanana and Sean Tesoro. Tesoro started two games at left guard last year as a redshirt freshman before injuring his ankle. He earned a medical red-shirt.

Gorman QB at practice

Bishop Gorman High freshman quarterback Anu Solomon, who completed 108 passes for 2,026 yards and 19 touchdowns last fall in helping Gorman to win the state title, watched Monday's practice.

Before playing in one high school game last fall, the 6-foot, 180-pound Solomon had a scholarship offer from former coach Mike Sanford's staff. Solomon was offered the scholarship after shining at UNLV's team camp last summer.