UNLV Rebels Camp Report, Aug. 15

QB Sherry shows resilience
in bid for starting job

ELY - Good thing UNLV coach Bobby Hauck didn't pick Tuesday to name redshirt freshman Nick Sherry his starting quarterback.

Sherry missed two wide-open receivers for sure touchdowns and had another passed intercepted.

But then Sherry also showed why he appears to be the favorite to start when the Rebels open the season Aug. 30 against Minnesota at Sam Boyd Stadium.

He came back to connect with redshirt freshman tight end Jake Phillips on a 36-yard pass and ended practice with a 12-yard touchdown toss to sophomore wide receiver Devante Davis. Though Davis did most of the work by laying out in the back of the end zone for the catch, Sherry placed the ball where only the receiver could make the play.

"He's shown a nice knack for when he doesn't get off to a good start of being able to come back and compete and play well," Hauck said.

Hauck said the competition at quarterback remains open, but Sherry has consistently been the first QB onto the field in the team portion of practices.

He refused to read too much into how repetitions are divided.

"I'm out here competing with all our quarterbacks," Sherry said. "We're coming out here every day working hard, and we let coaches worry about that stuff."

NOTABLE

Junior cornerback Sidney Hodge intercepted three passes off three quarterbacks. He returned his interception off Sherry for a 55-yard touchdown, picked off a deep pass from junior Caleb Herring and made a diving grab of a bomb from senior Sean Reilly. ... Redshirt freshman defensive end Sonny Sanitoa, who had an MRI on his knee Monday, will not need surgery. He will undergo rehabilitation and was expected to join the team in Ely on Tuesday night. ... Two offensive linemen, senior Doug Zismann and freshman Ron Scoggins, were held out as a precaution because of headaches or dizziness. ... Junior defensive end Parker Holloway had a sack and at least two quarterback pressures.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

WIDE RECEIVER: UNLV appears talented, but the Rebels are inexperienced. Though not listed below, freshmen Jonavaughn Williams and Michael Thomas could contend for playing time.

DEPTH CHART

THREE-RECEIVER SET

Player Ht. Wt. Yr.

RECEIVER NO. 1

Marcus Sullivan 5-9 195 So.

Maika Mataele 5-11 180 Jr.

RECEIVER NO. 2

Taylor Spencer 6-1 210 So.

Trey Mays 5-10 175 Sr.

RECEIVER NO. 3

Devante Davis 6-3 200 So.

Anthony Williams 5-11 190 Fr.