Clayton, Clausen still doing battle

But coach Bobby Hauck still hasn’t announced which quarterback will help implement that game plan: senior Omar Clayton or junior Mike Clausen.

Hauck said he hopes to decide on a starting quarterback by Monday.

Clausen, who came on strong last week at the Rebels’ training camp in Ely after missing two days to an ankle injury, acknowledged that it’s difficult to focus on preparing for a ranked Big Ten opponent while trying to win the starting job.

"Playing against a new defense now, you’re going to make some mistakes," Clausen said of facing UNLV’s scout team in practice. "You don’t want those mistakes to kind of hold you over. You want to do everything right, but at the same time, it’s your first time going through this. You’ve got to give yourself some slack."

Clayton, who has had a strong preseason, seemed more bothered by the new yellow practice jerseys assigned to the quarterbacks than his bid to retain the starting job.

"You’ve got to take care of your business, and that part will work out," Clayton said. "So I’m just worried about Wisconsin and practicing every day."

Redshirt freshman Caleb Herring is also in contention but will probably start the season as the third-string quarterback.

Quarterback is the Rebels’ most prominent position up for grabs but not the only one. So Hauck is combining preparation for the season opener with trying to answer some of the lineup questions.

"I just feel like we need to continue to get better," Hauck said.

■ UNENDING BATTLE — The tailback position will be an ongoing competition.

Four running backs — senior Channing Trotter, junior C.J. Cox, redshirt freshman Bradley Randle and freshman Tim Cornett — are expected to play, and the starter could change weekly depending upon performance.

■ WEARING RED — Hauck said most of the freshmen will be redshirted, but those decisions haven’t been finalized.

The best bets to play: Cornett, defensive ends Ian Bobak and Perry Cooper, cornerbacks Sidney Hodge, Kenneth Penny and Eric Tuiloma, defensive tackles Tyler Gaston, Nate Holloway and Kjelby Oiland, kicker and punter Nolan Kohorst, linebacker Tani Maka, fullback Brett Rather and wide receiver Marcus Sullivan.

■ INJURY UPDATE — Most players who missed the end of camp in Ely have returned to practice, but starting offensive tackle Matt Murphy wore a boot on his left foot Wednesday and backup Shane Watterson was on crutches.

Hauck said he hoped to get Murphy back soon, but Watterson was expected to miss "a few weeks" because of a lower-leg injury.

■ BREAKFAST WITH BOBBY — Each Thursday before home games, Hauck will meet with boosters and fans at 7:30 a.m. on the second floor of Big Dog’s Cafe, 6390 W. Sahara Ave.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.