Hauck says NCAA should keep current policy on two-a-days
ELY -- The NFL, in its most recent collective bargaining agreement, banned two-a-day practices.
In college football, offseason conditioning has made the sport nearly a year-round job, meaning players usually arrive for training camp in shape.
But UNLV coach Bobby Hauck suggested the NCAA shouldn't follow the NFL's lead in getting rid of two-a-days. The governing body for college athletics already bans two-a-day practices on successive days.
"Generally, when the NCAA butts into something, they goof it up," Hauck said.
"Unlike the NFL, we don't have preseason games. We've got to practice and get game-ready, so every minute that we've got in training camp counts."
UNLV had its final double-practice session Wednesday. The Rebels end camp with a scrimmage at 8 a.m. today before returning to Las Vegas.
The scrimmage largely will focus on preparing for the Sept. 1 season opener at No. 11 Wisconsin. UNLV will try to mirror the Badgers' offense and defense without actually resorting to play cards used in a typical scout-team session.
When the Rebels run a two-a-day session, they wear shorts in the morning and go in full gear in the afternoon.
Hauck said he prefers to use the morning practice to focus on "individual work," the passing game and nickel packages on defense. The afternoon session is more hard-hitting, with a lot of attention often given to the run game.
"Our one-a-day is harder than our two-a-day," Hauck said. "There's no doubt.
"(The players) like the two-a-day."
NOTABLE
Trevor Hemsath, a 6-foot-6-inch, 285-pound defensive lineman at Douglas High School in Minden, committed to UNLV. "I like their coaching staff, and I feel like Coach Hauck is bringing (the program) up," Hemsath said. ... Senior wide receiver Michael Johnson returned to full-contact practice for the first time since injuring his left knee Sunday. ... Sophomore wide receiver Kurt Davis made a sensational one-handed catch over redshirt freshman cornerback Kenneth Penny in the right corner of the end zone.
