Each day from the practice field at Broadbent Park, if UNLV’s football players have a moment, they can look up and see the steam-engine train roll by in the distance. Riding the train is one of the attractions, but the players know they will never have time to jump on board. They practice each day, going twice every other day. The rest of the time is spent in meetings studying previous practices and planning for the next one.
ELY — When his home burned down before he entered high school, Mark Barefield went to live with another family for three years.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Take the negative stereotypes you have heard or read or witnessed about a college athlete, put them in a coffee grinder and turn it on. UNLV Rebel Rodelin Anthony doesn’t fit any, right down to the classical music he meditates to minutes before kickoff.
One number, an impressive number, sticks out when looking at the football season UNLV’s Jason Beauchamp put together last year.
UNLV’s secondary needed capable bodies last season. While it remains to be seen if the defensive backfield is improved, it certainly is deeper.
Barely a year after sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury, UNLV linebacker Starr Fuimaono found himself badly hurt again.
UNLV’s football media guide lists Malo Taumua at defensive tackle and Isaako Aaitui at defensive end, just where both juniors ended the spring.
On a wall in his office in the Lied Athletic Complex, Kris Cinkovich has hung framed action photos of UNLV’s wide receivers.
UNLV freshman cornerback Courtney Bridget is a “high-character player” from Baltimore who doesn’t mind a bit of competitive fun with teammate Charles Childers.
Bradley Randle is used to dealing with expectations — and they are high at UNLV. As a top-rated recruit, he not only could play right away but also push for the starting job.
It’s not true. Brigham Young doesn’t have hotel rooms booked for Las Vegas’ bowl.
You know college football season is near when UNLV players are again asked to explain how they feel about being picked last in the Mountain West Conference.
UNLV interior offensive line coach Keith Uperesa underwent surgery for thyroid cancer last month, but there is hope the disease was discovered early enough.
UNLV athletic director Mike Hamrick’s policy was to sign only home-and-home football contracts, but then the recession hit and the state took a bite out of his budget.
