Payne pumped up for encore

On a wall in his office in the Lied Athletic Complex, Kris Cinkovich has hung framed action photos of UNLV's wide receivers.

Displayed among them is the famous picture of one of the greatest catches in UNLV history: Phillip Payne's reaching-back, one-handed reception that sent last year's game at nationally ranked Arizona State into overtime.

Cinkovich, the Rebels' wide receivers coach, would prefer to replace that photo with something more lasting.

"I told him, 'That was "The Catch." Now we've got to build "The Career," ' " Cinkovich said of Payne.

As a freshman, Payne was making strides on becoming more than a one-dimensional player who catches fade passes in the end zone. The Western High School product was starting to expand his game before being sidelined by two concussions.

Though his progress was set back by missed games and practices, Payne went back to work in the spring and has continued his development through summer conditioning and into preseason camp.

Before the Sept. 5 season opener against Sacramento State, Payne wants to be the type of receiver who's as comfortable going over the middle in traffic as he is setting up in the corner of the end zone for a jump ball.

"I feel like I got a whole lot better," Payne said. "I've learned more."

He has a great base to build on, catching 29 passes for 436 yards and seven touchdowns. After his catch to help defeat Arizona State, Payne came back the next week to snag a fade for a touchdown in overtime to beat Iowa State.

"Before I came in, I didn't think I was going to play that (much)," he said. "I started making plays, started feeling better, started getting in the groove."

Payne was on his way to breaking the Mountain West Conference freshman record of eight touchdown catches before getting injured. He suffered a concussion Oct. 25 at Brigham Young, then another Nov. 8 against New Mexico and was done for the season.

Payne said sitting out fed his desire to come back stronger, which he literally has, bulking up to 200 pounds on his 6-foot-3-inch frame.

"I want everything much more because it can be taken away from you like that," he said.

Cinkovich acknowledges that Payne's larger build doesn't insulate him from further concussions, pointing out those two hits had nothing to do with size. But getting bigger should help Payne become a better receiver, a point driven home for Cinkovich last weekend when he watched a televised replay of the Arizona State game.

"It was shocking to me how skinny he looked in that game, compared to what he is now," Cinkovich said. "He's about 18 pounds heavier than when he first came here last July. Seeing that old film from that perspective, I can see the difference. I think it's dramatic, and it will show, too. He's more physical."

Payne is taking Cinkovich's direction about being remembered for more than a catch or two. He wants to provide plenty of other memories before his UNLV career is over.

Not to mention, more photos for Cinkovich's wall of fame.

"He's got to make new plays," Cinkovich said. "It's a new season. Nobody cares what you've done in the past."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest practice reports at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.