Rebels lineman prefers anonymity to notoriety

Editor's note: This is the latest installment of a feature in which the Las Vegas Review-Journal asks 20 questions of a UNLV football player. Today's Q&A is with center John Gianninoto, a junior from Catalina Foothills High School in Tucson, Ariz.

Gianninoto and the Rebels (2-5) play at New Mexico (0-6) at 5 p.m. PDT Saturday.

1. Do you ever wish offensive linemen received the attention of a wide receiver or quarterback?

I don't like all that attention. I don't think any of us do. The only attention we get is when we mess up, so it's good not to have attention for us.

2. What do you think about receiving attention only for mistakes?

I think it's more motivational. It definitely keeps us from getting our names said, so that's a good thing.

3. Is your personality to want to be out of the limelight?

I'm kind of more an in-the-back type guy, a little quieter. I talk on the field.

4. What's the hardest part about being a center?

I think the hardest thing is making sure all five guys are on the same page, directing the calls back and forth. If we have two guys doing one thing and the other two doing the other, we have to get them on the same page.

5. How difficult is it to handle the line calls on top of snapping the ball and blocking?

It's more training yourself to do it. I'm used to it now. I've been a center throughout high school and since I've been here, so it's not too difficult. It's like a receiver learning how to catch.

6. What's the first thing you look at (when you get to the line)?

The first thing I look at is the down linemen and call out the front to see if it's even or odd. From there, I look at (line)backer.

7. If the defense is faking a blitz, it makes it harder, doesn't it?

(We do) a lot of film study, so we know if they bluff what they're going to do.

8. Who's the toughest defensive lineman you've had to block?

No. 54 from Oregon State (Stephen Paea). He's a pretty good guy. He had a low center of gravity, and he came off real fast.

9. Having grown up in Tucson, are you an Arizona fan?

I don't think about the Wildcats anymore.

10. So when you beat Arizona State last year, there wasn't any extra satisfaction?

It definitely felt good. I had a lot of family and friends that came up. I have a lot of friends that go to U of A. They were excited, and I was excited. It was good to play against those guys, but I guess my biggest rival is Reno. It wasn't really a rivalry game for me.

11. You played baseball and basketball in high school. Were you good in those sports?

I think I was all right. I mostly grew up playing baseball. ... I always played catcher, so I was natural at that. And then basketball, my brother (Scott) was always a basketball player, so he was always making me guard him.

12. What's your favorite sport?

I like golf. When I have down time, that's what I enjoy doing. I'll go out with my dad (Tom) and my brother, so that's a good time.

13. How good are you?

Not like the best, but probably mid-80s. I get more satisfaction hitting the ball real long. I've hit it like 350 (yards) before, but it's my putting that's pretty bad. That's the hard part for me. I don't have any touch.

14. Do your folks still own an Italian restaurant?

No, we sold it (about a year ago).

15. How long did they have it?

Twenty-five years, I believe. My parents are getting older. My dad's like 61, my mom (Lynn) just turned 60. They're teaching now. My dad is a (high school) biology teacher; my mom works with special-ed students.

16. Did you grow up eating Italian food?

All the time. My aunt and uncle own another Italian restaurant, so we had two Italian restaurants. So every holiday it's all Italian food.

17. Is Italian your favorite, or did you get tired of it?

It's my favorite. I enjoy it when I go home. I kind of took it for granted always having it.

18. Any favorite dish?

I really like sausage and peppers. My grandma makes that pretty good, so she always has that waiting for me when I come home.

19. Do you cook?

Not as good.

20. I understand you're into Frisbee golf?

Just a thing to do in the offseason with some of the receivers. It's kind of a sport where all of us are equal at. You don't have to be fast. You don't have to be strong. It's more accurate and how can throw a Frisbee.

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