Rebels’ QB battle rages on

Bobby Hauck begs to differ, saying all four quarterbacks are getting nearly equal attention, but Caleb Herring appeared to spend most of the spring running UNLV's first-team offense.

That's not to say he will be the starting quarterback when the Rebels open the season Aug. 30 against Minnesota, but Herring consistently has been on target with his passes.

He wasn't satisfied, however.

"There have been a lot of things left on the field that could've been better, but that's also part of spring ball," Herring said. "I definitely feel that the effort has been there, the competition is there. Spring is probably not going to be the end of competition at any position."

Herring, a junior and the returning starter, is in a four-player battle.

What happens in the annual spring game at 5 p.m. today at Rebel Park should have little effect on the race because it's a show for fans, but it will give those supporters an idea of where each quarterback stands.

"It's generally my least favorite practice of the spring," said Hauck, the Rebels' third-year coach. "It's like another day (for evaluation)."

Hauck said Herring, redshirt freshman Nick Sherry, senior Sean Reilly and junior James Boyd are about even.

"It's been a pretty close competition," Hauck said. "We haven't made any decisions in that regard."

The competition is expected to be close throughout training camp in August.

Sherry, who often has looked sharp this spring, should provide Herring his biggest challenge. Coaches thought about playing Sherry last season, but wanted to give him an extra year to develop.

Boyd, a former Southern California player, would be a candidate to move to defensive end if he isn't in the mix at quarterback. He wasn't on the depth chart, but Hauck said that's because he didn't want to list four quarterbacks.

"He's getting a lot of plays," Hauck said. "We're trying to make it fair to him and let him get into these six weeks and see how he does in terms of the mental part of it."

The quarterbacks take a short break following today's game to rest and concentrate on final exams. Then the summer work begins.

"This coming summer is going to be a crucial point for all of us," Herring said.

■ NOTES - Fans are encouraged to arrive early because of a 6 p.m. baseball game against Air Force at Wilson Stadium that could fill the parking lots. ... A football clinic for children ages 6 to 12 will begin at 6:30 p.m. Concession stands also will be set up for the game, and there will be family activities that include face painting and a bounce house. ... UNLV will host "junior day," with prospects from the area and California expected to attend.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.