Sanford increases tempo as Rebels begin spring practice

Ever since running his first UNLV spring football practice three years ago, coach Mike Sanford has insisted on setting a quick tempo.

Now he's taken that pace up a notch, challenging his team to improve its conditioning and stamina.

"The big thing is having a sense of urgency this year," Sanford said Monday following the first day of spring drills at Rebel Park. "Part of that is getting more (repetitions) in practice and getting more done.''

The Rebels put in 25 plays in a 15-minute pass skeleton drill -- quarterbacks and receivers working against defensive backs -- and they usually consider it a good day when they get in 18 repetitions.

"I thought it was really good energy," Sanford said of Monday's practice. "We got a lot done."

Unlike previous years under Sanford, the Rebels will have experience on their side.

Nine offensive starters return and five on defense. Sanford, however, will have a difficult time replacing standouts such as linebacker Beau Bell, cornerback Mil'Von James and safety Shane Horton.

"We've been a young team," Sanford said. "I wouldn't say we're a veteran team, but we're an older team."

Junior linebacker Jason Beauchamp said he already has noticed the difference on the practice field with so many experienced players.

"I think that a lot of guys now know their role,'' Beauchamp said. ''It'll be good for the team that we have a lot of returners. The younger players will have somebody to follow out here."

The Rebels will try to break a four-year run of two-victory seasons, including last year's 2-10 mark.

UNLV will take an eight-game losing streak into its Aug. 30 opener against Utah State, one of the two teams it beat last season.

"We had a bad taste in our mouth last season, and any time you get to look forward and work toward the next season, it's a great opportunity and it really motivates you," tailback Frank Summers said.

"We feel we have a great opportunity this year and a great chance to come out and compete week in and week out with the veteran players that we have. Really, we have no excuses. We feel like this is our year."

For seniors such as Summers, it's definitely their last shot to become winners.

"Really, it's like now or never for us,'' Summers said. ''If you're hungry for something, you're going to put in the work and the effort to go get it."

• NOTES -- Junior Joe Hawley moved from center to guard, senior Johan Asiata changed from offensive tackle to guard, senior Lorenzo Bursey Jr. went from wide receiver to cornerback and redshirt freshman Austin Harrington moved from defensive end to tight end. ... Asiata (shoulder), senior offensive tackle Richie Plunkett (back) of Las Vegas High School, and junior defensive end Luke Plante (knee) are out all spring. ...

Sanford singled out redshirt freshman quarterback Mike Clausen's work on the first day of practice. "I think Mike Clausen's going to be right in the middle of (the competition)," Sanford said. "He did a lot of good things today." ... Beauchamp said the defense is putting more blitzes into its packages under first-year coordinator Dennis Therrell.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2914.