Top practice performer to wear black jersey

Nebraska has the Blackshirts. UNLV now has the black jersey.

Rebels quarterbacks used to wear black jerseys in practice to let pass rushers know they were off-limits. For now -- until new green jerseys arrive -- the quarterbacks are wearing white like their offensive teammates.

UNLV coaches are awarding a single black jersey to the top standout from the previous practice.

Defensive tackle Jacob Hales became the first recipient Monday -- beating out wide receiver Casey Flair and cornerback Quinton Pointer -- because of his effort the first week of practice.

Hales again wore the black jersey in Wednesday's practice at Rebel Park, after beating out Pointer, defensive end Thor Pili and wide receiver Ryan Wolfe because of his performance in Monday's drills.

Coach Mike Sanford said the award will continue all spring and into training camp in August.

As for the quarterbacks, even though they will wear green jerseys, they won't be completely off-limits. UNLV ran several full-contact practices last spring to prepare the quarterbacks for the hard hits that come with running the shotgun spread.

"To really evaluate them as runners, you've got to go live," Sanford said. "It's a very good competition, and all three of them can run and throw."

Omar Clayton, who is competing with Mike Clausen and Travis Dixon, said he welcomed the hard knocks.

"Especially in the games, you're definitely going to take some licks, so you've got to be ready to take it," Clayton said.

• HELP WANTED -- Sanford is looking for a running backs coach, after Reggie Davis left to become an assistant at Oregon State.

Sanford said he is awaiting word from human resources before making a hire and is overseeing the backs himself in the meantime.

The last time Sanford coached running backs was in 2003 and 2004 as Utah's offensive coordinator.

Davis rejoined Oregon State coach Mike Riley, whom he played under with the San Diego Chargers. Sanford was an assistant on that Chargers staff.

"I think any time you're getting coaches hired off your staff by Pac-10 schools, that's a positive thing," Sanford said.

• INJURY UPDATE -- Center John Gianninoto is out for at least this week with mononucleosis and an enlarged spleen.

Linebacker Jimmy Miller probably will be held out of contact drills until Monday because of a sprained right shoulder.

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