Rebels to begin preparations for opener against Utah State

ELY — When UNLV’s football team returns to the practice today, the Rebels will begin preparing for their opponents.

Preseason practices, so far, have been only about UNLV.

“We’re going to do general practice for the season through the end of the week, which will include Utah State stuff in it,” coach Mike Sanford said of the Rebels’ Aug. 30 opening opponent. “It’ll also have some other concepts of some people that we play.

“But then once we go back (to Las Vegas on Aug. 21), it’s all Utah State.”

UNLV did not practice Sunday. The Rebels go through two workouts today.

• NOT JUST FOR LINEMEN — Perhaps UNLV’s most physical drill is a three-on-three skirmish between offensive and defensive linemen while a tailback takes the handoff.

On Saturday, the Rebels also used receivers against linebackers and defensive backs.

“It’s about blocking and getting off blocks, and it’s a real competitive drill — offense versus defense,” Sanford said. “A lot of things show up in that. (Freshman safety) Shane Horton was outstanding.”

• OH, BROTHER — The Rebels have a Big Brother program in which a veteran spends time with a newcomer. They eat and hang out together to make the younger player feel like part of the team.

“It’s something we’ve done before,” Sanford said. “I guess we’ve put a little more emphasis on it.

“We look at our team as a family.”

A veteran will receive the Big Brother of the Year Award after the season.