UNLV’s offense dominates in scrimmage

ELY — UNLV’s offense dominated a goal-line scrimmage this morning, but considering the circumstances, defensive coordinator Dennis Therrell wasn’t upset.

He said the defense put in the goal-line package just this morning.

"I’m not unhappy because I know what the problem was," Therrell said. "They had never taken a snap in it. We had some guys in positions they had never been in. We’ll get them coached up."

The Rebels ran five sets of the goal-line scrimmage, each series beginning as a second down at the 4-yard line. UNLV’s offense scored four times.

Junior tailback Channing Trotter scored the first touchdown on a 4-yard run. He was stuffed up the middle, and then bounced outside to the right to score easily.

The other scores were on a 3-yard run by sophomore quarterback Mike Clausen, a 4-yard pass from junior quarterback Omar Clayton to sophomore tight end Austin Harrington, and a 4-yard pass from incoming freshman quarterback Caleb Herring to Harrington.

The defense’s one stop occurred when redshirt freshman linebacker David Blair stopped redshirt freshman tailback Imari Thompson 3 yards short of the goal line.

Good thing for the defense this wasn’t two weeks from now.

"If it’s two days from now, I’d be very disappointed," Therrell said.

SOME PLAYS BY THE DEFENSE

In an earlier scrimmage, the defense held its own. Though tackling wasn’t allowed in that session, one of the top plays occurred when junior defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui brought down Trotter for a 3-yard loss.

Of the 17 plays, the offense picked up three first downs. Each play, however, was a first-and-10 situation.

BACK AND FORTH

Incoming freshman wide receiver Mark Barefield made a sensational high catch over junior cornerback Quinton Pointer in the left corner of the end zone on a seven-on-seven drill. Pointer then responded with an interception on the next play.

MOVING AHEAD

Senior Jerriman Robinson has gone ahead of sophomore Michael Johnson as a first-team wide receiver.

REWARDED

Junior cornerback David Biggs, sophomore linebacker Matt Kravetz and Harrington were given scholarships.

WEARING THE BLACK

Clayton wore the black jersey for the offense and senior linebacker Jason Beauchamp donned it for the defense, signifying they were the top practice performers Monday. The offensive nominees were Harrington and senior wide receiver Ryan Wolfe. There were no other defensive nominees.