Johnny Stanton, Kurt Palandech still battling for Rebels’ QB job

The UNLV quarterback competition continues to be a tight two-man race between juniors Johnny Stanton and Kurt Palandech, who had similar outings Saturday in a scrimmage that was open to the public at Rebel Park.

Palandech started the scrimmage, which drew about 80 fans and featured 82 plays, which was the equivalent of a full game. Both engineered touchdown drives, with Palandech throwing a short TD pass to Brandon Presley and Stanton scoring on a 30-yard run.

“Kurt came out and played real well early, then slowed down a bit. Johnny started slow and played well later, then they both did some good things at the end,” Rebels coach Tony Sanchez said. “After we watch the film, I’m sure I’ll feel one way or another, but after just watching those guys, Kurt did some really good things. He throws some really good balls and makes good plays with his feet, but then you see Johnny do the same thing.”

Sanchez had hoped to name a starter early in camp, but after 10 practices, he said the competition is still too close to call.

“It’s going to come down to decision making,” he said. “We’ve got to go in and evaluate who’s making better consistent decisions.

“Right now, where we’re at, we’ve got another good week in us, if not longer.”

Each quarterback said he “absolutely” thinks he should be the starter.

“If you don’t, you shouldn’t be on this field,” Palandech said. “I think everyone on this field should have the attitude that they want to start. It makes the whole team better.”

Said Stanton: “That’s what I have to tell myself, is that I’m going to win it.”

The competition appears to be a friendly one.

“We’re both competitors, but we help each other at the same time,” Palandech said. “We’re competing on the field, in the weight room, in the classroom, everything. It’s been fun. That’s what Division I sports is all about.”

Said Stanton: “I’ve been telling everybody this is the best quarterback room I’ve been in, probably ever. Every single quarterback gets along real well. Kurt and I are able to joke around on the field. It’s the first time I’ve had that experience, especially with the guy I’m competing with.”

• HIGHLIGHTS — Lantz Worthington, a Centennial High School product, broke loose for a 70-yard TD run, and David Greene had an 18-yard TD run. LaKeith Walls and Jeremiah Valoaga each had a sack, and Jay’Onn Myles and Salah Boyce (Arbor View) each blocked a field goal.

Allan Cui III, a 5-foot-5-inch redshirt freshman walk-on wide receiver from Hawaii, was the smallest player on the field but one of the biggest standouts, catching every ball thrown his way.

“What I love about him is he took advantage of his opportunities,” Sanchez said. “One of the biggest lessons we’re trying to teach this team is being big and highly recruited and three stars, it’s all fluff. It means nothing.

“When you get out there in a competitive situation, do you produce? That’ll determine whether or not we think you’re a three-star.”

• UNLV COMMITS — Three-star recruit Jaelon Darden, a wide receiver from Houston, orally committed to UNLV on Friday. And Johnny Johnson III, a two-star wideout from Chandler, Ariz., committed to the Rebels on Saturday.

Darden had offers from Virginia Tech, Memphis and Southern Mississippi, among others. Johnson had offers from UNR, New Mexico and Wyoming, among others.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow him on Twitter: @tdewey33