Decker to lead No. 1 offense in UNLV spring game

UNLV senior Blake Decker has edged ahead at quarterback and will take most of the snaps with the first-team offense in the spring game.

The Rebels close spring football practices with the game at noon Saturday at Johann Memorial Field.

Decker (6 feet 2 inches, 205 pounds) was last season’s starter, but has been battling sophomore Kurt Palandech (6-1, 190) and redshirt freshman Kevin Thomson (6-1, 185). Now it’s more of a two-man race, and Palandech also will operate the starting offense for part of the spring game, though Thomson isn’t completely out of the running.

“We haven’t made a firm decision, but I think Decker’s a little ahead,” coach Tony Sanchez said. “They’ve got to keep battling it out, but he’s starting to play a lot better.”

Sanchez has said he would like to name a starter by the end of spring, but the race has been too close. A strong showing by Decker on Saturday could clarify the situation. He completed 57.6 percent of his passes last season for 2,886 yards and 15 touchdowns, but also threw 18 interceptions.

On Saturday, Sanchez said the first-team offense will face the first- and second-team defenses, and the second-string offense will go against both units as well. After some goal-line and special teams work, the actual game will last 20 minutes.

“You’re going to see an energetic, fired-up football team,” Sanchez said. “You’re going to see the beginning of kind of a new era in Rebel football. We really believe in what’s going on here, and I know the kids do, too. We have a long way to go, but at the end of the day, we have to embrace this university. Our community has to embrace this university. People have got to get behind us, and we’ve got to fight hard for them. We’ve got a chance to make this a special place.”

■ COACHING ’EM UP — As Sanchez decides who will be his starting quarterback, he has a graduate assistant who knows what it’s like to play the position.

Cody Green, who is in his first year at UNLV, started four games and played in 14 others at Nebraska in 2009 and 2010. He then transferred to Tulsa, starting 20 of the 21 games he played in the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

After his playing days ended, Green pursued coaching.

“I wasn’t ready to give up football yet,” he said. “I felt like I had a little bit to give to the kids that the coaches gave to me.”

He came to Las Vegas each offseason to work out during his college days and got to know Sanchez when he was Bishop Gorman High School’s coach. Sanchez asked Green to be on his Gorman staff to coach tight ends last season.

Though Green now helps with the Rebels’ wide receivers, he spends a lot of time with the quarterbacks as well, mentoring them on the sidelines.

“I love being with them and getting the feel of the quarterback,” Green said. “If I can’t play it, I’d rather be close to them so I can see it and feel like I’m there.”

He is one of three graduate assistants. C.J. Cox, a former UNLV running back and linebacker, has been a graduate assistant the past two seasons. Former Nebraska tight end Ben Cotton, whose dad is offensive coordinator Barney Cotton, is in his first season.

■ FOR SALE — UNLV will sell new and worn apparel from its different sports teams from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the North Gym. The used apparel was worn in games.

Prices range from $1 to $50. The money goes to the athletic department.

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.