UNLV spring football recap No. 11: Quarterbacks step up their game

Following Saturday’s football practice at Rebel Park, Johnny Stanton said UNLV’s quarterbacks, including himself, needed to step up their games.

On Monday, they did. Stanton made big strides and fellow quarterbacks Kurt Palandech, Dalton Sneed and Christian Lopez also played well, particularly during the team’s red-zone drill.

“It was the best day our quarterbacks have had. Johnny, by far, had his best day of spring so far,” Rebels coach Tony Sanchez said. “In the high red (20-yard line and in) and low red (10 and in), he really started to look confident throwing the ball. That was good to see. There was tremendous improvement today on our quarterback play.

“Down there, you have to make such quick decisions and you’ve got to really be protective of the football. Points are already on the board. We talk about that all the time. We had no turnovers in the period, we threw a bunch of balls on time and put the ball in the end zone, so that was pretty good.”

Here’s a quick recap of Monday’s practice, the 12th of 14 leading up to UNLV’s spring game at noon Saturday at Peter Johann Memorial Field.

HIGHLIGHTS

* Palandech threw a pair of 8-yard touchdown passes on fade routes to wide receiver Kendal Keys, who made a nice catch in the corner of the end zone, and 6-foot-6-inch tight end Andrew Price, who reached over 5-10 linebacker Matt Lea to make the catch.

* Stanton hooked up with wide receiver Brandon Presley on a deep ball.

* Defensive back Troy Hawthorne intercepted a pass by Palandech.

* Defensive back Javin White forced a fumble by Sneed.

QUOTE

“It’s one of the hardest practices there is because that first week, you’re not in full pads. Then you don’t even have a Saturday (practice) because it’s spring (break). So this is a Monday after a full-blown scrimmage Saturday. I expected them to come out and take a minute to get going but they actually did a really good job. They flew around today,” Sanchez said. “We’re getting better. I like where we’re at. We’re at a good place. We’ve gotten better every day and that’s the goal.”