New guys do well first day in half-pads

When UNLV went into half-pads this morning for the first time this football camp, coach Bobby Hauck wasn't sure if the new players would continue the progress they've shown.

"I like the way some of our transfer guys are picking it up," he said. "The new guys really had value in the no-pads days. Generally, with the new guys, they take some backward steps when we put the pads on because they forget what they're doing a little bit. We didn't see a bunch of that, so I was encouraged by that."

Hauck singled out junior linebacker Princeton Jackson from the newcomers. He is the Rebels' highest-rated recruit in this year's class.

"I think Princeton Jackson's being a guy that showing he's going to work his way into the mix early," Hauck said.

SITTING TIGHT

UNLV's tight ends seemed to be the main target of quarterbacks throughout the morning.

Hauck said it wasn't necessarily by design.

"It depends on coverage," he said. "If we're tilting our coverage toward the wide receivers, then those tight ends are able to work a guy over who's kind of singled on him that we're able to take advantage of, which our offense did today."

LOOKING AHEAD

The Rebels again go into half-pads at 8 a.m. today at Rebel Park, and they don full pads Saturday. That will be their final practice before leaving Sunday for Ely. All practices are open to the public.