UNLV players fired up to be at camp

ELY -- UNLV's football players have shown an edge this training camp, with players physically getting into it with each other.

That transferred up north today, with big some big hits happening, including a massive one on a downfield block by senior tight end Anthony Vidal on sophomore cornerback Sidney Hodge. The shot shook up Hodge, who had to head to the sideline.

Anthony downplayed played the hit, but said there is a heightened attitude.

"Coming off a season like we did last year (2-11), we really want to step up our game and be more physical and aggressive, like our coach teaches us," Anthony said. "We're all just getting after it, and it's getting competitive."

Second-year coach Bobby Hauck said he noticed the difference of this practice compared to last year’s camp.

“The guys are excited to be here,” Hauck said. “They’re fired up about training camp, and it’s great to see. I didn’t sense that a year ago. I didn’t sense that our guys were excited to go grind it out in training camp. If you love football, you’ll love going away to training camp, and this is awesome. It’s great for our football team.”

PAYNE MAKES PROGRESS

Senior wide receiver Phillip Payne, who has been out with an injured right foot, did some light running. He also is out of his walking boot. Hauck said he still didn’t know if Payne would be back by the Sept. 1 season opener at Wisconsin.

BACK AND FORTH

Freshman cornerback Fred Wilson broke up a deep pass to freshman wide receiver Devante Davis, only to have Davis later come back and make a sensational one-handed grab despite Wilson’s tight coverage.