QB Palandech stands out before storms halt UNLV spring practice

By Jesse Granger

Saturday, April 9, 2016 | 8:38 p.m.

UNLV football fans were hoping Saturday’s Spring Showcase scrimmage would bring clarity to many of the team’s positional battles.

Unfortunately, a torrential downpour accompanied by lightning strikes canceled the scrimmage early.

Rain and hail battered the 2,800 in attendance and flooded the streets and sidewalks surrounding Peter Johann Memorial Field, while strong winds sent tents airborne.

According to the NCAA, “To resume athletics activities, lightning safety experts recommend waiting 30 minutes after both the last sound of thunder and after the last flash of lightning is at least six miles away, and moving away from the venue.”

There was expected to be a mandatory 30-minute delay, but after the storm sent fans running for shelter, the showcase was officially canceled.

“The officials called it,” Tony Sanchez said. “If it was just raining, we would have kept rolling.”

In the limited action, junior quarterback Kurt Palandech stood out. He led two of the more impressive drives on the day and finished one off with a 9-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Trevor Kanteman.

Palandech stepped into heavy pressure and delivered a strike to Kanteman, who beat defensive back Dalton Baker on a slant route.

Palandech finished the day 3-of-6 for 42 yards and one touchdown, while junior transfer Johnny Stanton completed 3-of-7 for 54 yards.

“I thought the quarterbacks did good,” Sanchez said. “They did some good things, and had a few things that they missed on, but those guys are moving along and we definitely have two guys that can play.”

The battle at quarterback is no clearer than prior to the scrimmage, but sophomore Lexington Thomas appears to be the most talented running back for the Rebels.

“I would definitely say that Lexington Thomas individually did some phenomenal things, and that’s expected,” Sanchez said.

Thomas finished with only five carries for 20 yards but dazzled fans with multiple plays in which he broke several tackles.

Brandon Presley led the team in receiving with two catches for 59 yards, including a monster run after the catch. Devonte Boyd caught two passes for only 16 yards.

A new addition to the spring showcase was Sanchez lining up UNLV's future commits and announcing them one by one.

“It was great having those guys out here and introducing them to the crowd,” Sanchez said. “And there were a lot of kids that we are recruiting in the next cycle that were here today, too.”

Tyjon Lindsey, a four-star wide receiver at Bishop Gorman, was one of the many high school players on the sidelines.

Sanchez viewed the day as a positive.

“The great thing is we got a bunch of fans out here,” Sanchez said. “They got to watch a good half of football and get a little glimpse of it. You can see how interested people are now and we just have to keep that rolling.”

Next up for the Rebels will be practices in August.