Rebels' offensive line starting to take shape

It may not be anywhere close to the caliber of the units he had at USC when All-Americans such as Tony Boselli, Anthony Munoz, Bruce Mathews, Brad Budde and Don Mosebar played for him. But UNLV coach John Robinson is starting to like what he sees from his offensive line.

Following the team's second scrimmage on Saturday night at Rebel Park, Robinson was asked his assessment of the young and inexperienced unit.

"I think it's coming together," he said. "I think we're still a little unsettled on our left side. (Tackle Brandon) Bair has a sore shoulder and some things like that have gotten in the way. But right now I feel OK about it."

Bair, a 6-6, 285-pound sophomore transfer from Southern Utah via Basic High, is expected to start at left tackle with junior Brian Hart and senior Glenn Pilarowski of Silverado High battling for left guard.

Junior Danny Pacheco is the likely starter at center despite missing several days of practice with a concussion. Junior college transfer Greg Hulett has also been impressive.

The right side of redshirt freshman guard Tony Terrell and junior tackle John Greer appears to be the strong point of the line.

"I think John Greer has been a big surprise," Robinson said of the former walk-on from Apple Valley (Calif.) High School. "Greer and Tony Terrell have both stood out as solid players."

Robinson added that two tight ends -- converted sophomore guard Pete Tramontanas and redshirt freshman Brad Osterhout -- have "had good fall camps so far."

* A REAL PAIN IN THE ...: Greer sat out Saturday night's scrimmage with what was called a sore back and a sore knee.

But he also had some severe pain right around the belt area in his back thanks to an infected ingrown hair which required an emergency trip to the hospital early Saturday morning.

"It ballooned to the size of a grapefruit," Rebel defensive coordinator Jeff McInerney said. "It was bad. It was ugly."

Greer had the area lanced and should be back at practice today.

* WHERE'S JT?: Heavily publicized USC transfer Jason Thomas has yet to play in the scrimmages because of a sore back.

The 6-4, 230-pound quarterback said he hopes to return to practice this week.

"I'm okay," he said. "I'll be back out there."

The Rebels' final scrimmage is scheduled for Thursday.

* MEANWHILE, OVER IN DENTON: UNLV wasn't the only team to scrimmage Saturday night.

North Texas, the Rebels' opening night opponent on Sept. 2 in Denton, Texas, held a two-hour scrimmage which had head coach Darrell Dickey buzzing with optimism.

"I thought the intensity level and the competition was outstanding," Dickey said. "We want to be known as a team that plays hard."

The first and second team units for the Mean Green ran 21 series in the scrimmage, scoring three touchdowns and kicking two field goals.

Redshirt freshman Michael Hickmon (5-11, 197), a former Dallas Morning News Top 100 prospect, rushed for 76 yards on 12 carries, including runs of 29 and 21 yards. The player Hickmon is battling for the starting tailback spot, junior speedster Ja'Quay Wilburn, added 69 yards on 11 carries, including a 12-yard touchdown run.

Senior quarterback Jason Attaway, who started eight games last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury at Idaho, completed seven of 13 passes for 89 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown pass to all-Big West wide receiver Broderick McGrew.

The Mean Green's final scrimmage is Wednesday night.

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