UNLV’s Sanchez: ‘I don’t think anybody here doubts we can win football games’

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, March 8, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Kendal Keys didn’t stop running in pursuit of the overthrown football by Dalton Sneed. He dove and made a spectacular catch, turning in one of the top plays Monday in the first UNLV football spring practice.

Tight end Andrew Price likely had the other toward the end of the roughly two-hour session, catching a ball in between a pair of defenders to draw loud cheers from teammates.

The Rebels are working to turn the close defeats that plagued last year’s 3-9 season into wins, starting this week with spring practice.

“There’s a sense that we can get this thing done. I don’t think anybody here doubts that we can win football games now after last year and all those close calls,” UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said.

The Rebels’ 15-session spring practice has a different feel this year in Sanchez’s second season. Last year, players were feeling out the new coaching staff, and learning new formations and plays. This year, it is a continuation of the development.

“As far as where we are as an offense and defense, and special teams (with) installing stuff. We are night and day from where we were a year ago,” Sanchez said.

Junior college transfers Johnny Stanton at quarterback and Robert Jackson in the secondary made their debuts, and each appeared to be as good as advertized. Stanton, a former four-star recruit whose career started at Nebraska, seemed confident running the offense. Jackson's athleticism in the secondary was obvious.

Many expect Stanton to be the Rebels starter in the fall, but he must beat out returners Kurt Palandech and Sneed starting this spring. The junior Palandech has a head start in grasping the offense, passing for nine touchdowns as the backup 2015 and rushing for four touchdowns.

“Johnny makes the whole (quarterback) group more competitive,” Sanchez said.

The competition was noticeably absent at times last season — and not just at quarterback. Because of injury, the Rebels played just two quarterbacks. For the season finale, they dressed one tight end.

“They’ve got to show up and do everything right. They’ve got to be coachable, they’ve got to be hungry and push the entire group,” Sanchez said. “If we’re all willing to do that and check our egos at the door, we have a great shot to get this program rolling.”

Spring practice continues at 8:10 a.m. Wednesday at Rebel Park on campus. All practices are open to the public.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21