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(UWIRE) LAS VEGAS -- The UNLV Rebels have rarely found consistency in any facet of their team since head coach John Robinson left the team in 2004. But quarterbacks Omar Clayton and Travis Dixon have found themselves in one of the most consistent situations for UNLV after spring practices -- a battle for the starting quarterback position.
Both sophomore quarterbacks, who will go into fall camp battling for the starting job, looked sharp through the air on Friday night. Clayton hit on 9-of-11 pass attempts for 108 yards, no interceptions and two scores to Renan Saint Preux from 18 yards out and Jerriman Robinson from 16 yards out.
"I definitely thought the offense was very productive," Clayton said. "We did a good job coming out today and moving the ball."
Clayton was also incredibly successful on third down conversions. During the first possession, he converted on 3-of-3 third down attempts. For Clayton, the conversions are necessary for the Rebels to have a successful season. "[Third downs], coach stresses, that those are do-or-die situations," Clayton said. "You want to be smart with the ball, but you want to do what you need to do to pick up the yards."
Travis Dixon hit on three of his six attempts with one long distance touchdown to senior wide receiver Casey Flair for an 89-yard touchdown.
"It was a good performance," Dixon said about his play. "I can't have three-and-out drives, we can't have that offensively, so I was kind of down on one of the drives that I had, but other than that I think I did really well this spring and I thought it was a really fun night for everybody."
For head coach Mike Sanford, the decision was not finalized after the spring game. "Both quarterbacks did some good things and we know we have two guys coming back who can play and have played," Sanford said. "We'll wait seven to nine days into [August] camp and pick a starter. We won't play two."
Both quarterbacks felt their spring performances were powerful.
"I think I had a very strong spring camp," Clayton said. "Now the focus turns to conditioning and working out with all the receivers this summer and just putting in work for fall camp.
Dixon explained that though he was happy with his performance this spring, he knows that he has room to grow. "It's kind of what I envisioned, but after spring, there's always room for improvement. I got a lot of things to work on and carry over into fall camp."
Despite the ongoing struggle for starter, both players welcome the competition. "[Competition] is going to make us all strive for perfection as a quarterback group," Dixon said. "That's good for everybody."
Even Flair, who has been fielding passes from Clayton and Dixon enjoyed being involved in the competion. "It's getting easier [for me] as it goes, because you're getting used to each quarterback playing," Flair said. "You eventually have to make a decision, so it'll probably be in the fall, but we'll make one soon."
(C) 2008 The Rebel Yell via U-WIRE
