Tight end Chris Clark no longer with Bruins
UCLA players run onto the field before a game against Virginia at the Rose Bowl on Sept. 5.
Reporting from LAS VEGAS — Freshman tight end Chris Clark has left the UCLA program.
Clark, who is from New Jersey, was not in Las Vegas for the Bruins’ game against Nevada Las Vegas. He posted on his Twitter site, “feels great to be back in the 201.” The 201 area code is in New Jersey.
Recruiting analysts considered Clark to be the top high school tight end in the nation at Avon (Conn.) Old Farms Prep last season. Clark had limited playing time in the season opener against Virginia.
Clark is the second member of the 2015 recruiting class to leave the program. Receiver Cordell Broadus did not report to training camp in August after deciding to quit football.
Meanwhile, freshman offensive lineman Fred Ulu-Perry was on the trip but was working out with the defensive linemen prior to the game. The Bruins lost defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes to a knee injury against Virginia last week.
There were nine other first-year freshmen on the trip — running back Soso Jamabo, quarterback Josh Rosen, receiver Stephen Johnson, defensive back Octavius Spencer, linebacker Joshua Woods, running back Bolu Olorunfunmi, defensive back Nate Meadors, offensive lineman Tevita Halalilo and defensive end Rick Wade.
Crowd count
UCLA coming to Las Vegas was a financial gold strike for UNLV.
UNLV officials were expecting a crowd of well over 30,000 in the 35,500-seat Sam Boyd Stadium.
“We’re expecting a packed stadium,” Coach Tony Sanchez said. “It’s an exciting deal for our community and kids.”
Out-of-towners from power conferences have been cha-ching moments for UNLV.
The Rebels have had 12 crowds of more than 30,000, five of which have been for games against Wisconsin. That includes a UNLV-record 42,075 in which the Badgers beat UNLV, 27-7, in 2002.
Wisconsin is responsible for the top three UNLV crowds — 42,075 (2002), 40,091 (1996) and 38,250 (2007).
The Rebels’ average crowd was 15,674 in 2014, with a total of 94,043 fans in six home games. The Rose Bowl, where the Bruins play home games, has a capacity of 92,542.
Old friends
Offensive tackle Caleb Benenoch was looking forward to UCLA’s first trip to Las Vegas for a regular-season game. It gave him a chance to catch up with UNLV offensive lineman Gavin Peterson.
Benenoch, a junior, and Peterson, a redshirt freshman, were teammates at Katy Seven Lakes High in Texas.
“It’ll be great to see him after the game,” Benenoch said
It was probably going to be a little greater for Benenoch. UCLA was a 30-point favorite.
“It’s going to be an interesting game” was all Benenoch said.
Hometown talent
UNLV had 18 players on its roster from greater Los Angeles.
That included starters tight end Jake Phillips (Lakewood High), defensive end Mark Finau (Los Angeles Cathedral), cornerback Tory McTyer (Cathedral) and Fred Wilson (Bakersfield West).
Anthony Williams, a starting receiver, is from Brentwood, but he played at Concord De La Salle.
Twitter: @cfosterlatimes
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
