An idea to use Jacquizz Rodgers more as a receiver started during spring practice.

The tailback was held out of contact so his injured shoulder could heal. While group drills were run with the younger players, Rodgers and quarterback Sean Canfield worked on their own.

Canfield threw pass after pass to Rodgers. As training camp progressed, the pass plays to Rodgers continued.

It wasn't just busy work. Rodgers led the Beavers in receptions in Saturday's season opener with four catches for 32 yards - all in the first half.

"If we can make that come alive, then it adds a feature for the defense to worry about," coach Mike Riley said.

Rodgers caught 29 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown last season, an average of 2.6 receptions in the 11 games he played.

If he keeps up his current pace through a 12-game regular season he'll end up with 48 receptions, 52 with the addition of a bowl game.

"It's good to get in open space and have an opportunity to do something different," Rodgers said. "When you get in open space you get an opportunity to make someone miss and I like doing that."

The Beavers plan to use Rodgers as the primary receiver on certain plays, on some screens and frequently as the dump off option if the deep receivers are covered.

Canfield will toss a short pass to Rodgers in the flat and let him work his magic.

"Hitting Quizz out of the backfield is a good thing," Canfield said. "With his talent he can take a 2-yard route and take it all the way."

Using Rodgers as a backfield receiver also slows the pass rush. Defenses must have someone account for him, taking away someone who can blitz.

Rodgers mostly blocked on pass plays last year. As a true freshman and the featured back, the Beavers didn't want to put too much responsibility on him too fast.

Now that he's settled into his role as the focal point of the offense, they are adding to his workload. He likes it because it helps him develop into a well-rounded back.

"I would like to do both, run the ball and catch," Rodgers said. "I like running screens most. Doing this will be good for me and the offense."

Vegas recruiting

Over the years the Beavers have found several standout players from Las Vegas, such as Richard Seigler and Steven Jackson. The latest were Jeff Van Orsow and Gerard Lawson.

No Las Vegas players are on the current roster. A game such as Saturday's at UNLV could help improve their image to the area athletes.

"You would have some residual benefits," Riley said. "We haven't gotten anyone from Vegas recently, but we've had a great history. We'd like to go back and get some more guys. They have had a lot of fine guys and good players come out of there."

Parker returns

Redshirt freshman Keynan Parker has returned from a shoulder injury and will play on special teams starting this week. He'll work into the cornerback position soon.

Parker injured his shoulder in the first week of training camp and missed a month of practice.

"I think he has potential as a corner, but he missed so much work in coverage," Riley said. "I don't see him out there yet. But running down the kicks and punts; he's fast and tough."

Moevao ready

Lyle Moevao is expected to travel to UNLV this weekend as the emergency No. 3 quarterback, Riley said. Moevao (shoulder) hasn't had a full practice of throwing, yet, but could do enough that if the Beavers reached the No. 3 quarterback in a game, he could run the clock out.

Quick hits

The Beavers moved up one spot in the coaches' poll to No. 24, but remain just outside the top 25 in The Associated Press poll. ... LB coach Greg Newhouse was an assistant with UNLV from 1978-79. ... UNLV starters LB Jason Beauchamp (ankle) and WR Rodelin Anthony (foot) are questionable this week.