QB duel down to Moreno

Tim Graham

Thursday, Oct. 30, 1997 | 9:35 a.m.

The big quarterback showdown was supposed to take place in less than 48 hours at Sam Boyd Stadium.

That's where the top two gunslingers in the Western Athletic Conference were to meet. It was a shootout many were anxious to see.

But it won't happen. UNLV's Jon Denton cannot duel Colorado State's Moses Moreno when their teams tussle Saturday at 1:05 p.m.

The matchup was eliminated last week when UNLV suspended the WAC's total offense leader two games for breaking an unspecified rule. So instead of matching skills against the conference's most efficient passer, Denton will be forced to watch from the sidelines as Moreno tries to smoke the Rebels.

"It's a big blow to their team," CSU defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said about Denton's unavailability. "The kid is an extremely talented player."

Moreno enters Las Vegas with a 164.9 quarterback rating, qualifying him as the nation's fourth-best Division I-A passer behind UCLA's Cade McNown, Syracuse's Donovan McNabb and Washington State's Ryan Leaf.

The 6-foot-2, 187-pound senior has completed 106 of 176 passes (60 percent) for 1,659 yards, four interceptions and 16 touchdowns. He has the Rams atop the Pacific Division at 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the conference.

"I've been very impressed (with Moreno)," UNLV head coach Jeff Horton said. "He's really having an outstanding year. He's just made the plays for them when they've really needed it."

Moreno is not a flashy quarterback. He only averages 22 passes and 207 yards a game. But his ability to excel within the Rams' system earns him notice. He recently was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game, a gig former CSU quarterback Kelly Stouffer used to become a first-round draft pick.

"Moses has the ingredients," CSU head coach Sonny Lubick said. "To be a quarterback you have to have natural talent. He has a real strong arm, but his assets are his intangibles. He's got a good mental set about him. He's a tough guy, he works hard, plus he's intelligent."

Meanwhile, Denton's total offense average of 290.7 yards per game remains on hold. So does the sophomore's season stat line: 163 of 300 for 2,051 yards, 11 interceptions and 12 touchdowns.

Kevin Crook will strap on his holster for the second straight week in Denton's stead. Crook was 21 of 39 for 195 yards with two interceptions and two touchdowns last week at Fresno State. His two misfires were returned for scores in the Bulldogs' 46-28 victory.

Crook was devastated by the loss, which made him 0-2 in his career as a Rebel starter. But the 6-3, 210-pound junior looks at CSU and Moreno as a shot at redemption.

"I saw him play when we played at Colorado State (last year)," Crook said of Moreno. "He's a good quarterback, no doubt about it. We'll see who puts the most points on the board Saturday."

Extra points

* BANGED UP: UNLV reports no additional injuries for Saturday's game against Colorado State. The only players listed on the injury report are left guard Jerald Pierucci (knee), running back Rodrick Johnson (hip) and receiver Duane James (foot), all of whom have been declared out for the season. For the Rams, No. 1 kicker C.W. Hurst (ankle) is out, while starting offensive tackle Eric Bailey (hamstring), starting defensive tackle Jaime Bennett (neck) and top receiver Geoff Turner (knee) are questionable.

* INELIGIBLE RECEIVER: Rebel quarterback Jon Denton has taken just a few snaps in practice during his ongoing two-game suspension. That, however, is no excuse for the Green Valley High grad to blow off practice. Denton has been working out as a wide receiver since head coach Jeff Horton disciplined him last week. Denton has shown impressive hands when the ball is thrown his way, but don't count on him lining up anywhere other than under center once he returns.

* DREADED SPREAD: Colorado State's point spread has soared over the past few days. The Rams opened as 13-point favorites over the Rebels, but now are considered 20-point favorites. Betting on Nevada universities is illegal in-state, but wagering is permitted internationally. ... The Scripps-Howard power ratings make the Rebels 13 1/2-point underdogs.