Crook may have job back with impressive relief performance

Steve Guiremand

Monday, Sept. 28, 1998 | 12:36 p.m.

Football hasn't been a very enjoyable experience for UNLV quarterback Kevin Crook this season.

An 0-4 start to his senior year and the loss of his starting job to a redshirt freshman, Chris Hayward, probably had a lot to do with it. So the 6-3, 205-pound senior from Westlake, Calif., decided to adopt a new attitude.

"I talked to my dad and he told me that if I got (into Saturday's game at Colorado State) to just go out and have some fun," Crook said. "He told me, 'You're not going to be able to put a 'W' up by yourself.'"

That new outlook seemed to bring some good results for Crook, who came off the bench to complete 13 of 27 passes for 149 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in UNLV's 38-16 loss to the Rams.

Crook was summoned when starter Chris Hayward (4 of 8, 17 yards) threw two costly interceptions at the start of the game, including one that Colorado State linebacker Rick Crowell returned 22 yards for the first touchdown of the contest.

Although UNLV head coach Jeff Horton refuses to name his starting quarterback for this week's annual showdown with Nevada-Reno, even Hayward assumes it will be Crook.

"I would think so," Hayward said.

"From what I heard, I think he's going to start. We've got to go with whoever has the hot hand. If he's got it right now, then he's got to be the (starter). I haven't heard any official decision, but I support him. Whatever is best for the team."

Crook had thrown five interceptions and just one touchdown pass prior to the Colorado State contest. That earned him a demotion before UNLV's 52-7 loss at Wisconsin.

"I wasn't anticipating (playing Saturday)," he said. "I just prepared hard all week. I'm always ready to go. (Saturday) I got my chance and somewhat made the most of it, I guess."

Although they continue to battle for the starting job, Crook and Hayward remain friends.

After Hayward was yanked Saturday, Crook gave him a pep talk.

"I told Chris, 'Hey man, I've been through this.' And I have. I told him to keep his head up. I really believe that if he really had a problem that he'd come and talk to me.

"When he started the last two games, I got behind him so much," Crook continued. "I wanted him to do so well. He's really a good guy. I really think that there is nobody better to have behind him than me. I'm going to be there for him and push him and make sure that he plays football like he knows how."

"Kevin's been great," Hayward said. "He's been real supportive the last two weeks when he wasn't the starter. There's no animosity between us. It'll be the same when he starts next week."