Thomas hopes he’s able to take the right step against Utes

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Nov. 3, 2000 | 10:17 a.m.

It's nervous time for the UNLV football team.

Not only must the Rebels (4-4, 2-2) win three of their four remaining games to become bowl eligible, they may have to do at least part of it without the services of star quarterback Jason Thomas.

UNLV flew to Salt Lake City this afternoon for perhaps the toughest of its final four games, a Saturday contest against 1999 Las Vegas Bowl champion Utah (2-6, 1-3), wondering if Thomas or Jason Vaughan will be the starting quarterback.

Thomas, who badly sprained his right foot three weeks ago in a 20-19 loss at Colorado State, didn't practice again on Thursday and Rebels coach John Robinson went so far as to mention the possibility that his franchise player could sit out Saturday's game.

"He can't put his foot down without feeling some pain," Robinson said. "If he's not ready to go on Saturday, then we won't play him. It's not fair to him."

Thomas, who completed just 7-of-25 passes for 93 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in UNLV's 43-40 overtime loss at Mississippi last week, hasn't practiced all week in an attempt to allow his sore foot to heal.

"I think it's getting a little better," Robinson said. "If the pain goes away, then he'll play Saturday. But right now it's like having a toothache: every time he steps down it hurts him. But with rest, it will get better."

Robinson said Thomas' foot was X-rayed again this week and once again no broken bones were discovered.

"I'm still optimistic that he'll play, but we have to be cautious," Robinson said. "It won't be his decision to decide if he plays or not, it will be mine. I think I know him well enough to decide whether he should be out there."

The Rebels were hoping Thomas' foot would have improved by now. Arguably the team's two toughest remaining games are on Saturday against a veteran Utah team that toyed with the Rebels, 52-14, last year at Sam Boyd Stadium, and next weekend's home contest against a much-improved and physical New Mexico (5-4, 3-1) squad that also has bowl aspirations.

UNLV has a bye after that which would enable Thomas, who ranks 11th nationally in pass efficiency, to rest his foot for almost two weeks before season-ending road trips to San Diego State (Nov. 25) and Hawaii (Dec. 2).

Utah, despite its disappointing 2-6 record, still possesses the top defense in the Mountain West Conference, yielding just 287.1 yards per game. The Utes rank fourth nationally in pass defense, allowing only 151.6 yards per game through the air.

"They have a big, physical defensive line and they have very good cover guys," Robinson said.

The Utes have had problems at quarterback. T.D. Croshaw, who started the Las Vegas Bowl, is now third string while senior Darnell Arceneaux, who is 13-6 in career starts, is expected to give way to redshirt freshman Lance Rice on Saturday. It would be Rice's first start since in high school in 1995.