Thomas, Turner come through in final seconds for UNLV

Steve Guiremand

Saturday, Nov. 11, 2000 | 7:08 a.m.

Jason Thomas' sore right foot was bothering him again Saturday afternoon at chilly and windy Sam Boyd Stadium.

"There were tears in his eyes," wide receiver Nate Turner said. "But he stepped it up."

Boy, did he.

With his team's bowl hopes all but slipping away, the 6-4, 230-pound sophomore drove the Rebels (5-5, 3-3) 69 yards in the final three minutes, connecting with senior wide receiver Nate Turner for a two-yard, game-winning touchdown pass with just 18 seconds remaining as UNLV rallied for a hard-fought 18-14 victory over New Mexico (5-6, 3-3).

"This was a great win for us," UNLV coach John Robinson said. "A tough win. ... This team (UNLV) has the ability to never give up."

Especially Thomas, who reinjured his right foot early in the fourth quarter when he was tackled just short of the goal line while trying to score a two-point conversion following an 84-yard punt return by Troy Mason that put UNLV ahead, 11-6.

Thomas could be seen angrily limping along the sidelines after the play.

"I was just praying to God, 'Don't take me out,'" Thomas said.

Did Thomas think he might have to leave the game?

"Yeah, there was a thought that the pain might be too much and I'd have to come out," he said. "But I knew this was going to be the game that would take us out of bowl contention if we lost. And I wasn't going to be the player to step off the field in the middle of this war."

On a day Thomas threw three first half interceptions, he definitely saved his best for last.

New Mexico, which finished with just 204 yards and nine first downs, came back to take the lead in dramatic fashion.

UNLV punter Ray Cheetany, who had a 58-yard punt wiped out by a holding penalty, had his next punt attempt blocked by Larry Davis who came in untouched from from the left side. Gary Davis recovered for the Lobos at the UNLV eight-yard line.

Then on the next play, fullback Jarrod Baxter barreled in from eight-yards out off left tackle and New Mexico led, 14-11 with 3:05 left in game.

Thomas, armed with three timeouts, limped out to try and lead his team to at least within tying field goal range that would force overtime.

He connected with Turner for nine yards on first down, then was sacked for a seven-yard loss on second down. That meant UNLV faced third-and-eight on its own 33.

Thomas then hit redshirt freshman wide receiver Michael Johnson with a nine-yard pass to the Rebel 42 with just 1:13 left.

After a six-yard Thomas scramble to the 48, Thomas connected with Troy Mason for 21 yards to the New Mexico 31 with only 48 seconds to go.

Following a three-yard run by Kevin Brown, Thomas found Nate Turner over the middle for 20 yards to give UNLV a first-and-goal at the Lobo eight with 39 seconds remaining.

Thomas then scrambled for six yards to the New Mexico two.

One play later, Thomas hit Turner on a quick fade to the left corner of the end zone. Turner went up and grabbed the ball easily over Lobo corner Stephen Persley for the game-winning touchdown.

"I told (Thomas) to just throw it high and I'll go get it," Turner said.

Thomas did and Turner did and UNLV's bowl hopes survived for at least two more weeks.

The Rebels, who have a much-needed bye this week, must win their final two games at San Diego State (Nov. 25) and Hawaii (Dec. 2) to garner a likely Las Vegas Bowl berth.

"We get to take the day off (Sunday)," an exhausted Robinson said. "Man, I'm not getting off the couch. I'm not even going out to get the Sunday newspaper. I'm just going to take the day off."