ACL tear could sideline Sunia for rest of season

Steve Guiremand

Monday, Oct. 9, 2000 | 10:58 a.m.

UNLV finally got possession of the Fremont Cannon for at least a year thanks to Saturday night's 38-7 victory over Nevada-Reno at Sam Boyd Stadium. But it came at a big cost.

Junior middle linebacker James Sunia, a three-year starter and the quarterback of the Rebel defense, will likely miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee in the first quarter.

Sunia was to have an MRI performed on the injured knee today. Head trainer Kyle Wilson said it isn't out of the realm of possibility that the 5-10, 245-pound Sunia, from St. Louis High School in Honolulu, could try to play with a knee brace.

However, UNLV coach John Robinson said before practice on Sunday night that Sunia "is probably done for the year."

Rebel quarterback Jason Thomas wore Sunia's jersey into the post-game interview room after Saturday night's game.

"We have kind of mixed emotions right now," Thomas said. "Suie got hurt today. We still don't know serious it is, but he was kind of down. It's kind of like we won but we lost. We pride ourselves on being a family. ... That's why I've got his jersey on to let everybody know that I'm thinking about him."

Sunia, who made three tackles in 10 plays before the injury, said he suffered the injury while running down on coverage at the end on a punt play.

"They need to figure out how bad it's torn," Sunia said. "They may have a brace I can play in. If not, I'll have to have surgery and get ready for next year."

Wilson said the normal rehab for ACL surgery is six to 12 months.

"It's a big downer," Thomas said. "He's a big part of everything. He delivered a real emotional speech at our team meeting before the game, about his dislike for Reno and how bad he wanted to win the game. It was just hard to see him go down."

True freshman Ryan Claridge, who had seven tackles in Sunia's place against the Wolf Pack, is the likely starter at middle linebacker.

"They also took some spokes," said UNLV head equipment trainer Paul "Pooch" Pucciarelli, who has the task of guarding the cannon.

Pucciarelli was unsure how much it would cost to repair the cannon.

* HE'S NO. 2: Thomas moved up into the second spot in the nation in pass efficiency ratings after completing 8 of 12 passes for 152 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against Nevada-Reno.

Thomas, with a quarterback rating of 169.41, trails only Kansas State quarterback Jonathan Beasley (187.86).

Thomas also is 19th in the nation in total offense with an average of 261.8 yards per game. Purdue quarterback Drew Brees leads the country with an average of 370.5 yards per game.

UNLV rates 14th in the nation in rushing offense (219.4 yards per game) and is 15th in scoring defense (13.4 ppg).

"I think it's my most disappointing (loss)," a teary-eyed Tormey said. "I've never been in a game like this, against our rival, when we weren't competitive. This is the first time it's ever happened to me, so it's tough."

A number of Wolf Pack players also took the loss hard.

"We have to put it behind us," wide receiver Jermaine Brown said. "This has to fuel us for next year when we play these guys. This can fuel us to turn this season around 180 degrees."

Then Brown broke down.

"I'm sorry," he said. "(UNLV) took our cannon."