Freshman Claridge to replace injured Sunia

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2000 | 10:52 a.m.

Ryan Claridge wanted more playing time at linebacker for the Rebels. But not this way.

The 6-3, 235-pound true freshman from Fort Gratiot, Mich., will take over at middle linebacker for the injured James Sunia when UNLV (3-2, 1-1) travels to Colorado State (4-1, 1-0) in a key Mountain West Conference game on Saturday night. Claridge is the younger brother of former USC All-America offensive lineman Travis Claridge.

Sunia tore his right ACL in the first quarter of UNLV's 38-7 victory over Nevada-Reno Saturday and is likely done for the season. Claridge played the final three quarters and had seven tackles. Despite limited playing time, he still ranks tied for seventh on the team in tackles with 17, including two quarterback sacks.

"He's a great athlete," UNLV coach John Robinson said. "He's quite fast, a 4.7 or 4.65 (40-yard dash) guy. He really has a great future. He played very well Saturday."

Claridge justs wishes it was under different circumstances.

"It's unfortunate what happened to James," Claridge said. "I just have to step up for us. For sure I'm going to be flagged (targeted by Colorado State). I'm a freshman middle linebacker. But I've just got to step up and make the plays when I can."

Claridge admitted to being tired at the end of Saturday night's game. So he spent extra time at Sunday night's practice working on running and conditioning.

"When you only play about four reps, you kind of slide on the fitness," Claridge said. "I did another workout today because I know I'll be playing a lot more now. I need to get back in really good shape again. But I'll be ready to go on Saturday."

Robinson said senior outside linebacker Tyler Brickell also could move inside for some snaps against the Rams.

"We'll try and get a veteran in there -- maybe Tyler Brickell -- just in case Ryan falls apart at some point," Robinson said. "But Ryan is always asking me for more action. Now he's going to get it."

Sophomore Bill Cofer (5-11, 235) is listed as Claridge's backup.

"I'm going to go out and play as fast and as hard as I can," Claridge said. "I'm going to make more mistakes than Suie would. But I'll just have to make up for it with extra effort."

Sunia was originally supposed to have the MRI done on Monday to see how badly his ACL was torn and if there was any further damage to the knee.

"We're still waiting to get an appointment time for the MRI," Wilson said Monday afternoon. "It's hard to find a place to get an MRI done on the weekend. After James has the test done, it usually takes about 24 to 48 hours before you get the results back. So we probably won't know anything more about the injury until Thursday."

Wilson said it was highly unlikely Sunia would be able to play again this season even with a knee brace.

"As much swelling as James had, that's very doubtful," Wilson said. "I don't think there's really any chance James will play again this season."

Instead, Sunia will likely have season-ending reconstructive knee surgery with a rehab period of six to 12 months.

"He probably will have to miss all of spring practice," Wilson said.

A wheel of the cannon broke off and several spokes were taken after several UNLV fans tried to hoist the trophy over their heads and carry it around only to drop it because it was too heavy.

"Unfortunately, I don't know if they understand the tradition," Ault said in a not-so-subtle jab at Rebel fans. "It's the sacred piece. It's the trophy. You don't break the trophy. You show it off."

Ault also blamed UNLV's lack of security for allowing fans to damaged his beloved cannon.

"You have your police escort that's supposed to be around it," he said. "Students don't have any business picking it up. ... I'll tell you what, to the victors go the spoils. Unfortunately, that's part of the game."

Nevada-Reno president Joe Cowley, who watched the celebration, seemed to have a more level-headed approach to the cannon accident.

"I would want to regard it as an excess of celebratory behavior I could understand with all the givens," Crowley said. "One would hope it could be all put back together and still be the symbol in this rivalry. I'm sure one way or another it will be.

"You could see the exuberance of those folks. I was watching it, waiting for my ride. You had to be impressed (with the celebration). That had to be the story of the cannon, given the strong emotion."

Cheetany, who averaged 45.7 yards on six punts, including three inside the 20, kicked a 30-yard field goal and was a perfect 5-for-5 on PATs, was named the MWC's special teams player of the week for the first time in his career.

UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas and cornerback Kevin Thomas picked up offensive and defensive player of the week honors, respectively, a week earlier for their play in the Rebels' 34-13 upset of Air Force.