Rebels hope to meet challenge in big-game atmosphere

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Oct. 13, 2000 | 10:07 a.m.

So this is what it's like.

A big conference game on national TV. A chance at national respect. A chance to make a real run at a bowl berth and conference title.

All of that will be on the line Saturday night when UNLV (3-2, 1-1) travels to Fort Collins, Colo., to play perennial conference power Colorado State (4-1, 1-0) on ESPN2.

Although this is old hat for Sonny Lubick's squad, it's unchartered territory for most of John Robinson's Rebels.

"It's starting to feel like real football here now," senior safety Randy Black said. "With each win we get, the games keep getting bigger."

"This is really a big game for us," seconded senior fullback James Wofford. "Finally we have a chance to be at the top of the conference if we can get a win. Usually we're trying to be spoilers by now. We haven't been involved in too many big games lately."

The biggest game of the last three seasons came two weeks ago when the Rebels shocked then-unbeaten Air Force, 34-13, on ABC Regional TV.

But that win came at home in the nice 90-degree heat of Sam Boyd Stadium. Saturday night they play at Hughes Stadium where the temperatures will likely be in the 40s by the second half.

"Our players have to step up to a level they haven't been at before," Robinson said. "The game this week is championship level play. Obviously, it's not for the conference championship, but it's right up there. Colorado State is a very good team, we're playing them in a hostile environment, and it will probably be about 40 degrees there.

"That's our challenge."

Colorado State's challenge will be trying to find a way to contain UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas.

The nation's No. 2-rated quarterback in passing efficiency, the 6-4, 230-pound sophomore transfer from USC had the normally reserved Lubick gushing with compliments earlier this week.

"I just had the biggest treat of my life watching (Thomas)," Lubick said. "I've never seen a quarterback come to Hughes Stadium as talented as this kid. He's something special. There's nobody in the land as good as this kid is right now."

Now the question is whether the rest of the Rebels are ready to make that next step with their very talented quarterback.

"It feels good to be in this position," Wofford said. "If we can win again Saturday night, we have a chance to do some really special things this season.