Mason will get call on key downs

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2001 | 10:30 a.m.

Last year it was "Third-and-Nate."

This year the UNLV Rebels are hoping for a little "Joy from Troy" in key passing situations.

En route to last year's 8-5 record and Las Vegas Bowl triumph over Arkansas, quarterback Jason Thomas leaned heavily on Nate Turner to make the big catch.

Turner -- now with the San Diego Chargers -- responded with a number of key grabs while leading the Mountain West Conference with 66 receptions and 10 touchdowns.

And it looks like junior speedster Troy Mason, who caught 27 passes for 492 yards himself last year, will be counted on to make the big catch in crunch time for the Rebels in 2001.

That suits the 5-10, 170-pounder from Bastrop, La., just fine.

"I have to step up," Mason said. "We have to have somebody step up and get the first downs, the 'Third and Nates.' I'm kind of happy to take that role. I've been looking forward to it. I'm not glad that Nate is gone, but I'm glad to have his role."

"I think we'll probably spread it around a little more, but Troy is the most experienced and has made big plays for us last year," UNLV head coach John Robinson said. "I think he can do that this year. I don't know if the inside throw over the middle will be his. He's not very physical. But he is a very experienced player now who should be able to understand coverages and find the seams."

Although only a junior, Mason is the grand old man experience-wise for a young core of receivers that includes senior Bobby Nero, who caught just eight passes in his first season after transferring from Oregon; sophomore Michael Johnson; true freshman Earvin Johnson; converted defensive back Toby Smeltzer; and junior college transfers Derrick Barnes and Deon Barnes, both of whom may be a year away from making significant contributions.

"We don't have that much experience there," Robinson admitted. "The five guys we expect to play a lot there are Mason, Nero, Smeltzer and Johnson and Johnson."

Mason has been slow out of the gate in fall practice after spraining his left ankle and didn't play in Saturday night's scrimmage at Sam Boyd Stadium. But he returned to practice on Sunday night and believes he'll be 100 percent by next Thursday night's opener at Arkansas.

"I didn't want to rush it," Mason said. "I've been working for Arkansas. I don't think the layoff will hurt much as far as my chemistry with Jason (Thomas). It's just get into the spots and throw it. That's all. We'll be back in rhythm by Arkansas. That's for sure."

Mason also is being counted on for big things in the return game. He is a preseason All-American punt returner who was a first team all-MWC choice at that spot last year after averaging 16.4 yards on 23 punt returns and scoring one touchdown. He also returned 15 kickoffs for a 17.5 average and finished seventh in the conference in all-purpose yardage with an average of 94.3 yards per game.

"I like doing that the most," Mason said. "I'd rather do that than play receiver. It's fun. I'm definitely going to keep doing that."

Mason said his goal is to catch at least 50 passes this season for 1,000 yards. "If I can do that, then we'll be fine," he said.