Columnist Ron Kantowski: Fans turn on Rebels’ quarterback

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2001 | 9:42 a.m.

Ron Kantowski's column usually appears Thursday. Reach him at ron@lasvegassun.com or 259-4088. Regular sports columnist Dean Juipe is on vacation.

Save for one quote uttered in frustration following a bitter loss to Colorado State, when he complained that one of his wide receivers had butterfingers, UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas has conducted himself with class during a season that has become more difficult than astrophysics.

Unfortunately for Rebel fans, especially those who showed no class in lustily booing Thomas throughout Saturday's humbling 42-14 loss to Utah, that's about the most you can say of his junior campaign.

Regardless of how Thomas performs in the final two games, some UNLV supporters surely will consider him the biggest underachiever since Ted Kennedy. Forget the fuzzy details about Chappaquidick. The bigger mystery is how Thomas went from a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate to a dark horse to finish his college career as a quarterback.

When it comes to Thomas, Rebel fans have formed three camps:

Based on the Utah game, in which he completed just 7 of 17 passes for 107 yards and added just 11 rushing yards on nine carries, the last camp appears to have the most room in the barracks. However, as long as John Robinson is head counselor, Thomas' job appears secure. The UNLV coach has confirmed that Thomas is his man on an almost weekly basis, which in itself says a lot about how Thomas has played. Quarterbacks who are playing well usually don't need a character witness.

But back to the camp thing, let's analyze what might be gained (or lost) within each.

By handing Thomas a clipboard, Robinson and the Rebels probably would learn whether Nantkes can play big-time college football (or at least succeed at the Mountain West level). Sure, that was a nice TD pass he threw in the waning moments of a blowout loss at Arizona. But could he do it in the first quarter against the Wildcats' starters?

Here's another thing to consider. By playing Nantkes, you lose Thomas' scrambling ability and his uncanny knack for turning a sack into a 4-yard gain.

As for converting Thomas into a Kordell Stewart-type "Slash," there are questions whether he could succeed at another position. He's big and fast and strong but maybe not quite big, or fast or strong enough to excel against guys who have played their natural positions since Pop Warner.

So what happens if Thomas continues as the UNLV QB?

Well, if he has any confidence remaining, he keeps it. And there's always the chance that he'll regain his form of a year ago, which prompted NFL draft guru Mel Kiper and others to rate him higher than a record with a good beat on the old American Bandstand.

His rhythm may be off, but mark me down for leaving Thomas where he is, at least for the short term. If Nantkes is better equipped for the job, he can earn it during spring drills.