Rebels ready to open ‘new’ season

Steve Guiremand

Monday, Sept. 10, 2001 | 10:42 a.m.

If you think UNLV's football team is moping about its 0-2 start or Friday night's tough 37-28 loss to Northwestern, guess again.

"As soon as we got back to the locker room, the attitude was, 'Beat Colorado State,' " UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas said. "This is conference play now. And that's the most important part of our schedule."

Especially the next couple of home games.

The Rebels return to ESPN on Friday night to host two-time defending Mountain West champion Colorado State (1-1). Two weeks later, high-flying BYU (3-0) invades Sam Boyd Stadium for an ABC date.

Even if UNLV, which travels to Arizona for a non-league game on Sept. 22, finishes September with just a 2-3 record, the Rebels would be in great shape in the Mountain West Conference race if they can knock off Sonny Lubick's Rams and Gary Crowton's Cougars at home.

That's a mighty big "if," however.

The point is, despite blowing a game they should have won at Arkansas and losing a hard-fought contest against Big Ten favorite Northwestern, the Rebels still have their main goals in front of them.

"We're down 0-2," middle linebacker Ryan Claridge said. "Big deal. The season isn't only two games long. Our original goal was to win the conference championship. And if we win this game against Colorado State, it will be a step in that direction.

"In the overall view of how our season goes, whether it's winning the conference or going to a bowl game, it all really starts on Friday night."

Added Thomas: "If we win this week, we're rolling. We've got to get a victory."

UNLV head coach John Robinson was asked how big a win over the defending champion Rams would be for his program.

"How big would it be?" Robinson smiled. "It would make us 1-0.

"Nah, I don't think so," Robinson said. "Michael Johnson certainly is going to play a lot and Dominique is going to get into the game, too."

Robinson said he'd also stick with walk-on freshman Gary Cook as his punter despite the fact Cook averaged just 33.0 yards on five punts against the Wildcats. The Rebels currently rank a dismal No. 101 out of 117 Division I teams in net punting with a 30.9 average.

Brandon said he suffered the injury in the first quarter from the helmet of Wildcat wide receiver Sam Simmons.

"It was a cheap shot," Brandon said. "They were one of the dirtiest teams that we've played. But we knew that going in because we saw it on film."

The 6-1, 220-pound Sapp was MVP of the Liberty Bowl after rushing for 160 yards. A benign tumor was discovered in the bone of Sapp's left heel about two weeks ago. Team physician Rod Tumper said the case was extremely rare.

"It's a tough blow for him," Lubick said. "I feel worse for Cecil than anyone. Ever since the Liberty Bowl he had the mind set to come back for another season (860 yards) like he had last year."

Sapp will redshirt this year and return for his senior season.