Rebels save best for last at CSU

the numbers

Monday, Dec. 2, 2002 | 9:53 a.m.

First Quarter: Colorado State 9-0

The Man: CSU quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt completed 10 of 12 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown.

Turning point: Trailing 3-0, UNLV was marching for a potential go-ahead score when backup quarterback Kurt Nantkes underthrew wide open fullback Steven Costa in the flat at the Ram 15 and CSU linebacker Adam Wade intercepted.

Game within the game: UNLV starting quarterback Jason Thomas is scratched from the starting lineup because his left foot, accidentally stepped on at the end of practice on Wednesday night by tailback Joe Haro, causes him too much pain to finish warm-up drills.

Second Quarter: Colorado State 19-14

The Man: UNLV tailback Larry Croom carries six times for 76 yards, including a 59-yard run that sets up the Rebels' first touchdown. Croom also scores on a 3-yard run.

Turning point: On 4th-and-6 at the Ram 28, Nantkes connects with Earvin Johnson for 11 yards to keep the drive alive. Four plays later, Croom scores to cut the Colorado State lead to 19-14.

Game within the game: Dominique Dorsey scores UNLV's first touchdown on a 16-yard sweep around right end, but pulls his hamstring on the play and doesn't return to the game.

Third Quarter: UNLV 21-19

The Man: Earvin Johnson, who will go on to finish with 12 catches for 132 yards, catches a 10-yard TD pass from Nantkes despite having CSU corner Rhett Nelson draped all over him.

Turning point: UNLV took the second half kickoff and marched 80 yards in eight plays capped by Johnson's touchdown grab.

Game within the game: Rams blow a chance to regain the lead when normally reliable placekicker Jeff Babcock shanks a 42-yard field goal try.

Fourth Quarter: UNLV 36-33

The Man: On 3rd-and-4 at the CSU 29 and just 46 seconds left in the game, Nantkes throws a 29-yard touchdown pass to tight end DeJhown Mandley for the game-winning touchdown.

Turning point: Early in the fourth quarter, Nelson dropped an easy interception at the goal line that he probably would have been able to return 100 yards for a touchdown.

Game within the game: UNLV, which was a 17-point underdog, wins for the first time in Fort Collins since 1982 and beats a ranked team for only the second time in school history.