Black returns to LV with fond memories

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002 | 9:21 a.m.

Steve Guiremand

New Mexico cornerback Desmar Black has some very fond memories of his last visit to Sam Boyd Stadium.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound senior cornerback helped make what might have been the biggest play of the season for the Lobos, taking a lateral from linebacker Charles Moss after a Jason Thomas interception and then racing 25-yards for a touchdown in helping propel New Mexico to a 25-16 upset of the Rebels back on Oct. 12.

That victory, the first ever in Las Vegas for the Lobos, helped spark a turnaround to what had been a disappointing season to that point. New Mexico (7-6) won five of its final seven games to earn a Las Vegas Bowl bid against UCLA (7-5) on Wednesday afternoon at Sam Boyd Stadium.

"Yeah, I have some good memories here," Black said. "I scored out there and I want to score again. That game kind of got us on track and got us moving toward this bowl game. It was a big-time win for us."

The Lobos are using the practice fields outside of Sam Boyd Stadium this week to prepare for their meeting with the Bruins. They are using UNLV's home locker room to dress and shower. Black admits to peeking out at the site of his big interception return.

"When I first got here I looked down in that end zone," he said. "I can picture that exact play. That will always be ingrained in my brain."