Friday, Nov. 29, 2002 | 10:45 a.m.
NEXT UP
What: UNLV at Colorado St.
When: Saturday, noon
Where: Hughes Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colo.
TV: KLAS, Ch. 8
Radio: KBAD 920-AM
Line: CSU by 17 1/2
What's that old saying that time heals all wounds?
The UNLV Rebels (4-7, 2-4) have had two long weeks to sit around for a season-ending game Saturday at Colorado State. It's a contest that means absolutely nothing when it comes to the team's original goal of going to a bowl game, but players and coaches believe the extra time was a plus, not a minus, in getting over a devastating 49-32 loss to Air Force.
"I think last week it was a little slow in the beginning," senior tailback Joe Haro said. "But the farther we've gone on, we all kind of decided, hey, let's have some fun. Let's not go out like a bunch of bums."
"We feel good about it," UNLV coach John Robinson said. "I think the team is bouncy and looking forward to it. Having that extra week helps you to get over the bumps and bruises. We're ready to go."'
So even though the Rebels don't have anything to play for on paper, there's always that pride kind of thing. And an upset of the 16th-ranked Rams (10-2, 6-0), a team that has delivered more than their share of heartache to UNLV in the last few years, would go a long way in soothing the disappointment of a second straight losing season.
"Everybody is in good spirits," quarterback Jason Thomas said. "Everybody is working hard. Nobody is giving in. Guys are playing for each other and guys are playing for pride. It's encouraging."
Sonny Lubick's Rams, who clinched the Mountain West Conference championship and a Liberty Bowl berth with a hard-fought 22-14 victory over New Mexico last week, have won six straight games against the Rebels, the last two by a combined total of three points. UNLV has not won a game in Fort Collins since 1982, 36-31.
"We know we've played them tough the last two years and had two opportunities to beat them but we just haven't gotten over that edge," Haro said. "Maybe this is that year."
The Rebels' best chance at a victory came two years ago in Fort Collins. UNLV scored on a late touchdown pass from backup quarterback Jason Vaughan to Nate Turner, but Ray Cheetany's PAT attempt which would have forced overtime was blocked. The Rams held on for a 20-19 win.
Thomas watched the second half of that game on crutches with what later would be diagnosed as a broken foot.
"Hopefully, I can leave with better memories this time," Thomas said.
Ironically, at the end of the team's practice on Wednesday night, it appeared Thomas may have injured his left foot again. He fell to the practice turf clutching his foot and laid there for several minutes before getting up and limping around.
"We were running a play we've done maybe 2,000 times in practice this year," Thomas said with a smile. "And this guy (pointing to Haro) can't get it right."
Haro accidently stepped on Thomas' foot while picking up a blitzer.
"There's no padding there," Thomas said. "It kind of hurt. But it was more like a stinger than anything else."
A upset win over the Rams, who are 17-point favorites, would certainly take the sting out of a disappointing senior year for Thomas and company.
"We've got nothing to lose," Haro said. "We're going to just go out there and play hard and have fun and hopefully the ball bounces our way a couple of times."
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