Friday, Nov. 21, 2003 | 10:16 a.m.
UNLV's hopes of finishing with a winning record and getting a Las Vegas Bowl bid now are riding on the strong and accurate right arm of true freshman quarterback Shane Steichen.
A 6-foot-3, 175-pounder from Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, Calif., Steichen saw his first college action two weeks ago in a 7-0 loss to San Diego State. He was named the starting quarterback for the Rebels (5-5, 1-4) for Saturday's key Mountain West Conference game against revenge-minded Colorado State at Sam Boyd Stadium.
UNLV coach John Robinson, who strongly hinted during the week that Steichen could be making his first college start against the Rams (6-5, 3-3), made it official before practice on Thursday night.
"No doubt I'm excited," Steichen said. "To get my first start as a true freshman is pretty exciting, you know?
"It's going to be great. I've just got to get in there and do my best and help the team win and go to a bowl."
Steichen replaces junior Kurt Nantkes who is still slowed by a groin injury suffered in the first half of UNLV's 37-35 upset of New Mexico on Nov. 1. Although Nantkes recieved more and more snaps as the practice week progressed, he said the injury is still only about 80 percent healed.
"(Robinson) told us before practice (Thursday) that Shane would start," Nantkes said. "I told him I felt good but he said we were going to start Shane. It wasn't a surprise. We talked about it last week that we were going to prepare as though Shane was going to start."
Nantkes said he feel he can go out and play on Saturday if needed.
"I hope to play as much as I can but if we can get through the game without needing me, then that's better for me," he said. "If I have to go in its probably not a good scenario. But if it happens, I'll go in trying to win the game."
Steichen played just two series against the Aztecs and completed just 1 of 5 passes for 7 yards. He also was sacked once and lost a fumble.
UNLV must win both Saturday's game against the Rams and next week's season finale at Wyoming to get a Las Vegas Bowl invitation.
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