This Casey doesn’t strike out often

Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003 | 9:57 a.m.

Whether or not UNLV can win its season finale and salvage a 6-6 season may depend on weather or not.

Last week, sub-zero temperatures and blowing snow were able to do what no Mountain West Conference team has this year -- put the freeze on Cody Bramlet, Wyoming's prolific senior quarterback.

In conditions last seen at Ice Station Zebra, Bramlet was limited to seven completions in 18 attempts for just 67 yards in the Cowboys' 26-3 loss to red-hot New Mexico in Laramie.

This Saturday, the long-range forecast is calling for 43-degree temperatures, which is downright balmy for Wyoming at this time of year, and partly cloudy skies.

So there's good news and bad news for the Rebels. While they probably can leave their parkas at home, the weather should be conducive to Bramlet firing snowballs into their secondary all afternoon.

As much as Bramlet, a strapping 6-foot-4, 231-pound native of Casper, Wyo., has meant to the Cowboys' resurgence, don't be surprised if first-year coach Joe Glenn turns him loose in a meaningless play-for-pride affair with the Rebels.

"Casey has shown superior leadership and brilliance all year," said Glenn, who left a powerhouse Division I-AA program at Montana to bring Wyoming (4-7, 2-4) instant respect and credibility. "In his first two seasons (as a starter) he threw 39 picks. This year, he has thrown (9), with 19 touchdown passes.

"He recently became the 39th all-time leader in the NCAA in total offense. That may not sound like a big deal, until you hear the name of the quarterback he just passed -- John Elway.

"That gives you an idea of the kind of player (our fans) have been watching the past three years."

There's a chance they also may be watching him play on Sunday in the future. Bramlet, who has blossomed under Glenn's tutelage, is projected as a darkhorse pick in spring's NFL draft.

"If he gets in the right situation, he should be able to make an impact at the next level," Glenn said.

"He had to work behind a young line this year, and he has had to work with an offense that hasn't been able to run the ball very well. So he has had to work under a lot of duress and he has succeeded."

Bramlet has completed 214 of 381 passes for 2,716 yards and with an average game Saturday, he will top 3,000 passing yards for the third consecutive season. He became Wyoming's career passing leader earlier this year, and will be looking to add to his whopping 9,276-yard total against UNLV.

Last year he had a monster game against the Rebels, completing 33 of 55 passes for 453 yards and five touchdowns in a 49-48 overtime loss at Sam Boyd Stadium. It was just one of 14 games in which he has passed for more than 300 yards.

When he's gone, Bramlet will leave some big shoes to fill. But at least the guy who is expected to replace him knows where the closet is. Bramlet's kid brother Corey is the Wyoming backup quarterback, and last week saw his his first extended action, completing 5 of 7 passes for 32 yards against New Mexico.