Rebels rested and reinvigorated for home finale

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004 | 10:12 a.m.

Ryan Claridge spent his weekend playing golf and video games.

Adam Seward used his free time doing --- what else? --- watching football.

But both UNLV starting linebackers said they feel rejuvenated for Saturday afternoon's home finale against Wyoming (5-3, 2-2) after having a bye following eight consecutive weeks without a break.

"I feel incredibly better," Seward, who ranks second in the Mountain West Conference in tackles with an average of 9.8 per game, said. "It's hard when you go that many games without a bye week. Last year we had two of them. This year we have just one and it's late in the season."

The Rebels held just three midweek practices last week before taking Friday and Saturday off. They held a short one-hour practice in shorts and shoulder pads on Sunday and then got another day off on Monday.

"Coach (John) Robinson gave us a lot of time this week to let our bodies heal, which is important," Seward said. "My breaks (at Sunday night's workout) feel a lot quicker now. I didn't feel any pain in my foot at all. It's great. It's amazing what a week (off) can do to bring your body back. I feel like the season just started. I feel great right now."

Claridge said: "Everybody got their legs back. The main thing you get from a bye is to get your legs back and also the mental part of it as well. I know I am better mentally prepared for the last three games of the season, and hopefully the other guys on the team are too."

After hosting Wyoming on Saturday, the Rebels (2-6, 1-3) finish up their season on the road with games at Colorado State (Nov. 13) and San Diego State (Nov. 20).

In fact, Saturday will mark the five-year anniversary of the Cowboys' last conference road victory, a 43-29 win at Utah.

"We've lost (17) now on the road against conference teams, so something's got to change," middle linebacker Randy Tscharner told the Casper Star-Tribune. "I don't know if it's in practice or what it's going to take, but it will change. Coach (Joe Glenn) is going to change it, for sure."

Glenn said his team will practice at a fever pitch this week.

"I just congratulated our team on a brilliant effort (in a 43-26 victory against Air Force Saturday)," Glenn said. "But I said, 'What's the next step in our maturation?' And in unison, every guy on the team said, 'Win on the road.' "

UNLV would appear to be Wyoming's best bet for a victory down the stretch. The Cowboys host undefeated Utah next week and wind up their season at New Mexico.

The Rebels and Wyoming will kick off at 4 p.m. at Sam Boyd Stadium. The game will be broadcast live locally on KLAS-TV (Channel 8).

Steichen started the Rebels' last game, a 63-28 loss at Utah on Oct. 23, but Nantkes started six of the previous seven contests.

"We are probably going to play both quarterbacks," Robinson said.

Dorsey, who is averaging 118.2 yards per game, still holds a healthy lead over defending Mountain West rushing champion DonTrell Moore of New Mexico, who is averaging 103.9 yards per game.

Dorsey also remains ranked 11th nationally in rushing while Moore is 22nd.

"He's made as many spectacular plays as any player I've ever coached," Robinson said of Dorsey.