Steichen remains on pins, not needles, as he waits to return as Rebels QB

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005 | 9:11 a.m.

Shane Steichen still views it as his team, which has made sitting out the past four UNLV football games all the more painful for the junior quarterback.

Steichen, who had surgery last month to insert steel pins into a broken finger on his left (nonthrowing) hand, watched from the sidelines as the Rebels lost three of four games in his absence.

"It definitely has been difficult, especially when the team is losing and you can't be out there to help them," Steichen said. "It's been one of the toughest times in my life; it's just a hard situation to deal with.

"I've never been injured in my life playing football. It's a tough situation for me, but I'm getting through it. And I'm excited to hopefully get back on the field as soon as possible."

Steichen, who was to have the pins removed from his finger today, said he was unsure whether he would be able to return to the starting lineup in time for the Rebels' next game, Nov. 5 against BYU.

"There's always a chance -- and that's what I'm hoping for -- but I've got to wait and see," Steichen said. "I'm moving (the injured finger) pretty well with the pins in it, so I'm going to be pretty anxious to see what it's going to be like when I get them out."

UNLV head coach Mike Sanford said there is a "good chance" Steichen might return to practice next week, but he added that he would have to wait for a report from Steichen's doctor before a decision would be made.

Steichen, who was 1-3 in his four starts, broke his finger Sept. 24 in a 31-24 loss at Utah State. In the four games, he completed 74 of 132 pass attempts for 800 yards and threw seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

TV TIME

UNLV's homecoming game against BYU on Nov. 5 has been selected by ESPN Plus as the Mountain West Conference game of the week and will be televised on the 22-station network starting at noon PST from Sam Boyd Stadium. The game will be televised locally on KFBT Channel 33 (Cox cable channel 6).

It will mark the fifth time in eight games this season the Rebels have appeared on one of the ABC/ESPN networks.

ALSO NOTED:

* New Mexico is expecting its fourth consecutive sellout in excess of 40,000 at University Stadium in Albuquerque when the Lobos take on Colorado State on Friday in a nationally televised game, with second place in the Mountain West Conference on the line. The game will be televised at 5 p.m. PDT on ESPN2.

* Utah cornerback Eugene Oates was recognized as the Mountain West Conference defensive player of the week for his effort in the Utes' 42-32 victory Saturday over UNLV. Oates had a career-high 10 tackles, all unassisted, against the Rebels. Quarterback Justin Holland (Colorado State) was named the offensive player of the week, and CSU's Joey Rucks was honored for his special teams play.

Brian Hilderbrand can be reached at 259-4089 or at bh@lasvegassun.com.