THE ELEVATOR

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006 | 7:13 a.m.

GOING UP

Jeremy Geathers

UNLV's sophomore defensive end, the son of former NFL star Jumpy Geathers, turned in a standout performance in the Rebels' 34-26 loss to Wyoming on Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium. With his father in attendance, Geathers recorded 2 1/2 sacks, forced two fumbles and was in on nine tackles. Head coach Mike Sanford said it was the first time Jumpy Geathers had seen his son play in person since he has been in college.

Las Vegas Bowl

The 15th edition of the local college bowl game is virtually assured of being the most successful in its long run. After announcing a sellout last Wednesday, LV Bowl officials put an additional 4,100 tickets on sale Friday morning, and those seats - in temporary bleachers to be erected in the end zones at Sam Boyd Stadium - sold out in less than five hours. BYU will play a representative from the Pac-10 Conference in the Dec. 21 game.

Jimmie Johnson

The fifth-year driver for Hendrick Motorsports shed his bridesmaid role Sunday by winning his first NASCAR Nextel Cup Series championship. Johnson, whose victory in the Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March was one of five this year, had finished second twice in points during the past three seasons.

GOING DOWN

UNLV football

The Rebels, whose lone victory this season came against a Division I-AA opponent (Idaho State), possess the nation's third-longest losing streak against Division I-A competition at 15 games. Only Duke (22) and New Mexico State (21) own longer streaks.

MWC TV deal

Thanks to the Mountain West Conference's alignment with College Sports TV and The mtn. network, only two of UNLV's nine televised football games this season were available to viewers in Las Vegas. Then again, considering its 1-10 record going into Friday's season finale, maybe that's not such a bad thing.

Kurt Busch's popularity

The NASCAR Nextel Cup star and Las Vegas native, who is trying to rehab his bad-boy image, stayed late at Homestead-Miami Speedway this past weekend to sit for a live interview show on the SPEED channel. The fans in attendance showed their appreciation by booing Busch almost constantly throughout his appearance.

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