The Elevator: A look at the local sports scene

By Mark Whittington

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Who’s headed toward the penthouse on the local sports scene — and who’s getting the shaft.

GOING UP

UNLV golf

Rebel golfers are hot, hot, hot again this fall. Ranked No. 11 by Golfweek and No. 21 in the coaches’ poll, they won the William H. Tucker Invitational in Albuquerque by 11 shots. Junior Eddie Olson led the charge, shooting 5 under and tying for individual honors. Now it’s up to coach Dwaine Knight to keep the team from fading after a strong start.

Jason Beauchamp

The UNLV linebacker was one of the few bright spots for the Rebels in a 49-27 loss to UNR. Beauchamp seemed to be all over the field with 21 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. He was the obvious pick as the Mountain West’s defensive player of the week. He’s only a junior, so he has one more chance to capture the Fremont Cannon.

Hoops hype

Back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tourney! Wink Adams! 27-8! Joe Darger! Real big men! Kenny Mayne! Kenny Mayne? The ESPN personality, “Dancing With the Stars” reject and former UNLV second-string quarterback returns to campus to emcee the first official day of practice for Lon Kruger’s Overachievers. Fans can check out the team — and the new scoreboard at the Thomas & Mack — at FirstLook on Oct. 17.

GOING DOWN

Halftime speeches

Maybe someone should lend coach Mike Sanford a copy of “Knute Rockne: All American.” After outscoring opponents 62-34 in the first half, UNLV is getting thumped 73-34 in the third and fourth quarters. But Sanford’s troops have rallied for two overtime victories, so the coach must know the secret words to break a tie. (“Block that kick.” “Fade pass to Payne.”)

MWC reputation

Don’t blame all of this on UNLV. After the pundits were saying the Mountain West should get an automatic BCS bid, the conference stumbled. TCU was humbled by Oklahoma and the Horned Frogs fell out of the national rankings. Plus a Pac-10 team finally beat a Mountain West team as Cal sped by Colorado State, and the MAC’s Bowling Green crushed Wyoming. No bonus points for wins over New Mexico State, Idaho or Weber State. BYU had a bye but still moved up in the polls.

Geography lessons

Take note, 51s fans. Your new parent club plays in Toronto, Canada’s largest city. The latest game of minor league musical stadiums moved the Blue Jays’ Triple-A team from Syracuse to Las Vegas and replaced it in upstate New York with the Washington Nationals affiliate. Syracuse Chiefs General Manager John Simone pretended to be excited: “We went from the capital of Canada to the capital of the United States.” Thanks for playing John. Here’s a lovely parting gift from the citizens of Ottawa.