UNLV senior in home stretch

Editor's note: This is the final installment of a weekly feature in which the Las Vegas Review-Journal asks 20 questions of a UNLV football player. Today's Q&A is with defensive end/linebacker Jason Beauchamp, a senior graduate school student from Steele Canyon High School near San Diego.

Beauchamp and the Rebels (4-7, 2-5 Mountain West Conference) play his hometown team, San Diego State (4-7, 2-5), at 6 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium. In coach Mike Sanford's final game, the Rebels will attempt to avenge last season's 42-21 loss to the Aztecs that eliminated UNLV from bowl eligibility.

1. What will it be like to end your college career against San Diego State?

It's huge for me. It will be enjoyable for me. I've done the work. I don't want to use this word, but it will be revenge.

2. What do you most remember about losing a year ago?

I remember the locker room after the game and how the seniors were affected by the loss.

3. Do old friends bring up that game?

All my friends still go there, so they'll call me and talk junk about it. It's all fair game and fun, but it's hard to joke around about something that means so much to me.

4. Why did you choose UNLV?

It was mainly Sanford. I was supposed to go to Utah, actually. Sanford and the coaching staff came here. I was like, "Should I stay at Utah and hope for the best or go with the coaches?" Because those were the guys that were recruiting me at the time, I made the decision to follow them.

5. Do you regret saying change was needed when Sanford was fired?

I'd like to apologize. We have had a great relationship over the last five years. ... Players and coaches have done anything and everything for this football team, and it has shown. ... Improvement has been very evident. We just ended up running out of time.

6. Did San Diego State recruit you?

They looked at me really late. ... I went to every camp since like 6 years old. They didn't offer me (a scholarship) until I had six or seven offers.

7. So you grew up an Aztecs fan?

Yeah. I went to all the games. Growing up, I thought I was going to end up at San Diego State.

8. What's the most fun thing to do in San Diego?

Probably Mission Beach, the roller coaster by the beach.

9. What about Las Vegas?

I'd probably say clubs and nightlife.

10. Any particular places?

I guess Tryst. No, let's say LAX. No, not LAX. Let's say XS.

11. When did you realize you were good at football?

I played running back my first year (in high school), and I was tired of getting beat up all the time. Then once they put me at safety and I was able to take out other people, then I realized that I do good on defense as far as letting my aggression out on somebody else.

12. How important is it to already have your bachelor's degree?

All of this stuff is immaterial because football can be taken from you, but education can't be taken from you.

13. Since you majored in journalism, are you coming after my job?

Maybe eventually in the field as far as what you do, but I don't see myself doing that right away. I want to start my own business and do some things.

14. Do you think newspapers will survive?

No. I think technology is moving too fast for newspapers.

15. Your master's program is sports education leadership. How do you plan to use that?

I've been around (sports) so long, I figure one day I want to be a coach or athletic director or just work with college athletes or high school athletes.

16. Could you see yourself as athletic director at UNLV down the road?

That would be really something. You never know.

17. Since the spot's open, what kind of person would you like to see as AD?

I would like to see someone that truly cares, not only taking on the job, but taking on the community. Maybe they played or went to UNLV. That would be really good because their experience doesn't need to be taught. They already know the passion, they already know the tradition.

18. Can you believe your time here is almost over?

I won't accept the fact it is over until it truly is over because I've been here so long, and this is all I know.

19. Playing two positions this season, how did it go compared to how you thought it might go?

I think that it went really well as far as showing a little versatility. Although it went well, I'd say it probably could've gone better just because of a couple of injuries I was dealing with early in the season. But for the most part I thought I got the job done and I'm still there. They never had to replace me.

20. One last thing, can Texas Christian play for the national championship?

Their record shows it. Who should be questioning a team that is unbeaten? ... They've obviously shown the Mountain West is on the up-and-up, and TCU is leading the pack, so they definitely deserve it.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest UNLV football updates at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.