Large crowd to see Rebels-Beavers

REBELS SET FOR KICKOFF

UNLV is prepared to take the field for its second consecutive home game to open the season. Improving to 2-0 won’t be easy, however, as tonight’s opponent is the Oregon State Beavers of the Pac-10 Conference.

Oregon State is unranked, but just on the outside of the polls. If the Rebels are to win, they will have to contain reigning Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year Jacquizz Rodgers, the Beavers star running back.

The game figures to be a shootout and the conditions are conducive to that type of game. There is almost no wind at Sam Boyd Stadium tonight. Oregon State won the toss, but elected to defer. UNLV will get the ball, defending the north end zone.

CORVALIS SOUTH

The entire east side of the stadium is a mass of orange. The Oregon State fans have made the trip to Las Vegas in large numbers. All those fans have made the stadium quite full. As usual, there are still plenty of fans making their way in to the building as the game kicks off. Even the late 8 p.m. start time couldn’t make the fans take their seats on time.

BEAUCHAMP STATUS

It’s still unclear whether UNLV senior linebacker/defensive end Jason Beauchamp will play. He is in uniform and will likely at least try to give it a go, however. Beauchamp sprained his right ankle last week. Review-Journal UNLV football beat writer Mark Anderson reported Beauchamp may only play one position to simplify things for him.

GOOD OMEN?

UNLV was named as an upset pick on this morning’s episode of “College Football Gameday.” A total of five potential upsets were selected. Two of the other teams have already come through. Louisiana-Lafayette defeated Kansas State on a last-second field goal and Houston went into Stillwater and knocked off Oklahoma State.