National stage awaits Rebels

A Friday night football game on ESPN is a unique stage because players and coaches are in hotel rooms across the country forming opinions on the teams playing.

UNLV has the chance tonight to finally make a positive impression, or the Rebels will continue their national reputation as a bottom-feeding program.

Even more important, the Rebels (0-2) will show - especially to themselves - what they're made of when they play Washington State (1-1) at 6 p.m. at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Are they the team that showed promise in training camp and in the season-opening 30-27 loss to Minnesota that went three overtimes? Or are they the team that gave away a 14-0 halftime lead and lost 17-14 to lower-level Northern Arizona?

"There are two realities to this week for us," UNLV coach Bobby Hauck said. "One is we're 0-2; we have to accept that. The other reality for us from our perspective is the fact we were triple overtime and a last-second field goal from being 2-0. So that's how we're going to approach it. We're going to be positive about it, even though we're absolutely ill about being where we are right now."

This game is the next to last one in a four-game home stand that opens the season. In the past, UNLV has played much better at home, so the missed the chances sting even more.

"We know we're a good team," linebacker Tani Maka said. "We've got to fix the little things that hurt us during the game and finish. If we fix that, then we'll get there and get the thing rolling."

Hauck received most of the criticism for the loss to Northern Arizona, with many fans asking for a new coach. But the smart money moved toward the underdog Rebels this week, with the betting line dropping from 11 to 8½ points.

Washington State has its issues. If not for an incomplete pass by Eastern Washington in the end zone, the Cougars also would have lost to a Football Championship Subdivision school.

But unlike UNLV, the Cougars have buzz because of first-year coach Mike Leach's presence, and an expected large contingent of Washington State fans could make Sam Boyd feel more like a home game for their team.

Leach ran an exciting spread offense at Texas Tech and took the Red Raiders to bowls all 10 consecutive seasons.

The Cougars average 238 yards passing, but starting quarterback Jeff Tuel might miss the game after apparently injuring his right knee. Connor Halliday would replace him.

No matter who is behind center for the opponent, the Rebels need the boost of a victory. A win would change the subject of how their season has begun, at least for a short time, and perhaps provide confidence.

"It hurts a little bit," senior guard Doug Zismann said of the start. "It's always been a dream of mine to have a winning season. Right now, things are a little bit dark and dim, but it's like my mom always said, 'Act your way to feeling better.' "

UNLV players must think they're on an island surrounded by doubters. Now they get the chance to do something about it.

"I feel like either you're going to get up or you're going to lay down," running back Tim Cornett said. "I feel like we're the type of team that's going to get up. We've been down this road. People are probably saying the same stuff, like 'Here they go again. Same season.' But I know what type of team we have, I know what type of teammates I have, and I know for sure that's not happening again."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.