Next on UNLV to-do list: UNR

Four games into the season, UNLV's football team has taken some giant steps.

The Rebels have three wins, reaching that plateau for the first time under fourth-year coach Mike Sanford. Two of those victories were against teams from Bowl Championship Series conferences, the first time UNLV has done that since the BCS system was formed in 1998.

Tonight, the Rebels (3-1) get their next opportunity to reach a new high under Sanford: by beating chief rival UNR for the first time since 2004 and turning the Fremont Cannon from blue to red.

"This is the biggest game of the year," Sanford said.

Tickets for the game remained Friday afternoon.

Sanford acknowledged not having beaten the Wolf Pack has been "very frustrating," and said the entire team shares that sentiment.

He took a different approach to this year's game. Sanford previously referred to UNR as the "team up north," but saying this a new season and a new team, he now calls it "Nevada, Reno."

Of course, even calling the school Nevada, Reno, doesn't sit well with the Wolf Pack. Coaches, players and fans call it simply Nevada.

No matter what label anyone puts on the team, UNR owns the bragging rights and the cannon. Even if this state politically changes to blue in November, the Rebels want to make this a red September night with a red cannon.

They are 4-point favorites to do so but must overcome recent history. The Wolf Pack ended a five-game series losing streak with a 22-14 victory in 2005. UNR then routed UNLV 31-3 in 2006, and last year the Wolf Pack scored with 27 seconds remaining to stun the visiting Rebels, 27-20.

"I don't see (UNR) in any way as being the underdog," Sanford said. "We're the underdog."

He might be right from a psychological standpoint, but UNR stumbles in at 1-2 after blowout losses to Texas Tech and Missouri, both ranked in the Top 10.

The Wolf Pack also is banged up, with starting tailback Luke Lippincott out for the season and backup Brandon Fragger expected to miss this game, though he returned to practice this week.

Wolf Pack quarterback Colin Kaepernick must try to outscore his own defense, which has allowed 347 yards passing per game.

UNLV quarterback Omar Clayton, off to a fast start with nine touchdown passes and no interceptions, could find himself in a position to put up video-game numbers. Tailback Frank Summers is coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, and the combination could give UNR's defense fits.

The Rebels, though, could have a difficult time stopping Kaepernick. He averages 250.7 yards of total offense.

Sanford expects the Wolf Pack, which was off last weekend, to have some surprises. UNLV's season, of course, has been one big surprise at 3-1.

How the Rebels' season goes from here could ride on this game. Last season's heartbreaking loss at Reno began an eight-game slide. With so much seemingly on its side, another loss could reverse much of the good UNLV has accomplished.

"I really think winning this game would mean a lot more than any other victory we've had this season," Clayton said.

A victory also would maintain momentum for a team coming off victories over Arizona State and Iowa State and with more wins in four games than in any season since 2003.

"Those three wins don't mean anything," Summers said, "if we don't win this game."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.