Rebels come to fork in road

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Optimism was high inside and outside UNLV's football program after four games last year. Then UNR handed the Rebels a heartbreaking loss that began a season-ending eight-game losing streak.

The Rebels are at a similar crossroad this season, coming off a disheartening 49-27 loss to the Wolf Pack that halted the momentum of a fast start.

UNLV (3-2) must show today at Colorado State (2-2) that unlike last season, losing to UNR isn't the beginning of the end.

"When people start losing those consecutive games, that's when people might start to get down on themselves," Rebels quarterback Omar Clayton said. "People definitely don't want to hit the wrong path. This team is definitely looking to avoid any kind of slump."

The Rams are 2-point favorites in their Mountain West Conference opener, and it figures to be a tough matchup for UNLV (0-1 MWC). Colorado State has won five in a row in the series and 11 of the last 12, and the Rebels are on a 16-game conference road losing skid, tying a school record.

Colorado State quarterback Billy Farris struggled last Saturday at California and was replaced by Klay Kubiak, son of Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak. Farris will start again today, but if he falters, Kubiak could get the call. The Rams also rely on tailbacks Gartrell Johnson and Kyle Bell, who have combined to average 109 yards rushing per game.

Colorado State hopes to take advantage of a UNLV defense that allowed 620 yards to the Wolf Pack, including 444 rushing. But the Rams might have trouble duplicating those numbers because they run a more conventional offense compared to UNR's triple option.

Unlike many recent meetings, the Rebels have plenty at stake. A victory would give them a major step toward bowl eligibility, especially with a remaining schedule filled with beatable opponents.

Winning also would send a signal this is a different Rebels team, that the loss to UNR was a blip in the big picture.

"I think going into the bye week it would help the team, it would help the coaches, it would help the student body and the community really buy into this program this year," linebacker Jason Beauchamp said. "(A 4-2 record) sounds a lot better than 3-3 going into the bye week. A win could help keep the tempo of the bye week's practice."

A loss, of course, could have the opposite effect. The usual community-wide muttering would begin anew after being mostly muted during UNLV's best start in five years. Fans would wonder if fourth-year coach Mike Sanford truly has the program on the right track.

Players also might begin to question themselves. Their confidence appeared to be lacking after the UNR loss last season when they failed to capitalize on key chances.

Losing to Colorado State could send them down the same route.

"The immaturity of the team a year ago, I would say yes," Sanford said. "I don't even think about losing, but I do think this is a different team. There's a different attitude. There's different leadership. There's a whole different feel to this team. How we react is going to be different than how our players reacted in the past."

UNLV could lose today, and all wouldn't necessarily be lost, but getting to the postseason would become much more difficult. Beat the Rams, and the conversation changes.

"There are implications of this game to the whole season," Sanford said. "I look at it like this is the playoffs."

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