Rebels to visit injured Saldi

UNLV's trip to the Dallas-Fort Worth area will be an emotional one when coach Mike Sanford and four players visit injured Rebels linebacker Bryce Saldi tonight in a rehabilitation facility in Plano, Texas.

Saldi, 20, from Southlake, Texas, suffered a serious brain injury in a skateboarding accident July 3 in Southern California.

"I've been trying to figure out how exactly to feel," said wide receiver Ryan Wolfe, one of the players who will visit Saldi. "It's really exciting because it probably would've been awhile before I would've been able to see him because of being so far away.

"At the same time, it's kind of scary because I don't know exactly what his state is going to be or how I'm going to be able to react to how he's looking. But for the most part, it's going to be an uplifting experience for all of us. We can take that experience and share with our teammates."

Along with Wolfe, tight end Austin Harrington, end/linebacker Jason Beauchamp and linebacker Nate Carter will visit Saldi. Harrington, from Grapevine, Texas, was Saldi's roommate at UNLV.

Strength coach John Grieco and football program director Sara Swanson also will be part of the visit.

"I think (Saldi is) awake, but he's not able to speak," Wolfe said. "His eyes can react to people's voices."

Interim athletic director Jerry Koloskie, linebackers coach Jed Stugart and other UNLV officials will attend a fundraiser at Saldi's alma mater, Southlake Carroll High School.

For updates on Saldi, go to: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/Brycesaldi/guestbook.

The Rebels (3-5, 1-3 Mountain West Conference) play at No. 8 Texas Christian (7-0, 3-0) at 1 p.m. PDT Saturday.

• WHAT A CATCH -- Wolfe probably made the catch of his career in Saturday's 34-17 victory at New Mexico, laying out for a 14-yard reception in the fourth quarter to convert a third-and-10.

Sanford got caught up in hyperbole at the time, saying Wolfe was the best receiver he has coached, apparently forgetting Keyshawn Johnson and Johnnie Morton at Southern California.

But no question Sanford has a high regard for Wolfe.

"I think he's the best receiver in the country," Sanford said this week.

• THE WAY THE BALL BOUNCES -- UNLV is second in the MWC in fumble recoveries with eight. What makes the statistic even more astounding is UNLV went the first 17 quarters this season without a recovery.

Now the Rebels need to find ways to get interceptions. They have gone 22 quarters without one and have only two for the season.

• TURNING IT AROUND -- The Rebels have been tough to stop on third down, improving greatly over last season, when they converted 42.3 percent.

Now UNLV is at 53 percent, second in the MWC and fourth nationally. Brigham Young (59.8 percent) leads the MWC and the nation.

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