YEAH, BUT DO YOU BLEED?
UNR coach Chris Ault has never been shy about hyping the rivalry with UNLV by making inflammatory comments about the Wolf Pack's archrival.
This week was no different, though less intense.
Ault, who in the past has said that red represents the devil, communism and UNLV, told the Reno Gazette-Journal that the rivalry has affected his choice of condiments.
The Hall of Fame coach now claims to not put ketchup on his hamburgers because of his disdain for UNLV.
He later made it clear that he was having a bit of fun as he says he rarely eats red meat. But you get the point.
Ault also claims to not own a stitch of red clothing.
The coach played at UNR and his comments are indicative of how much more important the game is to the people in the northern half of the state.
Many UNLV fans dislike Brigham Young just as much as they dislike UNR, so the rivalry likely will always be bigger to the people of Reno than the citizens of Las Vegas.
That said, UNLV coach Mike Sanford seems to have his players convinced of the game's significance. Losing three in a row certainly helps his cause.
Sanford's commitment to stressing the importance of the game goes back to training camp where he conducted what essentially was a seminar that taught the history and importance of the rivalry and the Fremont Cannon.
In some years, winning the rivalry game really might be the most important thing. This year, not so much.
What means the most after a 3-1 start like UNLV has enjoyed is that, with a win, UNLV will be two-thirds of the way to bowl eligibility less than halfway through the season.
That's why this win would mean so much to the Rebels, no matter what Sanford or anyone else tries to tell you.
RENO BACKS BATTERED
UNR senior running back Luke Lippincott, who led the Western Athletic Conference in rushing last year, was injured during the Wolf Pack's loss to Texas Tech on Sept. 6. He will be out for the season with torn ligaments in his knee, but that's not the only injury in the UNR backfield.
Running back Brandon Fragger separated his shoulder against Missouri and likely also will miss Saturday's game. Sophomore Vai Taua will be expected to handle much of the extra workload.
Against Missouri, quarterback Colin Kaepernick was UNR's leading rusher with 71 yards. Kaepernick is also the team's leading rusher on the season with 214 yards and four touchdowns.
The line will also be without starting center Josh Catapano, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.
LOTS OPEN AT 3 P.M.
A very large crowd is expected at Sam Boyd Stadium for Saturday night's game, but fans hoping to arrive early for tailgating are reminded to not head to the east side of the Valley too soon.
The parking lots at the stadium, including the main tailgating lot, will not open until four hours before kickoff.
That means the fights are tentatively scheduled for about 3:45.
If you don't get that, watch these videos
TWO PERSPECTIVES ON THE RADIO
The game will be broadcast on KWWN-AM (1100) with UNLV announcers Dave McCann and Mike Pritchard on the call. UNR fans (or Rebel fans looking for a different take on the action) can listen to the Wolf Pack broadcast team of Ryan Radtke and Scott Gordon on KBAD-AM (920). In fact, all UNR games are broadcast locally on the station.
