SteveMullinsAssistant Sports Editor
Sometimes one player can make a difference.
So far this season, quarterback Jason Thomas has been instrumentalin UNLV’s vast improvement from a year ago. The sophomore quarterbackfrom Compton, Calif. continued his havoc-wreaking style of play lastweekend in the Rebels’ 34-13 triumph of Air Force (3-1, 2-1 MountainWest Conference).
Against the Falcons, Thomas racked up 316 yards of total offenseand two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing). For his effort, he wasnamed Offensive Player of the Week in the MWC.
“He’s a great athlete,” said head coach John Robinson. “He haselusiveness and escapability. When you reach out to grab him, he’snot standing where you think he’s standing. He’s a specimen. Itstartles me at times.”
In addition to his athletic ability, Robinson pointed out thatThomas is a surpris-
ingly accurate passer. Against Air Force, he was 16-of-22 passing(73 percent). One of Thomas’ incompletions came on a drop while threeothers came under pressure.
New Mexico
Though they’ve played just one conference game, the Lobos are infirst place after hammering Wyoming 45-10 Saturday in Albuquerque.
Before the season began, not much was expected from New Mexico. Infact, the Lobos were picked to finish last by both the media and theMWC coaches.
Said head coach Rocky Long: “I think things are very equal in thisconference. It was that way last year, but even more so this year. Ibelieve the champion of this league will have at least two losses.Nobody’s a gimme.”
San Diego State
On Saturday, SDSU travels to Wyoming. The game can be seen on ABC(channel 10) at 4.
Said head coach Ted Tollner: “We are really looking forward to thegame. I’m not sure if ABC is with our 0-4 record, but we are.”
The last time the Aztecs defeated the Cowboys in Laramie was onOct. 6, 1984.
Wyoming
Despite SDSU’s winless record, Cowboys head coach Vic Koenningyesterday painted the Aztecs as a force to be reckoned with.
Said Koenning: “They’re a tremendously well-coached football team.They do a lot of things right. They have a lot of guys who can run.They’re sound. We’re gonna have our work cut out for us trying tomake it a football game.”
Utah
The Utes are idle this week and will face SDSU on Oct. 14. OnSaturday, Utah rushed for five touchdowns and got its first win ofthe season in a 35-14 dismantling of Utah State.
The game marked the 100th game between the schools in a rivalrythat dates back to 1892. The Utes have now won 19 of the last 24meetings.
UNLV
This Saturday the Rebels host in-state rival Nevada. Although itdoesn’t count in the MWC standings, this game is still viewed by UNLVand its fans as meaningful.
“It’s a real serious game this weekend for people in this state,”Robinson said. “UNLV has come up on the short end a lot in recentyears. It is an important game just for itself. It won’t matter inNew York, but it sure the hell matters in Nevada.”
The Rebels haven’t defeated Nevada since 1994. Last season, UNLV(2-2, 1-1 MWC) lost 26-12 in the 25th edition of the “Battle forNevada.” In that game, the Rebels allowed 420 yards of total offense.
Air Force
This week the Falcons will host Navy in the first leg of theCommander-In-Chief’s Trophy race. This season will be the 29thround-robin competition among the three service academies (Air Force,Navy, Army). The Falcons have won three straight and 10 of the last11 CIC Trophies.
Against Navy, Air Force has won three straight and 16 of the last18 meetings.
Players of the Week
Offensive: Jason Thomas, UNLV, QB
The sophomore gunslinger completed 16-of-22 passes and chalked up316 yards of total offense in the Rebels’ 34-13 victory over AirForce.
Defensive: Kevin Thomas, UNLV, CB
The All-American candidate had three tackles, two breakups and oneinterception in the win over the Falcons.
Special teams: Pete Rebstock, Colorado State, WR/KR/PR
The specialist gained 143 yards on six punt returns as the Ramsbeat Nevada 45-14.
