The last time UNLV cornerback Eric Wright played against Colorado State, a win was a foregone conclusion.
Wright even helped, getting one of four interceptions off former CSU quarterback Justin Holland in a 49-0 rout of the Rams.
Two years ago, Wright was a redshirt freshman coming off the bench for a Southern California team on the way to a repeat national title. It was the Trojans’ home opener, and compounding the talent differential, CSU came in devastated by a last-minute loss at Colorado.
This time around, CSU is 3-1, a win over CU in the distant past. UNLV is 1-3 coming off a 31-3 pounding by instate rival Nevada.
“The major difference is this is actually a conference game,” Wright said. “We’re the underdog. We have nothing to lose. It’s a road game and the odds are against us. All we can do is go all out and get a chance to beat a team people say is supposed to beat us.”
Wright has adapted well to the new role. Unlike USC, UNLV is rebuilding and can’t walk onto any field expecting to name the score.
“For me, it’s a personal matter of competition,” Wright said. “Whether you’re the underdog or expect to win, you go out and compete as hard as you can. Whether you are the underdog or the favorite, it makes no difference to me. It’s something within myself that motivates me to be a winner.”
Starters on a national championship team (he started the last four games of 2004, picking off Oklahoma’s Jason White in the BCS championship game) don’t just up and leave Troy because they want to discover life elsewhere. UNLV calls itself Pac-10 East because of its 13 Pac-10 transfers since 1999. Usually, a Pac-10 transfer fits the profile of former USC quarterback Rocky Hinds, now starting for the Rebels: caught in a numbers game or asked to switch positions.
Wright, however, was booked for investigation of sexual assault in March 2005, which led to the discovery of Ecstasy pills in the apartment he shared with another player. No charges were filed because of lack of evidence, but coach Pete Carroll suspended him.
He remained out of trouble as he served his transfer year in 2005, and now leads the Mountain West in pass breakups with eight, including an interception at Iowa State. He shut out Cyclones top receiver Todd Blythe in that game.
He also leads the MWC in kickoff returns at 27.1 yards, good for 17th nationally.
“Eric is playing really well,” UNLV coach Mike Sanford said. “He has a lot of ability to cover people. He’s one of the real bright spots on the team. He’s made a great transition.”
Wright just tried to ignore the hype.
“You can’t buy into it,” he said. “I had to come out like everyone else on the team and commit to work hard. Fortunately, I’ve been able to make certain plays. Unfortunately, we’re not winning. I’m definitely not satisfied.”
The Rams have seen Wright on film, especially his performance at Iowa State.
Unlike the CSU Wright faced two years ago, there is no David Anderson go-to receiver; either Damon Morton or Johnny Walker fill the role, with Luke Roberts sneaking in for his share. Dustin Osborn is also expected back this week, and H-back Kory Sperry (6-foot-6, 260 pounds) is too big a load for even one all-world cornerback.
“It’s one cornerback and we have some of the best receivers in the nation,” Sperry said. “If one man is covered, we have five others who can get open.”
As for two national championship rings (one as a freshman redshirt), Wright said: “Those things are stored away. They are meaningless at this point. You can’t live in the past. I plan to get more rings here.”
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
