FORT COLLINS, Colo.—The stakes are high for both Colorado State and UNLV in Saturday’s Mountain West Conference game.
Both programs have been at the bottom of the conference over the past few years. UNLV (3-2, 0-1 Mountain West Conference) has been in the nine-team conference basement the past four seasons while Colorado State (2-2, 0-0) finished eighth in 2007 and tied for last in 2006.
The Rebels have suffered through seven-consecutive non-winning seasons and come to Fort Collins with a 16-game conference road losing streak. The Rams haven’t had a winning year since 2003 and are 3-13 the last two years in the Mountain West.
Yet, both programs have shown signs of changing. UNLV is off to its best start since opening 4-1 in 2003 and Colorado State has held on to win two nailbiters.
“They are impressive,” CSU coach Steve Fairchild said. “Beating Arizona State on the road and then coming back and beating Iowa State, they are certainly capable of playing very good football.”
Much of the success can be attributed to the play of quarterback Omar Clayton. UNLV coach Mike Sanford sees him having the potential to become as good as Utah quarterback Brian Johnson. The sophomore has completed 59 percent of his passes and thrown 12 touchdown passes, the most by a Rebel quarterback since 2003.
“I would say he has the tools of a Brian Johnson with the only difference right now being his experience,” Sanford said. “I think in some ways that Omar could eventually surpass Brian Johnson.”
Colorado State has displayed flashes of big-play potential on offense in its two wins. First-year starting quarterback Billy Farris has completed 84-of-128 passes for 880 yards and four TDs, but has been intercepted five times.
“Steve Fairchild has done a great job with their overall team and specifically with their offense,” Sanford said. “I think they are very sound and aggressive on defense.”
The two schools share added motivation, both coming off disappointing losses. Colorado State was routed 42-7 at Cal and UNLV lost 49-27 to in-state rival Nevada.
“We went over it, we learned from it and then we put it behind us completely,” Sanford said.
Colorado State has won the last five meetings. The Rebels are 4-5 in Fort Collins.
