BB wrote on September 30, 2008 03:13 PM: In response to THM:

I'd like to know how many years you (THM) have been going out watching UNLV football and basketball for that matter. I recall watching Randal Cunningham throw TD'S in the early 1980's. I also recall all of the losing and losing year after year. With that said I have earned the right as a true native of NV, LV and long time fan to say it how it is and how it has been for many, many years (loss after loss after loss). John Robinson was suppose to be the big hire or savior, Jim Strong was the big hire in the early 1990's because he came from Notre Dame. Then Wayne Nunnely came around. Jeff Horton jummped ship from Chris Ault and UNS's staff to come to UNLV and that was a serious bomb (those were the saddest days). I could have lined up the best HS team in NV and they would have beaten those Rebel teams.

Until the UNLV president and NV Board of Regents actually care about a real winning program it will all be the same year in and year out. Yes, on occasions we will win a "big" game such as Wisconsin a few years back, which will sadly give us some hope for a week or two but then just like this last UNR game we are taken back to the old tradition of losing.

I don't kick anything when it's down because we are all there at some point or another but fact is fact and a 49-27 loss ain't much to be proud of when everything is in the home teams favor and they get blown out (again).

THM wrote on September 30, 2008 11:29 AM: It is easy to kick a dog when he is down. Still one should not do it. No one likes to see it. I was at the game with my son. The one thing I did notice about this UNLV team in spite of the blow out score is the UNLV Kids did not give up. That comes from a change in attititude from the Coaching. Everyone is piling on Coach Sanford and the 2008 Rebels.

They have won 3 games. They lost to a QB who might well be a top dreaft pick when he graduates fron UNR.
Yes Chris Ault is a great Coach. All the guy does is get blwon out in Missouri two weeks ago and circle the wagons and come back and crush UNLV.

This season is not over the Rebels yet. Lets give them the same chance UNR gave to the Wolf Pack after it allowed Mizzo to put up 69 points two weeks ago.

Lets quit the belly aching and cheer this Rebel unit back to its winning ways the rest of the season.

If we stink worse than Sam Boyd Stadium at the end of the season. Then it is time to call for a change. Not now.

It is much better on the national scene for UNLV to beat Arizona State and Iowa State than Nevada. Sorry to breal it to everyone, No one out of the State care about the Wolf Pack.

Coach Sanford still has a chance at a winning season and a Bowl Game Match.

Lets wait until the end of the season to blast him. Hopefully The rebels respond to his commands and go back to whipping people.

GO COACH SANFORD AND REBELS-REBELS-REBELS

Go. Fight. Win? wrote on September 30, 2008 10:30 AM: I'm with you Brent.

It is becoming down right painful to renew my season tickets every year. It's a sad state of affairs.

UNR exposed this team for what it really is. A decent offense and a pitiful defense. Combine that with a special teams unit that can implode at any moment, and you do not have a recipe for success.

I have ZERO expectations for this team the rest of the year. It would not supprise me if we lose every game except maybe WYO and SDSU. And that's a big maybe.

And if that happens, Sanford needs to go. The culture of losing that is UNLV football needs to be changed. Even if we can't get a coach who is as "good" as Sanford on paper, we just need someone else. 4 losing seasons and 0-4 against our rival does not cut it.

A bowl game this year is the only way Sanford should be able to keep his job.

Brent Bucy wrote on September 30, 2008 09:35 AM: Four of us went out this past Saturday night and spent $167.00 on 4 tickets to park in the dust bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. We got to see what we thought should have been a good football game. Sadly all we saw was another poor performance by the UNLV football team. This was by far the best scenario Mike Sanford and company has had during his tenure as coach. UNR was in town, a huge crowd by UNLV standards was in place, a two game winning streak was on the line and the tradition of the in state rivalry. As usual all we got was another loss for our money and time.

I find it amusing that everyone gets so excited because UNLV won two so called "big games" in a row. These wins came over an overrated Arizona State team that isn't even rated and Iowa Sate is sub-pare. In college football you are suppose to win, draw large crowds and support your team. That is college football.

I am a true native from Las Vegas and I have seen and heard it all. In the early 1980's it was Harvey Hide. Then Jim Strong came in with his motto of, "coming on Strong." Wayne Nunnely, Jeff Horton (jumped ship from UNR), John Robinson (days long past him by) and now Mike Sanford who has three wins (so far). Why don't we give him a huge contract extension now since he has amassed more wins so far than his previous three seasons.

It seems sad to think that 3 wins is exciting. If they win 8 or 9 games then get excited. Give me a break

Reb fan wrote on September 30, 2008 08:55 AM: The CSU game is a must win. After that we have AFA (and we've all seen how great our defense is at defending the option), BYU and TCU.

I'd say our best chance for a win out of those 3 (AFA, BYU, TCU) is the TCU game, and that's a pretty grim situation given they have a very good team and have been ranked this year. (TCU should still be ranked over Wake Forest)

So in order for the Rebels to avoid the patented annual nose dive into oblivion, we have to win at CSU.

I am hopeful, but with an early start time at altitude, I'd go with the sports books and give a slight edge to CSU.

Our defense better show up this game.

Nuclear Waste wrote on September 30, 2008 03:07 AM: Throughout the game, it looked like Sanford's offense let Nevada's defense dictate their play-calling.

Nevada exposed the lack of speed, quickness and athletic ability of UNLV's defense.

The defense and special teams failed to "make plays" in the second half, when they needed it the most. They made plays against Arizona State (Beau Orth's interception and Malo Taumua's block) and won the game.

These are just the impressions of a novice whose only exposure to football has been as a lifelong spectator. Hope remains alive. However, it appears Coach Sanford's ceiling, his potential to develop a victorious and proud program, is low.

Again, these are just the impressions of a novice.