Mike Sanford sure doesn't sound like a coach whose job is in jeopardy. Following UNLV's 35-16 victory over Colorado State on Saturday night, the Rebels first ever win over the Rams in Las Vegas, Sanford spoke as if he intends to be a part of even more W's at UNLV. "No team has ever beat Colorado State in Las Vegas," said Sanford, "so that was the first time, and I expect the first of more."
The Rebels, who improved their record to 4-6 on the season while keeping alive their hopes for a potential bowl appearance, will next face what promises to be their most difficult remaining obstacle in their quest to become bowl eligible, a road matchup against 6-4 Air Force. The Falcons, who defeated Army 35-7 in Fort Collins on Saturday, are 4-1 at home on the season, their only loss a 20-17 setback to undefeated and now fourth-ranked TCU. "This is going to be a very difficult challenge," said Sanford of Air Force, "but it's also an exciting challenge and a great opportunity."
Sanford, who has accumulated a 15-42 record as UNLV's head coach, including an 0-5 mark against in-state rival Nevada, has been the subject of enormous public scrutiny since late September, after the Rebels 30-27 loss at Wyoming. The criticism only intensified from there, as the Rebels proceeded to drop their next 3 contests by a combined score of 157-64. Despite the growing movement against him, however, Sanford's focus has remained on the field, a focus that will now turn to trying to pull off the upset at Air Force. "For us, our deal was to go 3-0 in November. We did the 1-0, and now we got to go 2-0," said the Rebels coach. "We've got to gather up and have a great plan and put all of our eggs into the basket of this week."
Comments
No excuse for 0-5 against UNR. At least John Robinson could beat Reno.
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