Oct. 14, 2000

Box Score

By SCOTT MAXWELL
Associated Press Writer

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Rhett Nelson blocked an extra-point attempt with 34 seconds to play to give Colorado State a 20-19 victory over UNLV on Saturday night.

Down 13-20 and with starting quarterback Jason Thomas sidelined by a sprained right ankle, UNLV drove 86 yards in seven plays to pull within a point on Jason Vaughan's 11-yard pass to Nate Turner.

Nelson, a sophomore defensive back, also blocked a field-goal attempt this season.

UNLV's fate was sealed when an onside kick attempt failed and Colorado State took over at the UNLV 39.

Thomas, second in the nation in passing efficiency coming into the game, left with 2:03 remaining in the first half and did not return. He emerged from the locker room on crutches and in street clothes.

Colorado State (5-1, 2-0 Mountain West) opened the scoring on Cecil Sapp's 9-yard touchdown run with 6:54 left in the first quarter.

Thomas hit Troy Mason with a 23-yard touchdown pass at 7:42 of the second quarter to tie it. UNLV's Steve Newton set up the 8-play, 50-yard scoring drive when he intercepted Newton's pass and ran for 4 yards before being brought down at the Colorado 46.

The Rams went ahead 10-7 on C.W. Hurst's 45-yard field goal at 4:05 of the second quarter. Colorado State had a chance to close out the first half with a 13-7 lead, but Hurst missed on a 52-yard attempt with two seconds left.

Colorado State's Pete Rebstock fumbled on the opening kickoff and UNLV (3-3, 1-2 MWC) recovered at the Colorado State 34. Six plays later, Jeremi Rudolph scored on a 5-yard run, but Cheetany missed the extra point.

Colorado State mounted a scoring drive late in the third quarter, but after 12 plays had to settle for a 22-yard Hurst field goal that tied it at 13.

Colorado State took a 20-13 lead on Sapp's 1-yard run with 5:16 left, capping a seven-play drive.

Colorado State has won five straight against UNLV, and the Rebels have lost five in a row on the road.