‘Playing close is not good enough’

Mike Sanford has brought in better players and made UNLV more competitive on Saturdays.

Victories, though, have not followed, not nearly as many as Sanford envisioned when he became the Rebels' football coach in December 2004. Instead of a gradually improving win-loss record, the yearly mark has flattened out at two wins per year as Sanford nears completion of his third season.

Tonight provides a prime chance to marry the less obvious progress with a real-life win and show a tangible sign the program might be on the right path. It's UNLV's final game at Sam Boyd Stadium this season, and the Rebels are 3-point favorites over San Diego State. Kickoff is at 8 p.m.

"I think every one of these last games, and I think especially your last home game, is very important for the future of this program," said Sanford, who is 6-26 at UNLV.

He added it was just as critical to send the seniors out on a high note, but the returning players probably would benefit most from a victory.

The betting line has doubled from where it opened, showing a belief exists among those in the know that the Rebels (2-7, 1-4 Mountain West Conference) finally will pass the two-win obstacle when they take on the Aztecs (3-5, 2-2). UNLV has been stuck on two victories a year beginning in 2004, the season before Sanford took over.

"We've got to get over the hump and win," Sanford said. "Playing close is not good enough."

Several people with various ties to the program offered their thoughts, and a consensus on some issues emerged. Sanford will return next season, and the influential boosters will not try to change the mind of athletic director Mike Hamrick, whose policy is not to publicly evaluate coaches.

Among supporters, apathy is more common than anger, though a general frustration persists regarding a program that again moves into the background with the opening of another basketball season.

"Not as the (state university system) chancellor, but as somebody who has followed the program for a long time, I really don't think (Sanford) is the answer to it," Jim Rogers said. "Now there are lot of other problems."

He pointed out the location of a stadium that is almost eight miles from campus as being an issue, but that people enthusiastically would make that drive to support a winner.

A win over San Diego State would make the drive home easier tonight, but another loss would cast further doubt with many about the program's future. UNLV lost the last time it was favored at home. On Oct. 20, Colorado State plastered the Rebels 48-23 -- the Rams' only victory this season.

"I feel very good about what's happened as far as how we're building this program," Sanford said. "I'm disappointed in what our record is at this point because I thought, without a question, we were going to be better than this. But at the same time, we're in the situation we're in and you can't worry about the past.

"The next game is San Diego State, and I'm 100 percent focused on San Diego State."

Tonight, however, is about more than sending a positive signal to the community

"Regardless of what the outside perception is, within our program, we need to win," Sanford said.

Rebels wide receiver Ryan Wolfe agreed.

"We're just trying to get back on the winning track," Wolfe said. "I think a little more than that, it's our last home game, so we want to send out the seniors in the proper fashion. And just kind of put all the pieces together and actually show what kind of team we can be."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2914.