Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2000 | 10:19 a.m.
Say one thing about UNLV wide receiver Nate Turner. He's versatile.
Not only does the 6-2, 200-pound senior from Compton (Calif.) College lead the Mountain West Conference in receiving yardage per game (81.6 yards), he also has a better quarterback rating than Jason Thomas.
Yep, the former prep quarterback at Los Angeles Jordan High School completed a perfect spiral to wide open Bobby Nero for a 33-yard touchdown on a double pass for UNLV's first touchdown in its 42-23 homecoming victory over Wyoming Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.
So Turner is now a perfect 1-for-1 in his college passing career for one touchdown. His pass efficiency rating is a mind-boggling 707.20, compared to Thomas' still lofty 171.96.
Turner, also an excellent blocker, leads the Rebels with 36 catches for 571 yards (15.9 average) and six touchdowns.
"I believe this," UNLV coach John Robinson said. "He's a really special football player. I think he can play 10 years in the NFL. I'm not quite sure exactly of the role yet. I just really believe he's a good player."
Turner also led UNLV in receptions in 1999, catching 45 passes for 627 yards (13.9 yards) and six touchdowns.
"He came here without a lot of structure in his play, but he's an extremely competitive guy who would do anything to get the ball," Robinson said. "And he was real hungry for coaching.
"This year Nate has become a much more disciplined, refined player. He can make great catches in traffic and he's also a real tough guy. He's a good blocker. I can see him being an H-Back or motion-back in the NFL."
"I think things are going better than last year," Turner said. "But the big thing is we're also winning. That's the best part. We have a legitimate shot at a bowl bid. It would nice to be a senior and get a bowl ring at the end of the season."
Confidence and better speed have been the key to his improved play this season, according to Turner.
"I believe I'm faster," he said. "Last year I didn't really run out there. I spent too much time just thinking and trying to feel the defense and remember the play. This year I know where I'm going, so I just run fast and good things seem to happen."
What made Turner's touchdown pass extra special last weekend was the fact it was also the first college game his mother, Deborah Sills of Long Beach, got to view in person.
"I really wanted to catch a touchdown pass so badly," Turner said. "But it just wasn't my day. But the big thing is we won the game."
Even if his mom wasn't around to watch the ending.
"She never likes to come to my games because she's afraid I'm going to get hurt," Turner said with a smile. "And darn if I don't get hurt the first time she comes to watch me play."
In the third quarter, Turner lay face-down on the field for several minutes after falling on a ball in the end zone. He got the wind knocked out of him and also slightly twisted his knee on the play.
"I'm laying there in the end zone and I started to remember that my mom was in the stands," Turner said. "I knew I couldn't keep laying there (or) she'd freak out. And that's exactly what she did. She left the stadium. She went outside with the tailgaters and watched the rest of the game on TV."
Deborah Sills can catch up on her son's exploits each week on unlvrebels.com. Turner writes a weekly journal called "Nate's Notes." He also is a regular each Friday afternoon on The Clubhouse, a daily show on a local radio station.
"It's been a lot of fun," Turner said. "I get a lot of e-mails from people. It's been a good experience for me."
Black underwent surgery early Sunday morning to have two small metal plates and screws inserted in his broken right hand to stabilize two fractures.
"I don't think he'll play," Robinson said.
Black, who could be back in time for next week's key Mountain West game at Utah, did not practice on Tuesday night.
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