UNLV, Baylor arrange series

UNLV head coach Jeff Horton hasn't wasted any time in filling extra game dates made available on the Rebels' schedule because of the school's recent departure from the WAC.

Horton said the Rebels have added a home-and-home series with Baylor beginning next season in Waco, Texas.

"We still haven't firmed up the date for it," Horton said Wednesday at the WAC Football Media Preview at the MGM Grand Hotel Conference Center.

"Right now we're scheduled to open the season with Air Force, but we would like to work out a way we could maybe move that game and open with Baylor instead."

Horton said he has also reached agreements for games at Tennessee (2004), at Arkansas (2001 and 2003) and a home-and-home with Oregon State (2002 and 2005).

The Rebels had been scheduled to play eight conference games in the WAC. But the new yet-to-be named conference features only eight teams, which means schools will only play seven conference contests each year.

"(The change) in conferences meant we had to do a little scrambling to fill our future schedules," Horton said.

Cade vs. Graham

First-year New Mexico head coach Rocky Long spent the last two years as defensive coordinator at UCLA watching Heisman Trophy candidate Cade McNown every day in practice. But Long believes that Lobos quarterback Graham Leigh, the WAC's Mountain Division Player of the Year in 1997, is every bit as good.

"I've been around a lot of good quarterbacks over the years and Graham Leigh is in the same class as Cade McNown," Long said.

"They're very similiar other than the fact that one (McNown) throws left-handed and the other throws right. They both have fairly strong arms, they're both very accurate and they're both very athletic. When a play breaks down, they both have ability to take the ball and make something happen.

"Obviously, Cade is going to get a lot more (media coverage) because he plays at UCLA and in the LA media market. But I think they're both very comparable talent-wise."

Firm at 85

The NCAA's decision late Wednesday to not reduce Division I football scholarships from 85 to 75 for each school was met with mixed response by WAC coaches.

Horton was in favor of staying at 85.

"I think it's crucial they do that unless they're going to let us waive (players) or have a taxi squad," Horton said.

"With 75, there just wouldn't be enough bodies. Some people say the NFL can get by with 50 or 55 players on their rosters. But the pros can move people up and down when they have injuries. We can't."

Meanwhile, Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick seemed disappointed the scholarship reduction measure didn't pass.

"It would have helped a school like us from a financial point of view," Lubick said. "Schools like Colorado State and UNLV are always looking for ways to save money. That would have helped. It also would have brought a lot more parity to college football."

Top Rebels

Lindy's College Football Magazine, which rates the top college players by position, listed UNLV wide reciever Damon Williams and defensive end Talance Sawyer in the top 25 at their positions.

Williams was rated the 18th best wide receiver, the only WAC wide receiver to make the list. Nevada's Geoff Noisy was 23rd. Florida State's Peter Warrick is rated No. 1.

"It's exciting to be recognized," Williams said. "Hopefully I can boost those ratings up a little this season."

Sawyer was ranked as the nation's 19th best defensive end. The only other WAC player to make that list was San Diego State's Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (No. 13). Nebraska's Mike Rucker is rated No. 1.

University of Utah outside linebacker Phil Glover, who prepped at Clark High, was rated the ninth best outside linebacker in the nation.

The magazine also rated all 112 Division 1 teams. UNLV was ranked No. 83 ... and that was with Jon Denton.

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