Rebel punter Kristosik earns top WAC honors

There was finally reason to smile around Rebel Park on Monday.

UNLV punter Joe Kristosik became the first punter in UNLV history to earn player of the week honors as he was named the WAC's Mountain Division Special Teams Player of the Week.

It's the first time since UNLV joined the Big West Conference back in 1982 that a punter had earned conference player of the week honors.

The 6-3, 220-pound senior from Bishop Gorman High School put on a punting clinic in UNLV's 38-16 loss at Colorado State, averageing 51.3 yards on five punts, including two of more than 60 yards. He also had a 59-yard punt in the fourth quarter that was downed inside the Ram 1-yard line and set the stage for a UNLV safety.

Kristosik, who leads the WAC and is sixth nationally with a 47.0 average after four games, is only the fourth player in UNLV history to earn a WAC Player of the Week award. Former quarterback Jon Denton, who transferred to 1-AA Eastern Kentucky before the start of the season, earned the other three awards (two in 1996, one in 1997).

Sonny's side

Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick, whose team has defeated both Nevada-Reno (26-14) and UNLV (38-16) this season, said Monday he expects "a very close football game" when the schools meet Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Lubick said the key could be turnovers, especially if UNLV is to snap its three-game losing streak to the Wolf Pack.

"We got a couple of easy interceptions in last week's game and both led to touchdowns," Lubick said. "They can't allow that to happen. I think (UNLV's) quarterback situation ... they've got two real good kids there. Once one settles down ....

"I do think UNLV is better. Some of the turnovers have made some of their games look horrendous. (Against) Wisconsin and Northwestern ... they could have gone in at halftime at 7-7 or 14-7. Instead they go in 17-7 or something like that (because of turnovers). Once they get that cleared up --- the turnover problem --- they're going to win four or five ballgames."

Crook's job

UNLV head coach Jeff Horton made it official Monday and said that fifth-year senior Kevin Crook would start Saturday against Nevada-Reno.

Crook came off the bench to complete 13 of 27 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns in last week's loss at Colorado State. Perhaps more importantly, he didn't throw an interception or turn the ball over.

Redshirt freshman starter Chris Hayward completed 4 of 8 passes for 17 yards but was intercepted twice, including once by CSU linebacker Rick Crowell, who returned it for a touchdown.

"We feel Kevin has the hot hand," Horton said. "I hope I don't have to make a switch."

Glover injured

Utah, which was stunned 31-28 by Boise State at home last weekend, may have lost star linebacker Phil Glover for an extended period of time.

Utes coach Ron McBride said the 6-0, 235-pound Glover, a Clark High graduate who is considered a potential first round NFL draft pick, is "out for I don't know how long" after his ankle "popped" while trying to make a tackle in the fourth quarter.

"It was a screen pass and Phil went over the top to play the ball and got pushed in the back," McBride said. "His ankle kind of popped. Not only did we lose a player, but they didn't even call a penalty on the play."

With Glover out of the lineup, Boise State, trailing 28-24, drove 99 yards in 9 plays and scored the game-winning touchdown with 45 seconds left on a 11-yard pass from quarterback Nate Sparks to wide receiver Rodney Smith.

Utah (3-1, 1-0) travels to Laramie to face Wyoming (2-1, 0-0) in one the WAC's marquee games this weekend.

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