Font Resize
Utah linebacker Stevenson Sylvester is one of the few players who had some good memories of Utah's last visit to UNLV, a 27-0 shutout loss.
Sylvester, a Las Vegas native, had a career-high 14 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss.
While getting shut out to a lesser opponent trumped anything else, Sylvester said he kept playing hard and "focusing on having fun," even though the game was out of hand.
He hopes his final visit to his hometown as a Ute has a better ending than his first.
Not only does he expect the Utes to play better as a team than they did in 2007, but he'll have more than 50 people in the stands, he said.
"My mom has been talking about this game for a couple weeks," he said. "They're going to have a big tailgate and all the family coming down."
Then there is the weather, which should be a welcome change from Utah's frigid experience at CSU.
"Someone told me it was going to be 88 degrees," Sylvester said. "That's more like it."
Beadles a finalist
Utah offensive tackle Zane Beadles is one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior Class Award, which is based on academic success, character, community service and competition. The winner will be decided by a combination of coaches, media and fan votes. Online balloting will be held at www.seniorclassaward.com.
Utah running back Sausan Shakerin practiced Wednesday without his injured arm protected. ... The Utes lead the MWC and rank 11th in the nation in time of possession (33:15). ... The Utes have averaged 40 points in their 14-game history with the Rebels, who allow 35.2 points a game this season.
