Beavers bound for Vegas to play in heat of Sin City
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Oregon State coach Mike Riley is trying to make sure the Beavers aren't distracted by the bright lights of Las Vegas this weekend when they visit UNLV.
Oregon State is not even leaving for Sin City until late Friday. The game against the Rebels is set for 8 p.m. Pacific on Saturday in Nevada's largest city.
Offensive guard Gregg Peat said he doubts the players are going to get any time on their own.
"It's a business trip through and through. Our coaches aren't going to let us out of their sights for a second. So you don't have to worry about anything like that," he said.
In fact, the main thing mentioned by the Beavers in advance of the game was that infamous desert heat. Highs were expected to reach 103 on Saturday, although that should drop considerably by game time.
"Playing in Las Vegas in that heat, we have to be thankful it's a little bit later, give it a chance to cool off a bit," safety Lance Mitchell said.
Both Oregon State and UNLV go into the game with 1-0 records this season.
The Beavers last visited Sam Boyd Stadium in 2003, when they defeated New Mexico 44-14 in the Las Vegas Bowl. It was Riley's first victory in a bowl game as head coach.
Oregon State lost to the Rebels in Las Vegas 23-9 back in 1991.
The game is the second half of a contract that welcomed the Rebels to Corvallis in 2002. Oregon State won that one 47-17.
(Copyright 2009 The Associated Press)
