Nov. 14, 2000

By Tony Phifer
The Coloradoan

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Bad news continues to mount on the injury front when the Colorado State University Rams can least afford it.

The latest casualties are wide receiver Pete Rebstock (knee) and defensive end Pete Hogan (high ankle sprain), who are listed as very doubtful for the regular-season finale Thursday night against Wyoming after suffering injuries Saturday night at Air Force. That brings to five the number of starters who have missed significant time this season with injuries.

Of the two, Rebstock's is the most serious - and, potentially, the most costly. He was to undergo an MRI exam Monday night because team doctors could not determine the source of pain and swelling. Results of the exam won't be known until today.

Rebstock has emerged as one of the team MVP's this season, standing second in the Mountain West Conference in punt returns, second in all-purpose yards, third in receiving yards and sixth in receptions. His emergence following Dallas Davis' season-ending hamstring injury has been a key to the Rams' success.

The junior from Cherry Creek High School has three straight 100-yard receiving games and is coming off spectacular night against Air Force in which he set an MWC record with 168 receiving yards on nine catches - three of them for touchdowns. He has 46 catches for 768 yards and six touchdowns, and also serves as the team's holder on field goals and PATs.

"Pete has been a big playmaker," CSU coach Sonny Lubick said. "It would be hard for anyone to do for this team what he has done. I really feel for him because he is having such a great year."

Hogan, a first-year starter, has been a solid performer all season. He is tied for the team lead with four sacks and two fumble recoveries, and leads all defensive linemen with 49 tackles.

"Hogan has had a very good year," Lubick said. "It will be difficult to replace him."

The bulk of Rebstock's playing time likely will be absorbed by senior Will Layne, while redshirt freshman Chris Pittman should see more time in a relief role. CSU usually rotates up to five receivers during a game.

Hogan probably will be replaced by Wallace Thomas.

The injuries were revealed three days before the Rams face the biggest game of their season. Still stinging from a 44-40 loss to Air Force, they can clinch outright the MWC title with a win over Wyoming.

"We've got to get rid of the bad pill we had to swallow against Air Force because we've still got a lot to play for," Lubick said of the 8-2 Rams. "We'll see if we can regroup, play Colorado State football, win the conference and get ourselves into a bowl game."