Nov. 15, 2000

By Tony Phifer
The Coloradoan

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Bad news: Colorado State University wide receiver Pete Rebstock has a fractured tibia and strained ligaments in his left leg, which will keep him out of Thursday night's game against Wyoming.

Good news: If the healing process goes as planned, Rebstock will be back in time for the Rams' bowl game.

"It's definitely frustrating, but it's part of the game," the 5-foot-9, 190-pound junior said. "I'm looking forward to rehab and getting better quickly. I want to play in that bowl game."

Rebstock, the team's top receiver and the No. 9 punt returner in the nation, suffered the injury on the first play of the second quarter Saturday at Air Force. He was helped from the field but ended up finishing the game, catching nine passes for 168 yards and three touchdowns - all career highs.

"Pete showed a lot of courage to come back and play the way he did," said fellow receiver Frank Rice, who missed most of the 1998 season with torn knee ligaments. "I know how he feels, not being able to contribute. But the rest of us are just going to have to step up."

CSU, which lost No. 1 receiver Dallas Davis earlier this season, probably will elevate redshirt freshman Chris Pittman into its four- to five-man receiver rotation.

Rebstock is the fourth player to go down this season with a significant injury. The Rams also lost starting defensive end Pete Hogan for the Wyoming game with a high ankle sprain, but he, too, should be ready for a bowl game.