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UNLV (0-0, 0-0 MOUNTAIN WEST)vs.IOWA STATE (1-0, 0-0 BIG XII)
DATE: Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000KICKOFF: 1:00 pm CDTSITE: Jack Trice Stadium (43,000/Grass)Ames, IowaTV: KFBT-TV GOLD 33 (Ben Boyle & JC Pearson)RADIO: ESPN 920 AM (Larry Kahn & Tony Cordasco)
GAME PREVIEW
UNLV opens its 33rd season of football by traveling to take on Big 12 Conference member Iowa State in Ames ... After being the first Mountain West Conference team to kick off in 1999, the Rebels are the last to start play this fall ... Iowa State is coming off a 25-15 win at home over Ohio ... All-time, UNLV is 17-15 in season openers ... Last year, the Rebels broke a four-year losing streak in lid-lifters in Head Coach John Robinon's debut with a 26-3 win at North Texas, which marked UNLV's first season-opening road victory since 1981 ... The Rebels are only 4-10 when opening the season away from Sam Boyd Stadium ... Robinson is 8-5 in season-openers, including 1-0 with the Rebels ... UNLV earned its first victory over a Big 12 (Big 8) school last season when it downed Baylor in Week Two, 27-24 ... The Rebels are 1-7 all-time vs. the league ... When sophomore transfer Jason Thomas, formerly of USC, makes his first career start at quarterback for the Rebels this Saturday, it will mark their fourth opening-game starting quarterback in four years (1997 Jon Denton, 1998 Kevin Crook, 1999 Jason Vaughan) ... Six of UNLV's 12 opponents in 2000 received votes in this week's USA TODAY/ESPN coaches poll: No. 18 Mississippi, No. 26 Colorado State, Air Force, BYU, Hawaii and Utah.
SERIES NOTES
The Rebels and Cyclones meet for the second year in a row but for only the third time in history ... The teams' first meeting (Sept. 23, 1995) saw ISU set three opponent records vs. UNLV that still stand: Most team net rushing yards (586), most single-game rushing yards (302 by Troy Davis) and most touchdowns by one player (5 by Troy Davis) ... The Rebels list one player from the state of Iowa -- preseason All-American punter/kicker Ray Cheetany, who hails from Cedar Rapids, attended Iowa Central CC in Fort Dodge before moving to Las Vegas ... UNLV and ISU have met twice on the men's basketball court with the Runnin' Rebels taking both decisions (1976,'77).
SERIES RECORD: ISU leads 2-0LAST MEETING: 1999 (ISU 24-0)ISU at UNLV RECORD: 1-0UNLV at ISU RECORD: 0-1
THE LAST TIME THEY MET
LAS VEGAS -- (Sept. 18, 1999)
REBELS SHUT OUT IN HOME OPENER
IOWA STATE 24, UNLV 0
Attempting to go 3-0 for the first time since 1984, UNLV (2-1) instead was overwhelmed by Big 12 visitors Iowa State (3-0), 24-0, in the home debut of Head Coach John Robinson. The game also marked the opening of the newly expanded and renovated Sam Boyd Stadium and a raucous crowd of 26,167 turned out to see the team's nearly new digs. Cyclone back Darren Davis owned the night, however, running for 208 yards on 37 carries and two touchdowns. ISU scored on the first drive of the game, went up 10-0 and then capitalized on a failed UNLV punt to take a 17-0 lead into halftime. The Rebel defense stiffened after the break but the offense could not get on the board. The closest UNLV came to scoring was a failed 46-yard field goal attempt in the first half as the Rebels were shut out for the 11th time in school history and the first time since 1995. "We were worried about it being a very physical matchup and as it turned out, we were right to worry," Robinson said. "As the game wore on, they shut us down. I think our team learned a good lesson tonight." The Rebels only netted eight yards rushing on the night and quarterback Jason Vaughan struggled to a 9-for-23 night for 98 yards passing. The Cyclones, who totaled 319 yards rushing, improved to 3-0 for the first time since 1981 after pitching their first shutout on the road since 1978 and earning their first win outside the state of Iowa since 1991. UNLV fell to 21-11 in home openers and played on a grass surface at home for the first time since 1971.
2000 SCHEDULES/RESULTS
UNLV (0-0)Date Opponent (TV) TimeS. 9 at Iowa State (KFBT) 11 am PDTS. 16 NORTH TEXAS 7 pm PDTS. 23 at BYU (KFBT) 12 pm PDTS. 30 AIR FORCE (ABC) 4 pm PDTO. 7 UNR (S.West)7 pm PDTO. 14 at Colorado St. (S.West)3 pm PDTO. 21 WYOMING-HC (S.West)4 pm PDTO. 28 at Mississippi 11 am PDTN. 4 at Utah (ESPN+) TBAN. 11 NEW MEXICO (S.West)TBAN. 25 at San Diego St.(ESPN2) 4 pm PSTD. 2 at Hawaii 8 pm PST
IOWA STATE (1-0)Date Opponent TimeS. 2 OHIO W, 25-15S. 9 UNLV 1 pm CDTS. 16 at Iowa 11 am CDTS. 30 at Baylor 6 pm CDTO. 7 NEBRASKA 1 pm CDTO. 14 at Oklahoma St. 1 pm CDTO. 21 TEXAS A&M-HC 1 pm CDTO. 28 MISSOURI 1 pm CDTN. 4 at Kansas State 1 pm CDTN. 11 at Colorado 1 pm CDTN. 18 KANSAS 1 pm CDT
UNLV QUICK FACTSLocation: Las Vegas, NV 89154Founded: 1957Enrollment: 23,000Nickname: RebelsColors: Scarlet & GrayPresident: Dr. Carol C. HarterDir. of Athletics: Charles CavagnaroFaculty Representative: Dr. Myrlene LamancusoConference: Mountain WestStadium: Sam Boyd StadiumCapacity/Surface: 36,800/Natural GrassRecord in Stadium: 107-69-3 (28 seasons)UNLV All-Time Record: 178-174-4 (32 seasons)All-Time vs. MWC: 18-30-1Head Coach: John RobinsonRecord at UNLV: 3-8 (one year)Record Overall: 107-43-4 (13 seasons)1999 Record: 3-8/106 T8thOffense: MultipleDefense: 4-3
HEAD COACH JOHN ROBINSON
In a historic move for the team, school and entire Las Vegas Valley, famed football coach John Robinson was hired as the eighth head coach in UNLV history on Dec. 3, 1998. Bringing instant credibility to a program that was staring at a move into the new Mountain West Conference, Robinson came to town as one of college football's most successful and recognizable figures.
Still passionate about the game he teaches, Robinson's stunning move to the desert and subsequent courting of Southern Nevada's loyalties has rapidly mined a football spirit not before seen in the City of Lights.
What's more, the ramifications of Robinson taking the Rebels' reigns are apparent not just locally, but also transcend beyond the West and into the highest reaches of the national college football scene.
"The hiring of John Robinson should be proof positive that UNLV is committed to its football program and is serious about its membership in the Mountain West Conference," UNLV President Dr. Carol C. Harter said.
Robinson, 65, is the nation's ninth-winningest active coach with a career record of 107-43-4, for a percentage of .708. In addition, his 7-1 bowl record gives him a higher winning percentage in the postseason (.875) than any college coach with a minimum of eight games. Robinson, who earned his 100th career victory at the University of Southern California in 1997 with a win vs. UNLV, had two stints with the Trojans.
He first became head coach in 1976 and spent seven years leading Troy. His teams won 82 percent of their games (67-14-2) in his original run, averaging nearly 10 victories a year. In fact, Robinson tied a NCAA record for most wins by a first-year head coach after his team went 11-1 and earned a Rose Bowl berth.
He won the 1978 national championship with a 12-1 mark (USC was ranked No. 2 in both 1976 and '79), led the Trojans to three Pac-10 titles and guided Troy to five postseason bowls. Also, from 1978 through 1980, USC posted a school-record 28-game unbeaten streak. Along the way, he coached two Heisman Trophy winners (running backs Charles White in 1979 and Marcus Allen in 1981) and a Lombardi Award honoree (guard Brad Budde in 1979). Also, Robinson was named National Coach of the Year in 1979 following an 11-0-1 campaign.
After spending four months as USC's senior vice president for university relations, Robinson headed to the NFL to take over the Los Angeles Rams. His stint in pro ball produced the most victories (79) in Rams history. During his nine years with the club (1983-91), he reached the playoffs six times and twice advanced to the NFC championship game (1985 & '89). He spent 1992 as a television analyst before returning to USC for the 1993 season. His second term at Troy lasted until 1997 and featured three more bowl victories, including the Rose Bowl title over Northwestern following the 1995 season that improved his career record in the Grand Daddy of Them All to a sparkling 4-0.
Robinson began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, the University of Oregon, for 12 seasons (1960-71). He moved to USC to direct the school's offense for three years (1972-74) before serving as the backfield coach for the NFL's Oakland Raiders in 1975 under childhood friend John Madden.
Considered an expert on the running game, Robinson has produced four NFL rushing champions and two NCAA rushing leaders. Overall, he has tutored 24 first team All-Americans, 22 NFL first-round selections and 87 NFL draft picks.
Born on July 25, 1935, Robinson grew up in Daly City, Calif., and starred in football and baseball at Serra High School San Mateo. He then lettered as an end for Oregon when the Ducks won the 1957 Pacific Coast Conference title and played in the Rose Bowl. He received his bachelor's degree in education from the school in 1958.
Robinson and wife, Linda, have six grown children: daughters Teresa, Lynn, Karilyn and Beth and sons David and Christopher. The family also includes five grandsons and one granddaughter. "We're excited about living here," Robinson said of his new home in the Silver State. "The fun of coaching is as enjoyable at UNLV as it was with the Los Angeles Rams or USC Trojans. I'm having as good a time now as I've had in my life."
HEAD COACHING RECORD
COLLEGEYear School Overall Conf.(Pl.) Bowl1976 USC 11-1 7-0 (1st) Rose (W)1977 USC 8-4 5-2 (2nd) Bluebonnet (W)1978 USC 12-1 6-1 (1st) Rose (W)1979 USC 11-0-1 6-0 (1st) Rose (W)1980 USC 8-2-1 4-2-1 (3rd) -1981 USC 9-3 5-2 (2nd) Fiesta (L)1982 USC 8-3 5-2 (3rd) -1993 USC 8-5 6-2 (T1st) Freedom (W)1994 USC 8-3-1 6-2 (T2nd) Cotton (W)1995 USC 9-2-1 6-1-1 (T1st) Rose (W)1996 USC 6-6 3-4 (5th) -1997 USC 6-5 4-4 (T5th) -1999 UNLV 3-8 1-6 (8th) -TOTAL 107-43-4 (.708) - 13 seasons
LOS ANGELES RAMS (NFL)Year Rec. Div. Playoffs1983 9-7 2nd First Round1984 10-6 2nd Wild Card1985 11-5 1st NFC Championship Game1986 10-6 2nd First Round1987 6-9 3rd -1988 10-6 2nd First Round1989 11-5 2nd NFC Championship Game1990 5-11 3rd -1991 3-13 4th -TOTAL 79-74 (.516) - 9 seasonsCAREER 186-117-4 (.612) 22 seasons
TACKLE ELIGIBLE
The race to become UNLV's all-time tackler will be waged this fall between two standout Rebels. Junior James Sunia, who led the team in tackles for the second straight year (119 in `99), has already moved into 10th place on the school's career list with 234 in just two seasons. Sunia had a freshman All-America season when he led his squad with 115 tackles as a rookie in `98. The linebacker, who averages 10.6 tackles per game in his career, needs only 56 tackles in 2000 to become UNLV's career leader over Darnell Pickens, who had 289 from 1984-87. Right behind Sunia, however, is senior Randy Black with 233. The Las Vegas native, who will line up at strong safety, had a career-high 87 takedowns last season, which included seven games starting at speed linebacker. Two now-former Rebels -- DB Quincy Sanders at No. 6 and LB Jerrad Pierucci No. 7 -- battled their way up the same list a year ago.
UNLV CAREER TACKLE LEADERS*PL PLAYER (POS) YEARS TOT1. Darnell Pickens (LB) 1984-87 2892. Doc Wise (DL) 1986-89 280 Harvey Allen (DB) 1982-85 2804. Greg Gales (LB) 1996-98 2775. Jason Davis (DB) 1991-94 2766. Quincy Sanders (DB) 1995-99 2707. Jerrad Pierucci (LB) 1996-99 2648. Jody Reinoehl (LB) 1987-90 2609. Rodney Mazion (DB) 1991-94 23510. James Sunia (LB) 1998-PR 23411. Randy Black (DB) 1997-PR 233
*Since 1979 when UNLV tackle records became official
RECEIVERS REDUX
Former assistant DelVaughn Alexander has rejoined UNLV and will coach the Rebel receivers as part of a restructuring of the offensive staff, which was announced by head coach John Robinson last week. With the departure of second-year passing game coordinator Gene Dahlquist, who recently accepted a head coach position in NFL Europe, Robinson will assume the role of offensive coordinator and will also coach the quarterbacks. Alexander, 29, spent last season in the NFL as a quality control assistant for the San Diego Chargers under Mike Riley. In 1998 he was a member of Jeff Horton's UNLV staff and coached such Rebel greats as Damon Williams, Len Ware and Carlos Baker. Previous to his first stint in Las Vegas, Alexander served two seasons (1996-97) as an offensive assistant for the Trojans, helping work with the receivers and tight ends. He spent the 1995 season as an assistant video coordinator under then-USC coach Robinson. A two-year letterman with the Trojans, Alexander played alongside three future NFL draft picks in Keyshawn Johnson, Johnnie Morton and Curtis Conway.
REBEL RANKINGS
2000 MWCMEDIA POLL(First-Place votes in parentheses)PL TEAM1. Utah (17)2. Colorado State (10)3. BYU (3)4. Air Force5. Wyoming6. UNLV7. San Diego State8. New Mexico
2000 MWCCOACHES' POLL1. Utah (4)2. Colorado State (3)3. BYU (1)4. Air Force5. San Diego State6. Wyoming7. UNLV8. New Mexico
UNLV also was picked to finish from 4th to 8th in the second season of Mountain West Conference play in a survey of various preseason publications. National rankings are listed where available.
PUBLICATION MWC NATIONLindy's 4th 61stSports Illustrated 5th 58thThe Sporting News 5th 68thStreet & Smith's 5thPreview Sports 5thAthlon Sports 7th 88thPlayboy 8thCollege & Pro Football 8th
STAT SHOCK!
You want improbable? If UNLV's 100-yard fumble return to win the game at Baylor in 1999 seemed shocking, consider this fact: Only three times in NCAA Division I-A history has a fumble been returned 100 yards (the fumble was allowed to be advanced starting in 1992). TWO of those instances involved the Rebels and they happened in a span of ONLY FIVE GAMES! UNLV was burned by a 100-yard fumble return in game nine of 1998 when Dan Dawson of Rice returned QB Chad Reed's fumbled attempt at reaching the end zone 100 yards for a score the other way.
NCAA RECORD FOR LONGEST FUMBLE RETURN100 yards by Kevin Thomas of UNLV at Baylor, Sept. 11, 1999100 yards by Dan Dawson of Rice vs. UNLV, Nov. 14, 1998100 yard by Paul Rivers of Rutgers vs. Pittsburgh, Oct. 28, 1995
ALOHA MEANS HELLO REBELS
UNLV made a late -- and very popular -- addition to its 2000 schedule by agreeing to travel to the University of Hawaii to play the Bows on December 2. The Rebels replaced Texas as a UH opponent after the Longhorns made national news by announcing in early March that they were pulling out of a scheduled September 2 game. The NCAA allows teams that play at Hawaii to play a 12th game. "I see it as a chance for two up-and-coming programs to meet," UNLV Head Coach John Robinson said. "It really benefits both schools because it is at a time of year that will garner more national attention." UNLV is 4-10 all-time vs. the Rainbows and the two programs both were members of the Western Athletic Conference from 1996-98. The most recent meeting of the schools came on Sept. 20, 1997, when UNLV prevailed 25-15 at Sam Boyd Stadium. UNLV's last trip to Aloha Stadium came on Oct. 10, 1996, when UH earned a 38-28 victory.
PRO-REBEL FORCES
With the retirement of 12-year veteran DB Charles Dimry after the 1999 season, four UNLV alumni were on NFL active rosters on opening day 2000. One other player, Tennessee Titan rookie wide recevier Len Ware, was listed as physically unable to play.
PLAYER AT UNLV POS CURRENT NFL TEAMRandall Cunningham 1981-84 QB Dallas CowboysKeenan McCardell 1987-90 WR Jacksonville JaguarsTalance Sawyer 1995-98 DL Minnesota VikingsKeith Washington 1991-93 DL Baltimore Ravens
COMMERCIAL SUCCESS
UNLV head coach John Robinson appears in a NCAA Football national promotional commercial, which premiered September 2. The 30-second ad was produced by Host Communications out of Lexington, Ky., and appears nationally on television networks CBS, NBC and ESPN during college games throughout the season. The spot was filmed on location this summer in Fort Worth, Texas, at TCU's Amon Carter Stadium. The commercial co-stars NCAA Football spokesman Tim Beggy, who was a member of the original cast of MTV's "Road Rules." In the spot, Beggy is going through tryouts to be a college football ultimate fan under the direction of Robinson. Other commercials in the series set to run this season include stars such as Roger Staubach and Tony and Anthony Dorsett. NCAA Football is an alliance between the NCAA, the American Football Coaches Association and NACDA, and was formed to promote college football as a whole.
QUARTERBACK TRANSFERS
Quarterback Matt Ray (6-3, 205) did not enroll in school for fall classes and instead will transfer to another school, Rebel Head Coach John Robinson announced August 29. "Matt Ray asked for and received his release," Robinson said. "We are sad to see him go. He is a fine football player. But we understand his feelings under the circumstances and wish him well." Ray, out of Quincy (Calif.) High School, played as a true freshman in 1999. He started the team's final three games of the season and completed 36 of 67 passes for 541 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in losses to Air Force, San Diego State, Colorado State. Ray, who would have been a sophomore this season, competed in preseason practice with sophomore transfer Jason Thomas and senior Jason Vaughan. After the team's final scrimmage, Robinson announced Thomas would start in the season opener at Iowa State.
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WEB
UNLV's sports information office and its partner, FANSonly, premiere REBEL FOOTBALL CENTRAL beginning Monday, Sept. 4, at the website www.unlvrebels.com. The increased coverage of UNLV football features new daily content, including a weekly column from radio analyst Tony Cordasco called "Dasco's Details" and a player journal from senior receiver Nate Turner titled "Nate's Notes." The site also features everything from directions to Sam Boyd Stadium to the weather forecast for the area the Rebels are playing in each Saturday. Fans can also pick a player of the week and get updated information on UNLV's preseason All-Americans -- Ray Guy Award candidate Ray Cheetany and Jim Thorpe candidate Kevin Thomas
REBEL FOOTBALL CENTRAL MONDAY:Weekly Media Release & Luncheon Quotes TUESDAY:MWC Coaches Teleconference Replay WEDNESDAY:"Nate's Notes" -- weekly player diary THURSDAY:"The John Robinson Radio Show" FRIDAY:20 Questions -- Rebel player interviews SATURDAY:Gameday SUNDAY:"Dasco's Details" -- insider commentary
UNLV vs. IOWA STATE
TENTATIVE DEPTH CHART
REBEL OFFENSEWR (Z) 6 Nate Turner (6-3, 200, SR-1L) 8 Michael Johnson (5-10, 180, FR-RS)WR (X) 86 Troy Mason (5-10, 170, SO-1L) 9 Charles James (6-2, 180, JR-TR)LT 69 Bradon Bair (6-6, 295, JR-1L) 54 Brian Hart (6-5, 285, SR-3L)LG 63 Greg Hulett (6-3, 300, JR-RS) 75 Shane Wagers (6-5, 300, JR-1L)C 61 Peter Tramontanas (6-5, 275, JR-2L) 78 Joel Menendez (6-3, 275, FR-RS)RG 70 Tony Terrell (6-4, 295, SO-1L) 73 Dominic Furio (6-2, 285, FR-RS)RT 72 John Greer (6-5, 290, SR-3L) 77 Jimy Zoll (6-6, 300, FR-HS)TE 80 DeJhown Mandley (6-4, 240, SO-1L) 84 Brad Osterhout (6-4, 245, SO-1L) 83 Trevan Sorensen (6-4, 240, SO-1L)QB 2 Jason Thomas (6-4, 235, SO-TR) 10 Jason Vaughan (6-4, 210, SR-1L) 15 Kurt Nantkes (6-3, 205, FR-RS)TB 7 Jeremi Rudolph (5-9, 175, SR-1L) 4 Kevin Brown (6-2, 225, SR-TR)FB 33 James Wofford (6-0, 200, SR-3L) 24 Steven Costa (6-1, 225, SO-1L)
REBEL SPECIALISTSPK 39 Ray Cheetany (5-11, 180, SR-1L) 82 Rob Williams (5-11, 170, FR-HS)KO 39 Ray Cheetany (5-11, 180, SR-1L)HOLD 23 Toby Smeltzer (5-10, 185, SO-1L)LS 53 Ryan Hanson (6-2, 220, FR-RS)
REBEL DEFENSELDE 37 Scott Parkhurst (6-3, 235, JR-TR) 90 Ahmad Briggs (6-3, 230, SO-1L)DT 44 Ahmad Miller (6-4, 295, JR-1L) 68 Shane Lockhart (6-4, 255, FR-RS)NG 98 Anthony Suggs (6-0, 260, SR-1L) 92 Phil Reed (6-3, 270, SO-1L)RDE 47 Anton Palepoi (6-4, 275, JR-TR) 45 Steve Newton (6-3, 245, JR-1L) 99 Adrian Watson (6-3, 240, JR-TR)SLB 48 Tyler Brickell (6-4, 225, SR-3L) 13 LaMar Owens (6-2, 235, JR-TR)MLB 43 James Sunia (5-10, 245, JR-2L) 59 Bill Cofer (5-11, 235, SO-1L)WLB 36 Shanga Wilson (6-1, 215, JR-TR) 18 Tosh Burrus (6-0, 210, SO-1L)CB 5 Amar Brisco (5-10, 170, SR-3L) 19 Jamaal Wynn (6-0, 185, SO-1L) 34 Joe Haro (5-10, 190, SO-1L)SS 22 Randy Black (6-0, 200, SR-3L) 31 Shariff Hamilton (6-0, 195, SR-1L) 41 Ross Dalton (6-3, 205, SO-1L)FS 42 Sam Brandon (6-3, 195, JR-1L) 23 Toby Smeltzer (5-10, 185, SO-1L)CB 28 Kevin Thomas (5-11, 180, JR-2L) 25 Sean Mackey (6-1, 190, FR-RS)
REBEL SPECIALISTSP 39 Ray Cheetany (5-11, 170, SR-1L) 17 Ryan McDonald (5-10, 175, SO-1L)PR 7 Jeremi Rudolph (5-9, 175, SR-1L) 86 Troy Mason (5-10, 170, SO-1L)KOR 7 Jeremi Rudolph (5-9, 175, SR-1L) 86 Troy Mason (5-10, 170, SO-1L)
