PROJECTED STRENGTHS: Quarterback is more than set. There is quality depth on offensive line and in receiving corps. Defensive front should be one of nation's best and don't forget the proven place-kicker.

EARLY QUESTIONS: How best to replace three departed backs and their 2,000 rushing yards? Who will step in for league's top - and most fearless - ball catcher? Will the secondary quickly find new leaders, and don't forget there's a different punter. Plus, have you checked the schedule?

TEAM'S TOP AWARDS CANDIDATES: See front cover! And then take a look at three more All-America candidates on the other side of the ball: Senior corner Kevin Thomas, big hitter Sam Brandon and QB cruncher Anton Palepoi.

COACH ROBINSON SAYS: "Last year's seniors made themselves into winners. That's one of the greatest achievements a player can say about himself. Is this group ready to maintain that? I sure think so."

From zero to eight in two years.

Slow for any car, yes, but nothing less than break-neck speed for a college football program and an especially blazing rate for a school that had reached that same eight-win total just twice since earning D-I status in the late 1970s.

The 2000 Rebels featured a third-place conference finish, an undefeated home record and bowl victory over a storied SEC program. That all equaled the nation's third-best turnaround with a big plus-five improvement in the win column.

And it's still a challenge to figure out who enjoyed the season most, the formerly winless players or the former national champion and NFL head coach.

"The last month of the season was stuff for storybooks," Robinson says. "There were some moments that were as much fun as I have experienced in my career. It was amazing when you remember that we had the injury to (quarterback) Jason Thomas (in Game Six) and then a disastrous loss to Utah (in Game Nine) but then won out (in the remaining four games). I was very proud. I was particularly proud of our seniors, who had come from as low as you can go to as high as you can go. That was rewarding to me. The look in their faces after how they played the bowl game against Arkansas was enough to keep me going in this business for a long time."

Or for at least an additional half-decade. Robinson this spring agreed to terms on a new five-year contract extension that will keep him on the Sam Boyd Stadium sidelines at least until 2005.

"When you look back with some perspective, probably the most encouraging thing was that we developed a team ethic as the season went on. Despite being behind at some important times, they refused to ever give up. I hope that is a legacy that is established and will carry on to future UNLV football players."

From zero wins to eight in two years. It's a pace that even its architect may not have thought possible in the desert.

"Our mental self-image is very positive right now. The way we go about getting ourselves ready is ahead of schedule. What concerned me the most when I got here was getting a sense of optimism and belief. That's there now. There aren't things in the way. We have identity and a foundation. I didn't know when we would get to that stage so that's what has impressed and surprised me a little."

With seven starters back on each side of the ball for the 2001 Rebels, there is experience in camp. However, Robinson warns that the team will need to refocus rather than reload.

"In order to be successful this year we must first separate ourselves from last year. We must go back and build. A classic error is to pretend that you can pick up where you left off. This team has to go all the way back to the basic principles. The advantage is that we are stronger people. We work harder. I already saw that in our off-season program."

All of this progress may get another tangible boost this year with the possibility of a program-first national ranking in the major polls. Already kicking around in the 20s of some very early preseason lists, UNLV football seems poised to hit an even higher gear in Year Three of Robinson's reign.

"Getting ranked would be something that would be a comment for our program," says the man who has seen his share of weeks at No. 1 while at USC. "At least one magazine had us ranked something like 106 that first year (1999) and now some people are putting us in the top 25 in the preseason. Those are things you can point to and tell your players that they have to live up to. Whether we get into the rankings this year or not, I don't expect anyone to disregard UNLV football from now on."

"We need to reestablish a number of things on offense," Robinson says. "Foremost, we need to be able to run the ball. We were 13th in the nation in rushing last year but we lost three of the men who were most responsible for that ranking. Jeremi Rudolph (1,005 yards in 2000), Kevin Brown (798) and James Wofford (189) all played great football and will be hard to replace. That must be our key issue. I don't think we can get quite the same return as last year but we must be a good running team."

RUNNING BACKS

With the aforementioned talented trio now in the history - and record -- books, UNLV looks to fill its backfield with a combination of another Pac-10 transfer, a gutsy guy who has moved back and forth from offense and, possibly, a pair of prepsters who don't hit campus until August.

Hoping to fill the search is former Washington tailback Jabari Johnson (5-11, 200, SR-1L), who only ran the ball 17 times for 58 yards in mop-up duty in 2000.

"I'm sure Jabari was disappointed with the amount of time he got a year ago but he did manage to get back into football after missing a year," Robinson says. "He is a very serious, very intense runner who has the physical power and instincts. He's going to have the ball a lot. I expect him to be solid at the beginning and develop into an outstanding runner by the end of the season. I think he wants desperately to be ready for his time."

Joe Haro (5-10, 190, JR-1L), who missed half of 2000 because of injury, returns to offense after moving over to the secondary a year ago. A star special teams performer on kick coverage, look for the tough-nosed Haro to be carrying and returning the ball much more than running after it this time around. His career game came with 59 yards on just four carries vs. BYU in 1998, but his tenacious style may make Haro a fan favorite at tailback.

Squad members Royce Boone (5-10, 210, SO-SQ) and Johnnie Graham (6-0, 215, JR-SQ) will also look for time before two highly recruited runners arrive in the fall. Robinson says do not be surprised if homegrown Dyante Perkins (6-1, 220, FR-HS) and/or California record-setter Dominique Dorsey (5-8, 165, FR-HS) see time as rookies as well.

The fullback spot is a bit more proven. Steven Costa (6-1, 225, JR-2L), who is expected to also line up at times as a tailback, finished fifth on the team in rushing and raised eyebrows with his eight-carry, 78-yard breakout game in the win over Air Force. Letterman George Gordon (6-0, 250, SR-1L) also looks to be more involved.

QUARTERBACKS

With the departure of reserves Jason Vaughan and Chris Hayward, the list of names competing at the Rebel QB position this spring is best described as wafer-thin.

"It's an easy position to talk about," Robinson says bluntly, "We only have two."

But oh, what a pair.

The exploits of starter Jason Thomas (6-4, 230, JR-1L) are available in depth on his accompanying bio page, but have no doubt that the man who was labeled the most important recruit in school history after transferring from USC did little to quiet such grand designations as a college rookie.

"Jason Thomas may be the most gifted athlete I've ever coached," says Robinson, a man that oversaw the development of grid hall of famers such as Allen, Lott, Munoz and Dickerson. "The best thing about Jason is his competitiveness. That expands his opportunity to improve. He wants to do whatever it takes. The great players that I've had the good fortune to coach were all ambitious and curious and willing to do anything if it was going to help them become better. This man has all of that. For someone who hasn't been on the field much, he is surprisingly advanced. If he hadn't broken his foot and had to limp through the half of the year, who knows what he could have done.

"Jason has to be more efficient than last year. He was certainly brilliant but like every QB, efficiency and consistency become the big issues. He will have to have a larger role in the offense but not so large that we become a one-dimensional team. We owe it to everyone to give this man the opportunity to reach his potential. It's too much damn fun to watch him with the ball, so he's going to get the ball. I expect to double last year's passing yardage total (1,911)."

Part Two of the equation comes in the form of Kurt Nantkes (6-4, 215, FR-RS), a former minor league baseball pitcher who used part of his signing bonus to pay his own way in 2000. More slender than Thomas but similar in style, Nantkes showed enough last year that his red shirt remained snugly fit even when the starter went down during a key point at Colorado State.

"Kurt has as impressed us tremendously," Robinson says. "He is an older, mature freshman (actually born one month earlier than the 20-year-old Thomas). He has shown us that he is really a big-time competitor and will do real well. He's in a good position because he'll play a lot and have a very productive year."

The only other available arms are Ryan Hanson (6-2, 220, SO-1L), who lettered as a long-snapper and is spending the spring as a catcher with the UNLV baseball team and touted prep signee Tyler Arciaga (6-3, 230, FR-HS), who may not even hit campus until January.

OFFENSIVE LINE/TIGHT ENDS

With the graduation of tackle John Greer, the line lost the best of the bunch from a 2000 unit that flirted with dominance by season's end. The good news is there are now more bodies to go around.

"John Greer led our offensive line into real respectability," Robinson says. "That was an amazing group and all but one is back. More than any other position in sports, the offensive line must play together and this group really did it and now has a look in its eye that you want to see."

The left tackle spot will be filled by big Brandon Bair (6-6, 300, SR-2L) while Shane Wagers (6-5, 310, SR-2L) will battle with last year's starter Greg Hulett (6-3, 300, SR-1L) for the guard position. Center Peter Tramontanas (6-5, 285, SR-3L) started there every game as a junior after moving up and down the line early in his career.

On the right side, guard Tony Terrell (6-4, 310, JR-2L) continues to develop into a top-flight blocker while Greer's open tackle spot will be contested by redshirt freshman Jimy Zoll (6-6, 290, FR-RS) and impressive early junior-college signee Matt Williams (6-6, 300, JR-TR). Also looking for time will be lettermen Dominic Furio (6-2, 285, SO-1L), Joel Menendez (6-3, 280, SO-1L) and Ernie Calanche (6-4, 290, JR-1L) while redshirts Marcus Johnson (6-1, 300, FR-RS) and Eddie Freas (6-2, 315, JR-RS) will compete with a fall JC addition, former Rutgers player Sheddrick Mitchell (6-7, 325, JR-TR) and a former letterwinner, Matt Parkhurst (6-3, 290, SO-1L), who redshirted after completing an LDS mission.

"We have the potential to be as good as last year but I'm worried about the effect of losing John Greer will have on us. There were times when John Greer just refused to let the line fail and was not going to accept anything but success. They all have to step up and help rebuild that cohesiveness.

"Matt Williams and Jimy Zoll both look like real talents. Our center, left tackle and right guard are above average players with a potential to be at an all-conference level. I'm also enthused about the young prospects on our team."

Down at tight end, there is word that the position that has been merely a blip on the stats screen (eight catches in 2000). DeJhown Mandley (6-4, 250, JR-2L) is the incumbent but will be pushed by former back Trevan Sorensen (6-4, 245, JR-2L) and rebounding Brad Osterhout (6-4, 245, JR-1L) who missed the entire season with injuries.

"We're going to try to make the tight end a bigger part of the passing game. DeJhown has come on from a rookie who played a lot to a solid player to someone that should emerge as a big factor. We need to feature him more. I think he is on his way to becoming a star. Trevan Sorensen has his legs back and his football sense back. Those two and Brad make it a good position."

WIDE RECEIVERS

Last year's Recipe for Rebel Receiving went something like this: A gallon of Nate Turner, a pinch of Troy Mason and just a dash of anyone else. The now-departed Turner, who led the Mountain West in both receptions and yards, was Thomas' favorite target - hauling in 51 percent (66) of the team's completions (129) - but it is the loss of his physical style of play that must be keenly addressed.

"Nate Turner made so many key receptions," Robinson says. "You almost took it for granted, but it seemed like every one of his catches was for a first down or touchdown. I don't see us featuring a guy as much as Nate last year but we will be looking for someone to demonstrate his consistency and ability to make big plays over the middle."

One wideout spot is settled. Mason (5-10, 170, JR-2L) started all 12 games a year ago and was second on the team with 27 catches for 492 yards for a squad-leading average of 17.4 yards per catch. His two 100-yard games and spectacular grabs of various Thomas rocket throws earned him the label of a big-play guy as he will expect even bigger numbers this fall. On the other side, former Oregon transfer Bobby Nero (6-1, 180, SR-1L) looks to make a statement after a disappointing junior campaign that was hindered when he missed much of preseason camp while being cleared to play. One big sign of Nero's playmaking potential is that three of his eight total catches went for touchdowns - and all longer than 18 yards.

Another factor figures to be former JC transfer Charles James (6-2, 185, SR-1L), who had only two catches for 48 yards and one score before injuries sidelined him for two-thirds of the season. Also in the mix is young speedster Michael Johnson (5-10, 180, SO-1L). Help may also come from the bulky group of prep receivers signed in February, including what many believe is the cream of the crop - highly touted Earvin Johnson (6-3, 195, FR-HS) out of Southern California. Other youngsters who may get a look are Erik Elkington (6-2, 180, FR-HS), Marcus Maxwell (6-4, 190, FR-HS) and versatile athlete Mike Freund (6-2, 215, FR-HS).

"It's an interesting group. Everyone needs to upgrade. Last year, Troy Mason made one of those dramatic improvements from a freshman to a sophomore. The key is continuing that. Bobby Nero missed almost all of two-a-days and didn't get featured enough when we got going. He has great speed but he needs to play with more speed. I expect both to be in the 50-catch range. Charles James comes back after injury. He is a major deep threat. The new face in that group will be Michael Johnson who didn't play much as a freshman but has shown toughness and instincts. Earvin Johnson has great potential and may break into the rotation right away if we can teach him to run at full speed."

"The big thing we established last season was that we went from being a slow team to a fast team," Robinson says. "We are just beginning to understand the use of speed. We need to beat you with speed on defense. We're not big enough to beat you so we need to out-speed you. Overall, we expect to have a more aggressive approach. Our defense needs to become a league leader and top-25 unit in the country. We need to accept that responsibility."

DEFENSIVE LINE

Incredibly, eight of nine lettermen return along the defensive front, including all five who played on the ends and helped this unit double its sacks from 15 to 30 last fall.

Preseason All-America candidate Anton Palepoi (6-4, 275, SR-1L) is back at left end after quickly adjusting to D-I football. The former JC star led the Rebels and finished second in the MWC with eight quarterback sacks. Ahmad Briggs (6-3, 230, JR-2L), who had a career-high 4.5 sacks, is penciled in as the starter on the right side. Steve Newton (6-3, 235, SR-3L), Adrian Watson (6-3, 240, SR-1L) and Scott Parkhurst (6-3, 245, SR-1L), who will also challenge for the starting spot at strongside linebacker, round out the Fabulous Fivesome.

"We have five defensive ends that are all fast and play with great intensity. Anton Palepoi, who is outstanding on the edge, is an All-American, no question about it. But the others all are very fast and talented and will be even better. We have five guys playing two to three positions but we need to get them all involved."

In the middle, the tackle spot will be filled by Ahmad Miller (6-4, 295, SR-2L) while quickly developing Dietrich Canterberry (6-4, 290, SO-1L) takes over for the only departed starter - Anthony Suggs - at nose guard. JC star Garrett Brassington (6-2, 285, JR-TR), who gets a jump by being on campus this spring, and letterman Phil Reed (6-3, 265, JR-2L) bolster the numbers inside.

"Ahmad Miller has quietly developed into a really solid player and one of the big surprises on our team last year was Dietrich Canterberry. We have size in the middle but not much depth."

LINEBACKERS

Despite a spring setback to its leader, the UNLV linebacker spot remains well stocked. Senior-to-be James Sunia (5-10, 245, SR-3L), who was on track to obliterate the school's career tackle record before a torn MCL/ACL pulled him off the field at mid-season, re-injured his leg before spring ball and his return is a question mark.

"James Sunia had a setback," Robinson says. "He re-injured his knee at home and had more surgery. He'll play but may miss part of the season."

Fortunately, Sunia's 2000 replacement in the middle -Ryan Claridge (6-3, 240, SO-1L) -- is just getting started after he was thrust into a starting spot as a true freshman. Claridge, who also is spending the spring playing for the nationally ranked Rebel tennis team, finished fifth on the team in tackles. Promising youngster Adam Seward (6-2, 235, FR-RS) will also vie for time in the middle. The weak side will feature a battle between Shanga Wilson (6-1, 225, SR-1L) and Tosh Burrus (6-0, 210, JR-2L) while LaMar Owens (6-2, 235, SR-1L) will try to hold off Parkhurst on the strong side.

Returning letterman Bill Cofer (5-11, 215, JR-2L) will compete for time along with redshirts Terrence Young (5-9, 235, FR-RS) and Michael Crowder-Jones (5-10, 235, FR-RS).

"The young linebackers were a pleasant surprise last year. Ryan Claridge is on his way to becoming a really outstanding player. He was pushed into the fray before he was ready but he improved so fast and has such good natural instincts, that he could become a great one. Tosh Burrus and Shanga Wilson typified the kind of speed we are featuring. They can really move. Adam Seward is a real addition and we have some freshmen who are going to begin to establish themselves. If I look for a most improved player on our team it is LaMar Owens. It took a year for LaMar to fit in but now he is one of the leaders on our team."

SECONDARY

Gone from the defensive backfield are celebrated leader and consummate Mr. Rebel Randy Black and longtime presence at the corners Amar Brisco but there is a new wave of talent ready to patrol the secondary.

Free safety is managed by last year's team tackling king and defensive MVP Sam Brandon (6-3, 195, SR-2L), who is a legitimate honors candidate after developing into a hard-hitting presence just two years removed from the receiver position. A diverse group of performers will fight it out for the other spots. Ross Dalton (6-3, 205, JR-2L) was battling special teams standout Derek Olsen (6-3, 200, SO-1L) at the strong safety position heading into camp while Toby Smeltzer (5-10, 185, JR-2L) and young Jamaal Brimmer (6-1, 205, FR-RS), Ashley Subingsubing (5-11, 195, FR-RS) and Zach Bell (6-2, 215, FR-RS) will also look to for time before junior college signee Chameion Sutton (5-11, 195, JR-TR) moves to town in the summer.

"Sam Brandon is one of the two or three biggest keys to our team," Robinson says. "After learning to play pass coverage last year, he is just a tremendous attack safety. He is going to just come up and hit you. He has something that guys who played for me, like Dennis Smith and even Ronnie Lott, had. The other safety position is wide open."

Look for a big year at the corner as All-America candidate Kevin Thomas (5-11, 180, SR-3L) returns as the school's pass breakup champ with 45. The two-time unanimous first team all-league star led the squad with two interceptions a year ago and has a team-high seven going into the fall. Jamal Wynn (6-0, 180, JR-2L) will get every opportunity to grab the other corner spot while redshirt rookies Joe Hunter (6-0, 175, FR-RS) and Ruschard Dodd-Masters (5-11, 175, FR-RS) hope to make their mark as does returner Sean Mackey (6-1, 190, SO-1L).

"Kevin Thomas comes back after having in my opinion an outstanding year," Robinson says. "He didn't have as much success as his sophomore year but still played at a high level and I think can become an All-American this year.

2000 preseason All-American punter/kicker/kickoff man Ray Cheetany is gone but there will still be familiar faces doing the Rebels' booting this fall. Former walk-on Dillon Pieffer (5-11, 175, SO-1L) emerged from the pack at midseason to replace a struggling Cheetany as place-kicker and impressed everyone by hitting six of seven field goal attempts and 19 of 20 extra points. At punter, Ryan McDonald (5-10, 185, SO-1L), who actually began 1999 as the team's starter before Cheetany took over, returns to the starting role after redshirting last fall.

"Dillon Pieffer was a lifesaver for us last year," Robinson says. "In some key moments, he just came on the field and kicked the ball through the uprights. Where we were hurt early with low kicks and slow leg time, now we have a guy that kicks it really hard and has great swing time.

"Replacing Ray at punter is going to be hard. Ryan McDonald does not have the range that Ray had but he punts the ball very fast and is able to get height. Our gross punting will be down but our net should hold steady."

A handful of hopefuls will look to unseat returning long-snapper Ryan Hanson.

The return game was a solid weapon especially when Troy Mason was running back punts to the tune of 16.4 yards per clip, including a game-changing 84-yard score vs. New Mexico.

"We have high hopes for our return units. We were one of the best punt return teams in the nation last year and we are going to try to improve on the kickoff returns."

"It's going to be an exciting September around here," Robinson says of the brutal five-game gauntlet his team must walk. "When you first see the schedule, you have to see it as a negative for us. But our program has had to play the long odds a lot. If we win four or five at the beginning, we're nationally prominent. We can't shy away from that now. If you have a couple of injuries or don't get off right, you could be 1-4. That happened to BYU last year and they never recovered. We have to be ready fast. Last year's team didn't play its best football until late but we have to make sure that doesn't happen this year. Fortunately, a lot of things are in place that give us a chance to do that.

"In the league you have to say Colorado State is the favorite and I think San Diego State will be really improved, though they also have a schedule that is not fair. This is such an even conference overall but we expect to challenge every year from now on."