COMPLETE PROSPECTUS PART ONE

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COMPLETE PROSPECTUS PART TWO

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PROJECTED STRENGTHS: Running back and quarterback spots are as deep and talented as anytime in history. Linebacking corps will rank among best in West. Reliable specialists are back, including return men that can potentially change games.

EARLY QUESTIONS: How difficult will replacing four of five O-linemen be? Can defensive rush package find effective bodies? Will veteran and new receivers step up? Who will help fans forget loss of school's greatest-ever defensive player? Plus, how well will team weather rough non-conference schedule?

TOP AWARDS CANDIDATES: Benefiting from a new tutor, quarterback Jason Thomas looks to rebound with a big senior year while tailback Joe Haro is the first returning 1,000-yard Rebel rusher since 1985 but suddenly has a lot of company in the backfield.

COACH ROBINSON SAYS: "We were reminded last season how small the margin of error is in winning or losing a football game. This year's team will have the talent and ability to be successful if it does the little things well."

What a difference a year makes.

A season ago, the UNLV football team was gearing up for unquestionably the most anticipated campaign in its 33-year history. The school's first-ever top 25 preseason ranking by Sports Illustrated, multiple dates with national television, a schedule peppered with nationally intriguing opponents, a handful of pro prospects pulling on the pads, even a honest-to-goodness Heisman Trophy campaign all combined to kick interest in Rebel Football to an all-time high.

Then - the season happened - and happened all the way to a 0-4 start en route to a 4-7 overall mark and fifth-place conference finish.

"We got off to a tough start and we never found a way to make the key plays," says head coach John Robinson. "The team worked hard and wanted to be successful but I think it got caught in the trap of just assuming that the positives from the year before would just carry over." Disappointment about not hitting a higher level was expected. But a complete dismissal of the development of the program would be a mistake. Even Robinson believes the victory total is deceiving from a season that saw his team suffer five of its seven losses by an average of five points each.

"It was not like we were suddenly an awful team," the former national champion at USC says. "If we had played the last minute of games better, we would have had a successful season. We didn't do the little things well and didn't finish. That was the exact opposite of the team before it (which went 8-5 and won a bowl game), so that is obviously something hard to predict."

Now, with the guts of the skilled group back - six starters on each side of the ball along with both kickers -- and the national expectations receded, Robinson's fourth Rebel team may get back to surprising folks. That will happen only if key losses are adequately addressed.

"There is a lot of talent around here and this year's team has the ability to become much better if we accomplish several things. We have to replace both offensive tackles, a big-time safety and cornerback and that will be challenging for us. We have players who have potential to do it but last year on the offensive line and at those two secondary positions, we had leadership and high skill. There has to be people to step in on both sides of the line. We have a number of transfers coming in and their contributions are going to be really important."

Those new people include the traditional collection of junior college standouts as well as two potential starting blockers from a disbanded program at Cal State Northridge. But also pumping new blood into Rebel Red veins will be a cache of transfers from highly visible I-A programs. After a NCAA-mandated year on the sidelines, two tailbacks, a linebacker and safety from the Pac-10, Big 12 and SEC will look to make a significant impact from the first whistle.

"We will have some new faces from other schools that are really frontline players," the head coach says. "They were proven and sought-after players. When you come from a junior college, you are making a major step up and the adjustment usually takes a while. When you transfer from another four-year program, it's a little bit like bringing in a free agent in the NFL. You already have a sense of what the pace is like and what the demands are. I suspect that these four men will bring a maturity that will help us tremendously."

THE OFFENSE

"The backfield is really our strength," Robinson says of a unit that returns 87 percent (2,124 yards) of its 16th-ranked rushing attack. "We have experience and quality depth at quarterback, tailback and fullback."

Even with three of the six returning starters lining up in the backfield, the head man says don't label the Rebels a running team, especially with the line largely under construction. "We'll have a balanced attack. We just have to prove that we will be able to block as well as the last two years."

RUNNING BACKS

Talk at tailback begins with gutty runner "Jersey" Joe Haro (5-10, 195, SR-3L/1,1007 yards rushing), who is only the fifth 1,000-yard rusher in school history and the first to return to UNLV since Kirk Jones in 1985. After breaking his leg while playing as a defensive back the previous season, Haro switched back to offense and put a stranglehold on the starting spot last fall with five 100-yard games, including a 226-yard explosion on just 26 carries at Wyoming. His 100.6 yards-per-game average was good for 29th in the nation as he pushed in 10 touchdowns to lead the team.

"Joe Haro had a phenomenal year," says Robinson. "He made a big commitment to having a big season and came through. I know he is the kind of person who can do that again as a senior."

Despite the fact that the Doak Walker Award candidate is the class of the conference returnees, he will most likely have to hold off some pure-bred competition in the form of two highly respected Pac-10 Conference transfers.

Larry Croom (5-10, 205, JR-TR), who once started for Arizona, seems to be equally elusive catching a pass or receiving a handoff. And the biggest of the trio is former Washington State record setter Deon Burnett (5-11, 210, JR-TR) who Robinson will look to as a power back.

Labeled as "phenomenal" by his head coach, sparkplug Dominique Dorsey (5-6, 165, SO-1L/379 yards) missed time late in the year with ankle injuries and then sat out spring ball completely because of personal reasons. However, the MWC Freshman of the Year, who paced the team with a 6.6-yard per-carry average, is expected back in the summer and should get his share of touches on the ground and through the air. Fellow Tulare High grad Johnny Graham (6-0, 220, SR-1L) and Royce Boone (5-10, 210, JR-1L) will add further depth.

Combining startling speed and strength, hard-nosed Steven Costa (6-1, 225, SR-3L/136 yards) is mastering all facets of the role at fullback.

"We feel fortunate in having a veteran like Steven Costa coming back," says Robinson. "He has played two years at a difficult position. Our fullback is a ball carrier, a pass catcher and a big blocker. He can do all three at a high level."

Former Idaho State transfer Andrew Faga (6-0, 240, JR-1L) showed signs of being a more than capable fill-in and talented youngster Dyante Perkins (6-1, 220, FR-RS) may get time either here or at tailback as well.

QUARTERBACKS

The problems that plagued ultra-talented quarterback Jason Thomas (6-4, 230, SR-2L) a year ago seem to be have been solved in the off-season. A surgically repaired shoulder is healthy. A conditioning program has produced a leaner JT. The addition of a quarterback coach will bring around the fundamentals. And the overly optimistic hype machine Thomas always resisted has finally quieted.

"Jason had a difficult time last year" Robinson says. "It seemed like everything went wrong, but he has done a lot of things to get himself back on track. He has become a maniac for off-season work and his shoulder is 100 percent. We have hired a quality quarterbacks coach in Vince Alcalde to help our entire passing game (which ranked 104th in the land a year ago)." Thomas' air production sagged after the loss of his go-to receiver to graduation but he still became the first 1,000-yard career rushing quarterback in UNLV history by adding 481 in 2001. His touchdown-to-interception ratio must be reversed and a more seasoned group of receivers can go a long way toward making that a reality. With no preseason Heisman campaign in the works, JT looks to get back to doing what he likes best - winning football games.

"It's important for us to get him back to being himself, to doing the little things well," Robinson says. "I think we will see Jason regain the form he established as a sophomore." Behind Thomas for one more season will be Kurt Nantkes (6-4, 215, SO-1L), a second-year former pro baseball pitcher who is actually a month older than JT and showed positive signs while filling in as a rookie, including making one start at New Mexico.

"Kurt Nantkes continues to give us evidence that he is going to be a really fine quarterback," Robinson says.

Scott Turner (6-3, 200, FR-RS), the son of NFL coach Norv Turner, may be the No. 3 man while the future looks increasingly bright for youngster Tyler Arciaga (6-3, 230, FR-HS).

OFFENSIVE LINE/TIGHT ENDS

The biggest question on offense comes up front where only potential all-star right guard Tony Terrell (6-4, 310, SR-3L) returns from a line that surrendered only 12 sacks a year ago. The squad's iron man with 33 career starts, including 28 straight, the "Knight Rider" will have to help break in a nearly all-new crew.

The other guard should be Marcus Johnson (6-1, 200, SO-1L), who looked good during spot duty a year ago while Joel Menendez (6-3, 275, JR-2L) and Ernie Calanche (6-4, 290, SR-2L) will both see time. The center position will be a battle between Dominic Furio (6-3, 295, JR-2L) and former Cal State Northridge starter Carlos Acosta (6-4, 290, SR-TR), who won't hit campus until summer camp for his one year in Las Vegas. Another former Matador standout, Keith Kincaid (6-3, 300, SR-TR) had the advantage of going through spring drills with his new program and can be penciled in at right tackle. On the other side, big Matt Williams (6-6, 300, JR-RS), who redshirted after coming in from junior college last year, will look to earn the start while Eddie Freas (6-2, 285, SR-1L), Ryan Morris (6-6, 295, JR-TR) and up-and-comer Zach Gorham (6-5, 310, FR-RS) will all compete for tackle time.

"On the offensive line, the tackle position is critical for us this year," Robinson says. "Inside, Tony Terrell is the leader and Marcus Johnson has the potential to be a really outstanding guard. We won't fall off much with people like Furio, Kincaid, Acosta and Morris. We have the bodies, they just need the experience. But we must find an effective tackle rotation to succeed."

Down the line at tight end, DeJhown Mandley (6-4, 240, SR-3L) could be a Mackey Award candidate as a senior. The big man has set career highs in catches and yards each of his three years (including 16 for 174 in 2001) and actually led the squad with three touchdown receptions last fall.

"I think DeJhown Mandley is an all-conference player in terms of his ability and he has all kinds of experience," Robinson says. "So often the success of veterans depends on their ability to improve and not level off. DeJhown continues to improve each year and I expect his final season to be no different."

With one former backup moved to defense and another who decided to transfer, there must be new faces in the tight end rotation. Former transfer Ryan Clifford (6-2, 250, JR-1L) will battle up-and-coming redshirt running back convert Michael Freund (6-2, 225, FR-RS ) and perhaps an incoming recruit for that spot.

WIDE RECEIVERS

After future San Diego Charger Nate Turner led the league in catches, yards and touchdowns for the Rebels in 2000, UNLV shockingly did not place a single receiver among the top 10 in any of those categories last fall. That's the bad news. The good news is that three members of the four-man rotation are back in '02 and help hit the field this spring.

Michael Johnson (5-10, 190, JR-2L), who paced the squad with only 25 catches and 435 yards, showed he has long-range ability but needs to develop consistency. Meanwhile, the veteran of the group, Troy Mason (5-10, 170, SR-3L/19 catches in 2001) will look to get back to his sometimes-spectacular sophomore form. Lanky Earvin Johnson (6-3, 200, SO-1L/12 catches) is a future star that was perhaps forced into action prematurely by a catch-starved offense. Expect David Relf (6-1, 190, JR-TR), who was a favorite Jason Thomas target when both attended Dominguez High School, to get plenty of looks after benefiting from spring ball while former DB Toby Smeltzer (5-10, 185, SR-3L) may surprise in his last collegiate campaign.

"We fell off at this position last year," Robinson says. "It's simple - we have to perform much better this time around. Earvin Johnson is on his way to becoming a really outstanding player. He has a better understanding of the speed and intensity needed to succeed and wants to be that great player. David Relf is a JC player who is coming in and has showed signs of becoming a solid, Nate Turner-type of contributor. The big-play guy on our offense, however, is Troy Mason. He had an all right season but we think he can have a big year for us catching the ball."

THE DEFENSE

"The strength of our defense is in the linebackers but we have a lot of young talent all around the positions," Robinson says. "We just have to replace the experience and leadership that our departed seniors brought to the field."

DEFENSIVE LINE

Gone are future NFL players Anton Palepoi and Ahmad Miller. Gone are super subs Scott Parkhurst and Steven Newton. And gone are 12 of the 14 quarterback sacks produced by the D-line a year ago.

Name tags anyone?

"We lost a lot but there is a nice mix of veterans and young guys we have to break in," insists defensive coordinator Mike Bradeson, who is the dean of the coaching staff as he enters his seventh season at UNLV. "Obviously when you lose four talented guys, including a potential high NFL pick (Palepoi) there will be questions of depth. But are there bodies that can get it done this year? Oh yeah."

Returning end Ahmad Briggs (6-4, 230, SR-3L), who had the other two sacks, should thrive in the brighter spotlight this fall while converted tight end Trevan Sorensen (6-4, 270, SR-3L) has the size and speed to be a surprise force on the other edge. Two junior-college additions -Shaun Siaki (6-4, 250, JR-TR) who will get plenty of practice this spring, and Chris Eagen (6-4, 265, JR-TR) should be part of the rotation along with local redshirt Leon Moore (6-5, 255, FR-RS) who is loaded with potential.

Inside, Robinson calls two-year starter at tackle Dietrich Canterberry (6-4, 300, JR-2L) one of the most improved players on the team while former JC man Garrett Brassington (6-2, 285, SR-1L), who was an effective contributor at the end of 2001, should head into preseason camp as the starter. Another important JC addition, Joe Oniwor (6-1, 285, JR-TR) will battle for time along with veteran Phil Reed (6-3, 270, SR-3L) and Jason Ramirez (6-1, 260, JR-TR).

"Briggs and Canterberry are the stalwarts up front," Bradeson says. "Add Trevan Sorensen into the mix and you have a guy who is relatively new to the position (four games) but is bigger and as fast as Anton Palepoi was going into his senior year. Shaun Siaki will get a lot of reps to get acclimated to the system while Leon Moore is young but a rising star. And Garrett Brassington really came on at the end of the year."

LINEBACKERS

Even with the unexpected loss of projected starter Tosh Burrus, who had to retire because of medical reasons concerning his neck, this is the best-stocked spot on defense.

Moving to the outside will be ultra-athletic Ryan Claridge (6-3, 250, JR-2L) who nearly led the nation in forced fumbles while finishing second on the team in tackles with 71. Moving into the middle slot is Adam Seward (6-2, 240, SO-1L), who is the second-leading returning tackler with 60. And looking to make some noise on the strong side is former Iowa State backer Tyrone Tucker (6-2, 240, SR-TR), who only has one year to play after sitting out 2001.

Coaches are excited about the speed of youngster Joe Miklos (6-1, 205, FR-RS) while veteran Bill Cofer (5-11, 225, SR-3L) will also be back on the field. Additional depth comes from three players who recently moved to the position: former safeties Zach Bell (6-0, 220, SO-1L) and Derek Olsen (6-3, 205, JR-2L) combine with recent prep running back Marcus Crawford (6-3, 210, FR-HS) to offer the big-time mobility called for in the UNLV scheme.

"We have a set of young, impressive linebackers coming back in Ryan Claridge and Adam Seward while Tyrone Tucker has experience playing in the Big 12," Bradeson says. "Combine that with an infusion of young guys and we have a lot of talent. This is a faster set of players than last year but we have depth that must be developed over the season."

SECONDARY

Record-breaker Kevin Thomas exited after four dominant years on the corner that culminated in being named All-America and conference defensive MVP. Super safety Sam Brandon led the last two Rebel squads in tackles despite coming to college as a receiver. Both will be on NFL rosters in the fall. However, Bradeson is not asking anyone for sympathy in the secondary.

"We are not looking to replace Kevin Thomas or Sam Brandon," he says. "You talk about finding another corner and safety but they don't really have to be the same type of players. We won't be asking them to do the same things. The key is developing a new cornerback and finding the right combination of safeties."

Veteran Jamal Wynn (6-0, 185, SR-3L) returns to one corner spot and will be pushed by former Idaho State transfer Michael Clancey (5-10, 170, JR-TR) and converted running back David Olsen (5-11, 180, FR-RS) who followed older brother David to the Rebel defense. On the other side, a battle between Ruschard Dodd-Masters (5-11, 175, SO-1L) and boisterous JC transfer Daniel Jones (5-10, 180, JR-TR) will rage through the spring and into two-a-days.

Free safety will be home to two nice-sized defenders. Former Alabama starter Connie Brown (6-2, 200, SR-TR) and veteran Ross Dalton (6-3, 210, SR-3L) will look to continue Brandon's big-hitting tradition. Chamieon Sutton (5-11, 180, SR-1L), who is the only player on the current squad with even one interception to his credit will patrol the strong side along with the larger Jamaal Brimmer (6-1, 205, SO-1L).

THE SPECIAL TEAMS

The whole bunch returns here.

Although he made only seven of 12 field goal attempts overall, veteran place-kicker Dillon Pieffer (5-11, 180, JR-2L) missed only two after the third week. He also proved he could hit the long ball by nailing two over 40, including a career-long 49-yarder that went in the record book as the 10th-best in UNLV history. Also, the team's extra point conversion rate improved from a dismal 84 to 94 percent in his first full-time season.

Punter Gary Cook (5-11, 195, SO) was thrown in action as a true freshman but steadily improved throughout the year, even snagging a MWC special teams player of the week award for a fine effort at UNR along the way. His 38.4-yard average, which included a 64-yarder, should climb higher as a sophomore. Kickoff specialist Hubi Schulze Zumkley (6-2, 220, SO-1L) also looks to improve in year two.

UNLV's return game figures to continue as a weapon after finishing sixth nationally in kickoffs and 16th in punt returns. One of the nation's best at punts is Troy Mason, who finished 15th with 12.9 yards per return and is always a scoring threat after taking two back for touchdowns in his career.

Dominique Dorsey took his first career kickoff return 87 yards vs. Northwestern and continued to pour on the gas until sprained ankles curtailed his availability. He fell two attempts short of qualifying for second in the national rankings but his 10 returns still produced a UNLV single-season record 34.6-yard average. Joining "Neek" in the hunt for return time will be Joe Haro, who brought back two for 66 yards in 2001, and newcomers Larry Croom, who did some returning at Arizona and Deon Burnett.

Toby Smeltzer returns for a final year of holding kicks while long-snapper Eddie Freas is back but may be pushed by rookie Ryan Heise (6-3, 250, FR-HS) and others.

THE SCHEDULE

A nationally televised visit by Wisconsin, six home games overall for the first time in six years and a season-ending showdown with perennial league power Colorado State highlight the 2002 UNLV slate.

Expecting a state-record crowd of more than 42,000 with the Badgers in town, the Rebels open at home for the first time since 1994 with the first August game ever at Sam Boyd Stadium. Next, the Rebels stay at home for a second week by meeting Big 12 Conference member Kansas for the first time in history on September 7, which will mark the first time UNLV opens a year with two consecutive home games since 1992.

UNLV heads to Pac-10 Conference member Oregon State on September 14. The match-up with the Beavers, who are just one season removed from a Fiesta Bowl title, will be the fourth meeting between the schools (UNLV leads the series 3-0) but the first since 1991.

The Rebels travel to Mid-American Conference-champion Toledo on September 21, marking the second meeting between the schools and the first since UNLV downed the Rockets in the 1984 California Bowl behind Randall Cunningham.

After the first of two scheduled byes, UNLV will host Nevada, Reno in the 28th edition of the Battle for the Fremont Cannon on October 5. Although UNR leads the overall series 15-12, the Rebels have won two straight over the Wolf Pack.

UNLV will play its fourth home game in six dates on October 12 by opening MWC play as a host to New Mexico in a series that the Rebels lead 5-4.

A trip to defending MWC king BYU on October 19 follows and the Rebels will attempt to down the Cougars for the first time since 1981.

UNLV will stay on the road and take on San Diego State on October 26 when Robinson's team will look for its third straight win over the Aztecs.

Wyoming comes to town November 2 looking to break the Rebels' three-game winning streak in the series. UNLV then heads to Utah on November 9 looking for its first-ever win in Salt Lake City.

The home schedule closes out November 16 when Air Force invades Sam Boyd Stadium hoping to snap the Rebels' two-game winning streak in the series. The sixth home date will mark the most for UNLV since its first season in the Western Athletic Conference in 1996.

After their second week off, the Rebels will head to Colorado State on November 30, which will mark the fourth-latest regular-season game in school history. The Rams, who won the inaugural New Orleans Bowl, are the last of four bowl teams the Rebels will face in 2002.

"This is a very challenging schedule again for us both in and out of conference, especially on the road," says Robinson. "However, the two byes do come at what could be opportune times in the season if things go well."