By Mark Wallington, UNLV Sports Information After a string of heartbreaking, oh-so-close campaigns, including leaving the team one win short of a bowl appearance two straight years, it seems UNLV Football is bent on learning the art of finishing. Coffee's for closers. So too, apparently, is the postseason. "We didn't close out games that came down to the last minutes," UNLV head coach John Robinson says of a team that raced to a 4-1 non-conference record before settling for 6-6 overall. "And we let them get away from us in especially painful fashion. One of the clear lessons to me is that we have to play more efficiently and play well in close games. If we had won three out of the four close ones the last couple of years, we would have had two more bowl trips." Robinson says what will make 2004 a success is no mystery. "Last year, offensively, we didn't meet our expectations in just about every category. We became too conservative. We need to be more dynamic. We need to attack when we have the ball." Robinson, the game's all-time winningest bowl-game coach, returns for his sixth season in Las Vegas, which ties him for the longest tenure in UNLV history. His goal now is to become the first Rebel leader to earn trips to two bowl events. With 45 returning lettermen, he is confident his team is ready to be a good closer because these senior-laden Rebels are uncommonly deep on both sides of the ball. "We can be better in every area and have the personnel to do just that." Robinson says. "Suddenly we are a faster team. We have more speed offensively, defensively and on special teams. From a football character standpoint this will be our strongest team. There is not a spot on this squad that you could look at as a glaring weakness. We have a number of players who are very experienced. There are more quality players who have championship potential. "We need to get over the hump with victories. We need to contend for championships and get back into bowl games. We are at a level now where those are legitimate goals and I think will be from now on." THE OFFENSE After scoring only 23 touchdowns in '03 (to go with five defensive scores), Robinson claims the Rebel offense has to change for the team to truly succeed at a higher (read: winning) level. Plodding predictability is out. Taking full advantage of a wealth of talented running backs, speedy receivers and a sure-fire weapon at tight end is in. "We just want to do everything better," he says. "Last season was not a good offensive year for us. We have to be more dynamic. We must get down field, make more big plays and score more touchdowns." Easier said than done, but helping to insert this sizzle will be new offensive coordinator Bruce Snyder, who spent last year, his first on staff, concentrating on tight ends and fullbacks. A former national head coach of the year in his Pac-10 days, Snyder gets to bring his proven style to play-calling duties, which he will share with the head coach. "Bruce is one of the best coaches I have been associated with," says Robinson. "He really is an outstanding teacher that is very demanding and efficient, and you will see that rub off on our offense in a positive way. I'm focusing on the passing game while Bruce and (sixth-year running backs coach) John Jackson are focusing on the run. We need to be better in both areas." UNLV threw three touchdowns passes both in the season opener and season finale. During the 10 games in between there was a grand total of just six more. "The quarterback position has to play better and I think it will. That is the first step to a better passing offense. We'll have much more speed in our receivers but the QB is the key for us. Also, there is reason for optimism in the offensive line. Our first challenge is to be more physical there and our second challenge is to have some players who changed positions come through for us." RUNNING BACKS The runner warehouse is well-stocked in Las Vegas as up to a half-dozen backs could vie for real time this fall in three positions: tail, half and full. "We've got five we like and a freshman coming in the fall that we think has a great future," Robinson says. After rushing for 626 yards last season, dynamo Dominique Dorsey (5-7, 165, SR-3L) sits atop the depth chart going into his senior season. Known for his occasional breath-taking bursts up the field, Dorsey finally fought off the fragile tag in a big way in 2003 while filling in for injured starter Larry Croom. His back-to-back 100-yard games included a yeoman 26-carry effort that helped UNLV upset No. 14 Wisconsin. Also catching a personal-best 12 footballs on the year, the former California high school rushing leader boasts five all-time century-mark games with only three starts on the books. Getting his first shot at tailback duties is last year's fullback, Dyante Perkins (6-0, 235, SR-2L), who was nearly unstoppable in short-yardage situations. While totaling just 219 yards, he muscled his way to numerous first downs on fourth-and-short situations and took in seven of his nine total scores on the ground to lead the team in touchdowns. Another in an increasing line of Rebel running backs that transferred in from major programs will join the party in '04. JaJa Riley (6-2, 210, JR-TR) sat out a year ago after leaving national champion Ohio State in search of more carries near his San Diego home. A big, stand-up runner, Riley will combine with Perkins to give UNLV what Robinson calls "knock-`em-guys" for the first time since Kevin Brown ran for 800 yards as the No. 2 man in 2000. Former junior college sensation Alvin Marshall (5-10, 190, JR-RS) is over his foot injury that led to a redshirt season in '03. Expect the versatile weapon to touch the football both on the ground and through the air by lining up at a halfback spot along with other runners. The fifth man in the veteran group is also the youngest. Little Erick Jackson (5-6, 180, SO-1L) lettered as a kick-returner a year ago, but the speedy former walk-on has earned a scholarship and a chance at earning carries as a sophomore. The freshman Robinson refers to is local standout David Peeples (5-9, 190, FR-HS), who was the latest high-profile prepster to sign with the hometown Rebels. With the fullback position moving to more of a traditional function, UNLV looked for a top blocking back and found one in Moorpark College's Chad Henley (6-1, 250, JR-TR), who already has an impressive spring under his belt. Perkins may also line up here while former defender Mike Frazier (6-0, 220, SR-1L) moved back over from linebacker to add depth. "Dominique Dorsey is one of the most improved players on our team. He is very competitive and there is no question about his durability. Dyante Perkins is a powerful runner that was very successful short-yardage runner and I think he will also develop into an effective tailback. JaJa Riley is impressive to watch and has great potential. He is a glider who hits you with a lot of power, like Eric Dickerson. Alvin Marshall is over his foot injury so we expect him to make a major contribution. He is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. At fullback, Chad Henley was outstanding in the spring. We had high hopes when we recruited him and he has been even better than expected." QUARTERBACKS Rarely a cut-and-dry position during the Robinson Era, the UNLV quarterback spot has two strong candidates vying for the role of starter. Veteran Kurt Nantkes (6-4, 225, SR-3L) is certainly seasoned after starting the first 10 games a year ago but a groin injury (officially a strained pubic bone) helped limit his production late in the year and lingered long enough to keep him out of spring camp altogether. His 1,883 passing yards included 12 touchdowns vs. 10 interceptions, but it is the 51-percent completion rate that must improve for the offense to score more points. Nantkes' junior year did end on a high note, however, after he came off the bench to throw three scores and lead his team to a come-from-behind win at Wyoming in the season finale. Expected to be 100 percent long before preseason camp opens, Nantkes will have to fend off youngster Shane Steichen (6-3, 180, SO-1L), who was sharp enough as a true freshman to burn his redshirt in favor of filling in for three games. "We feel fortunate that we have two quarterbacks that can lead this team," Robinsonsays. "I think Kurt is fine and he is ready to get going again. We feel like he will come back and have a great senior year. This spring, Shane established himself as a player with a bright future. He has a strong arm and real instincts for the game. What has surprised us is his athletic ability. He's thin but he isn't fragile. I think it's strictly a question of time before he becomes a top-flight quarterback in this conference." Scott Turner (6-3, 205, JR-2L), who played the majority of the New Mexico victory after Nantkes was knocked out, will battle for the third position with Tyler Ariciaga (6-3, 235, SO-SQ), who is looking for his first playing time. Also, grayshirt rookie Marcus L. Johnson (6-4, 235, FR-HS) enrolled in time for spring drills and is a raw but impressive future prospect. OFFENSIVE LINE & TIGHT ENDS Three of five starters return here along with every reserve, which gives coaches optimism. After cutting down its sack total by eight a year ago, the line looks to also become more consistent in opening holes for the aforementioned bevy of backs. After filling in at guard a year ago, Marco Guerra (6-5, 330, SO-1L) moved to left tackle in the spring and, according to his head coach, is an emerging star. "Marco Guerra will go down as one of the best lineman in UNLV history," Robinson says. "He has great size and is as nimble as any young lineman I have been around." Joe Critchfield (6-4, 315, SR-1L) did a nice job out of junior college, starting every game, and will be counted on as senior leader at left guard. With last year's emotional leader Dominic Furio off to the NFL, the center position welcomed two converts in the spring. Nice-moving Marcus Johnson (6-1, 300, SR-3L) started the last 25 games at left guard but has moved his talents overa spot in his final campaign. Still-growing Tim Goins (6-4, 280, FR-RS) also shifted over to be the expected backup snapper. Veterans return on the right side with Zach Gorham (6-5, 310, JR-2L) moving from tackle to guard while Tyler Crandal (6-7, 285, SR-1L) will look to fend off top JC recruit Chris Bowser (6-6, 280, SO-TR) at the tackle position. Guard Brandon Gray (6-4, 320, SO-1L), who got solid playing time as a freshman will be a contributor while Marcus Bryan (6-4, 295, SO-SQ) and Aaron Mueller (6-2, 285, SO-SQ) will look for their first field time. Also, Bowser's teammate at Saddleback JC, Zeb Smithson (6-5, 285, JR-TR), will be in the mix after enrolling this fall. "Joe Critchfield and Marcus Johnson will be our senior leaders," Robinson says. "Most of the other guys are sophomores who are going to be together for a few years and make up a big-time line." Expect an increase in catches by Rebel tight ends this fall. With all but two of the 22 receptions from this position in 2003 produced by Greg Estandia (6-8, 250, SR-1L), the big, athletic weapon with soft hands should become an all-league candidate in his second and final year. Former fullback Michael Freund (6-2, 240, JR-2L) seems to finally have found a home here and leads a trio of backups that includes Kevin Baird (6-4, 245, SR-1L) and Dixie State College transfer Jesse Knight (6-4, 260, JR-TR). "Greg Estandia had a good year last year despite suffering from a nagging turf toe. We expect him to have a great senior year with his foot healed. We need to get him the ball a lot more. Michael Freund has established himself and will play a good deal. Both have improved their blocking." WIDE RECEIVERS Looking like he'll leave as his school's all-time leader in catches and yards, Earvin Johnson (6-3, 200, SR-3L) may finally get the recognition usually afforded a supreme playmaker with phenomenal hands. His 60 catches in 2003 were the second-most at UNLV since 1997 and produced 834 yards and four scores, including two jaw-dropping TDs destined for ESPN SportsCenter on that rainy day in Madison, Wis. Having caught at least one pass in 30 consecutive games, EJ never had less than four a year ago and peaked with 10 for 114 in a win at UNR. While having the luxury of writing in an All-America candidate at one spot on the depth chart, coaches may use nothing stronger than a pencil on the other side. Oh, there are at least six viable catch candidates on the roster, but they come into '04 with a grand total of five receptions between them. Two of them are youngsters in the mold of possession-friendly Johnson -- redshirt Marques Johnson (6-3, 205, FR-RS) and Shelvion Williams (6-3, 210, SO-1L) -- while the other four are smaller speed-burners who got their feet wet a year ago: Donell Wheaton (6-0, 185, SO-1L), Tremayne Kirkland (6-0, 165, SO-1L), former Fresno State transfer Terry Furlow (6-0, 190, JR-1L) and Adam Gajo (5-8, 170, SO-1L), who has the only career touchdown among the group. "Earvin Johnson is one of the most physical receivers out there and will certainly vie for national honors as a senior," says Robinson. "We also have a group of young talented players fighting for playing time. It is a real battle among the four blazing-fast guys. All six of them will be on the field this year."