UNR put lid on taunting

THE NUMBERS: UNLV managed just 66 yards rushing Saturday. By comparison, Nevada-Reno finished with 257 on the ground, 566 overall. ... UNR QB John Dutton hit on his first 12 passes and fini

Monday, Oct. 7, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

When you are dealing with an emotional game like the annual rivalry between UNLV and Nevada-Reno, it's important not to let those emotions get carried away.

UNR coach Jeff Tisdel realized that. But he also realized he couldn't put a cap over the entire week when it came to his team getting fired up to play the winless Rebels.

So Tisdel tried to find a balance for his preparation. He wanted his team to be businesslike, yet he didn't want it to forget the importance of Saturday's game at Sam Boyd Stadium.

"Our motto all week was 'Enough Said,'" Tisdel explained after his Wolf Pack wiped out UNLV 54-17. "We didn't talk about it until Thursday. But we brought in seven guys who've played here throughout the years and let them talk to our guys about how important this game was."

UNR played with controlled fury for 60 minutes. The Wolf Pack didn't taunt or talk. Instead, it made big play after big play and it dominated the Rebels.

"The key was we executed," Tisdel said. "I know that sounds like a simple explanation, but really, when you look at it, that's what we did. We lined up for 60 minutes and played good football."

In the back of the players' minds, there's the incentive of wanting to return to Sam Boyd Stadium in mid-December for the Las Vegas Bowl and avenge last year's overtime loss to Toledo. Tisdel said the subject was broached until after the Fremont Cannon remained firm in UNR's grasp.

"We said after the game that we're looking forward to coming back here," he said.

Early to bed

Despite being headquartered on the Strip at the MGM Grand, there was no need for the UNR coaching staff to worry about the players breaking curfew.

The Wolf Pack road rules call for all players to be in their rooms by 10 p.m. the night before a day game. But to Tisdel's surprise, everyone was present and accounted for at 9:30, well before the bewitching hour.

"It was amazing," Tisdel said. "I think that shows you how focused they were to play this game."

Record woes

Not only is UNLV's 0-6 start the worst in school history, the Rebels have dropped six straight at home, surpassing the record for futility set in 1972. The '72 Rebels lost five in a row.

In addition, UNLV has equalled the longest losing streak ever -- eight straight, set in '72. That team dropped its final eight games en route to a 1-10 season.

UNR took a 12-10 lead in the series and continues to dominate the Silver State Showdown in the '90s. UNLV's lone win this decade came in 1994, a 32-27 decision at Sam Boyd Stadium. The Wolf Pack has won six of the seven games in the '90s.

Extra points

* NO INCIDENTS: As expected, there were no extra-curricular activities on or off the field Saturday, a far cry from last year's brawls in Reno. The Fremont Cannon stayed with the Wolf Pack, although the cheerleaders ran out of ammunition at halftime and had to replenish the stock. One question: Where does one find ammo for a cannon these days?

* INJURY UPDATE: UNLV reported no significant injures. DT Charles Fisher twisted an ankle, but is expected to be available for Saturday's game at Brigham Young. ... Former Cheyenne High star DeShone Myles didn't appear to be suffering any ill effects from his ankle sprain of two weeks ago. The UNR senior linebacker finished with four tackles.