Rebels’ hopes high as Falcon Stadium

Tim Graham

Friday, Sept. 12, 1997 | 9:38 a.m.

It will be a game of firsts for UNLV football Saturday.

It will be the first trip to the Air Force Academy in the Rebels' 30-year existence. It will be the first Western Athletic Conference contest of the season.

And it will be the first chance for Jeff Horton to find out what his team is made of. Coming off a loss in last week's season opener, the Rebel head coach will lead his team into battle against the Falcons at 11 a.m.

"I'm a firm believer that every team makes its biggest improvement from Week 1 to Week 2," Horton said. "Our kids should be jacked up."

Air Force proved Horton's theory last week. The Falcons struggled to a 14-10 victory at Idaho to start their season but followed up with a 41-14 surprise at Rice, considered a favorite in the Mountain Division.

"We went into a very hostile environment (53,145 fans at Rice Stadium), and it was stacked when we got there," said Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry, who came out with his 100th career victory. "But I was pleased with our focus, and I thought we made a lot of improvement since our first game."

UNLV is hoping for the same.

Last week, the Rebels lost 31-14 to archrival Nevada-Reno, a pass-oriented team that ran better as the game wore on. On Saturday, however, they face a squad that runs and runs and runs and ...

"This is the most physical game we'll play," Horton said.

Air Force sports a mind-numbingly methodical offense that beat UNLV 65-17 last year at Sam Boyd Stadium. Out of the wishbone, it attempts to stuff the ball down its opponent's throat with fullback dives and quarterback options.

"Our players believe in what we do," DeBerry said. "We have a package we can attack whatever defenses might be thrown at us, and we don't have to change an awful lot week in and week out."

Added Horton: "They're well disciplined and execute well. They don't make mistakes."

The Falcons have committed only one turnover -- a Blane Morgan interception -- in their two games, while the Rebels lost the ball three times in Reno.

"Those kids are at the Academy for a reason," Horton said. "They have a great work ethic, and they never quit. You want those guys fighting for you in a time of war."

Once the triple option starts flowing, war will happen on the ground.

"The academies (Air Force, Army, Navy) do the best job of cutting your legs out from under you than any other team," Horton said. "They'll cut your legs up. You really have to protect your knees."

While that style of blocking is aggressive, Horton is quick to state it is not done maliciously. But it will wear down defenses in a hurry.

Because of his offensive system, DeBerry moved his two best linemen from tackle to guard. Frank Mindrup (6-foot-5, 290 pounds) and Chuck Parks (6-6, 280) add bulk to the inside game and free up the tackle slots for smaller-but-speedier Rob Evert (6-4, 260) and Karl Falk (6-0, 260) to get outside on the option.

"Those aren't your characteristic inside linemen," DeBerry said. "We've tried to establish getting back to the roots and basics of the triple option. You gotta be dominant down the middle."

Spanky Gilliam, Ryan Hill and Matt Paroda have combined for 205 rushing yards, while Morgan has added 80.

Against the new 4-3 defensive system at UNLV, which claims last week's performance will be no indicator, DeBerry is not sure what will happen.

"We're a little bit in the dark as far as what to expect," he said. "They have a new defensive staff and a new defensive coordinator (Ruffin McNeill). Their structure will change."

UNLV quarterback Jon Denton will attempt to pass against the Falcons' 5-2 defense, which is geared to stop the run. Receiver Carlos Baker especially should have a successful time running underneath the deep secondary.

Horton also wants to use running back Rodrick Johnson more than he did against UNR -- 16 carries, 78 yards -- but probably won't get the chance until Hawaii comes to Las Vegas Sept. 20 for the Rebels' home opener. The Falcons have allowed an average of only 134 yards per game this season, and their offense will limit UNLV's time of possession.

"You're lucky if you get the ball four times a half against these guys," said Horton, who watched his defense play 14 more minutes than his offense last week. "But the thing you can't do is get out of your game plan, panic and try to go for a quick score. What usually happens there is you three (plays) and out and end up giving the ball back for five, six, seven minutes."

Extra points

* ATMOSFORCE: Game days at the Academy are rich in tradition. With the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop at Falcon Stadium, visiting teams are forced to contend not only with the 7,258-foot elevation, but also a deafening pregame air show, featuring old war planes, F-15 Eagles, Stealth Fighters and parachuting mascots. "I hope we don't get stiff necks," Rebel coach Jeff Horton said. Other traditions at the Academy include nationally renowned tailgate parties, freshman push-ups equalling the point total every time the Falcons score and flying slices of "spirit cheese," which are hurled after big plays.

* DAMON AVAILABLE: Junior H-back Damon Williams and his sprained right ankle "looked good" in practice Thursday, according to Horton, but the 6-foot-4, 225-pound junior remains questionable for Saturday. Williams jogged for the first time Wednesday. "He's at about 80 percent," Horton said. Horton claims even if Williams does play, it will be in a limited capacity. "I'm not going to lose the war with him just so I can have him for one battle," said Horton, who predicted Williams could see about 20 plays. Williams led all Rebel receivers with 900 yards on 54 catches last year.

* SPREAD 'EM: The underground spread calls Air Force a 22-point favorite over UNLV. Betting on Nevada colleges is illegal in-state, but wagering is available in Mexico, offshore and overseas. ... The Scripps Howard power rankings deem Air Force a 23 1/2-point favorite.