Rebels have new (and improved?) look

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999 | 10:59 a.m.

They have a newly refurbished stadium.

They have new helmets and uniforms, not to mention a new conference, the Mountain West.

They even have a new coach who has a national championship and two Heisman Trophy winners on his resume.

But as UNLV senior linebacker Jerrad Pierucci quickly points out, none of that really matters once the Rebels kick off their season on Thursday at North Texas University in Denton, Texas.

"John Robinson isn't going to win us any football games," Pierucci said. Sure, it's great that he's here and he's brought a lot of excitement to the program. But the bottom line is it's the players who have to go out and win the game, not him."

And that's something UNLV hasn't done the last 16 times it has taken the field, the second-longest losing streak in NCAA Division I football. The Rebels have lost their last 26 road games dating to Oct. 1, 1994 when UNLV won at New Mexico State, 31-27.

Fortunately, Robinson didn't waste any time recruiting some players who should immediately upgrade the team's talent level. Still, a couple of key injuries could make for another long season for Rebel fans, new unis or not.

Here's how the 1999 Rebels shape up:

Quarterback

Junior college transfer Jason Vaughan gives the Rebels something they didn't have last season -- a quarterback with a strong arm. He also has good mobility and led Middle Georgia Community College to an 11-1 record and a No. 10 junior college ranking last year.

"Jason Vaughan wants very badly to be a good player and has a lot of the skills needed to become one," Robinson said. "He is someone that is good at a lot of things but not great at any one thing. With time, he will master what we want to do and become a very effective quarterback."

Sophomore Chris Hayward, who started two games as a sophomore but lacks a big-time arm, will back up Vaughan.

Running backs

It's no secret Robinson believes a strong running game is the key to a winning offensive attack. To that end, his first UNLV recruit was a big one, explosive tailback Jeremi Rudolph of Southwest Mississippi Community College.

Rudolph was regarded as the top running back prospect in talent-rich Florida in 1994 and signed a letter of intent with Florida State. But he was also a seventh-round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in baseball and decided to take a six-figure signing bonus and try that sport instead.

The hard-nosed 5-10, 170-pound Rudolph resembles another back Robinson coached at USC: 1979 Heisman Trophy winner Charles White.

"He is a tough guy who will run inside and get you three or four yards instead of always trying to break one," Robinson said. "I predict there will be an excellent highlight reel on him after the season."

Seniors Coury Hankins and Dahrin Footman provide solid depth and seem to have improved a great deal under the guidance of running backs coach John Jackson.

Junior James Wofford, who rushed for 816 yards in a one-back set last season, and senior BJ Edwards give the Rebels two good fullback threats.

Receivers

This is arguably the strongest unit on the team thanks in part to the addition of junior college star Nate Turner of Compton (Calif.) College.

"He has some unique gifts as a receiver," Robinson said of the 6-2, 210-pound Turner. "He is one of the most competitive players I have coached in terms of just going and getting the ball. He reminds me of (former USC All-American) Keyshawn Johnson in that regard. He has a chance to be a great receiver."

Team leader Len Ware, who could overtake ex-roommate Damon Williams as the school's career reception leader with a big year, also will start. Three very talented youngsters -- redshirt freshman Troy Mason, sophomore Duane James and true freshman Michael Johnson -- add speed and quality depth.

Another player who figures to catch a lot of passes is JC transfer Jermaine Curtis (6-3, 230), who will play H-Back and has the speed (10.52 100 meters) and athletic ability (7-foot high jumper) to make big plays.

Offensive line

Young and talented, this group could be a year away from being one of the best in the conference.

Junior center Danny Pacheco anchors the unit that features a redshirt freshman guard in Tony Terrell, a sophomore tackle in former walk-on Brandon Bair of Basic High School and a couple of juniors who started last year in guard Brian Hart and tackle John Greer. Depth and experience are the main concerns.

"I'm nervous about the lack of experience but excited about the potential," Robinson said.

Defensive line

There will definitely be a new look here which, considering the Rebels yielded a WAC-high 35 points per game a year ago, might not be all that bad.

Two junior college transfers, defensive end Ahmad Miller and nose guard Anthony Suggs, will start along with lone 1998 returnee Roderick Jones, who moves inside to tackle, and redshirt freshman end Ahmad Briggs.

Don't be surprised if true freshman Kawika Sagapolu of Cimarron-Memorial High School works his way into the starting lineup by mid-year. Regardless, he'll see plenty of action in Thursday night's opener.

New defensive coordinator Jeff McInerney intends to rotate his linemen early and often to keep them fresh for the fourth quarter.

Linebackers

Freshman All-American James Sunia returns at middle linebacker after registering 115 tackles and six sacks his first year.

He'll be joined by another returning starter, senior Jerrad Pierucci, and junior Tyler Brickell on the outside.

Senior Dusty Pearce, sophomore Steve Newton and redshirt freshman Bill Cofer provide depth.

Defensive backs

Three starters return including talented sophomore cover corner Kevin Thomas, who more than held his own while starting every game as a freshman.

Both safeties, junior Randy Black and senior Quincy Sanders are experienced starters while the other starting corner, Andre Hilliard, is one of the fastest players on the team.

Special teams

The Rebels lose consensus All-American punter Joe Kristosik, but true freshman Ryan McDonald has been impressive in fall drills for his hang-time and coffin-corner kicks.

A rare two-step punter, it will be difficult to block his punts.

Senior Tim O'Reilly returns to handle the placekicking chores with junior Ray Cheetanay handling kickoff duties and backing up both McDonald and O'Reilly.

The return game, featuring Mason, James, Turner and Rudolph, has the potential to be very good this season.