Early QB workouts impress coach

Steve Guiremand

Monday, March 22, 1999 | 10:16 a.m.

So far, so good.

That's the assessment of new UNLV quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Gene Dahlquist after watching JC transfer Jason Vaughan and part-time 1998 Rebel starter Chris Hayward go through their first two spring practice workouts over the weekend.

The 6-4, 205-pound Vaughan, who originally signed with Mississippi out of high school and starred at Middle Georgia Community College last year, displayed the strongest arm in the workouts. Hayward and freshman Toby Smeltzer of Cimarron-Memorial also made some nice throws.

"They've really had a chance to show what they can do a little bit," Dahlquist said after Sunday afternoon's practice.

A much better chance than in Saturday's windy opener.

Wind gusts of up to 35 miles per hour played havoc for the quarterbacks. On one throw, a short flat pass to James Wofford, Vaughan's pass started about a yard in front of Wofford only to curve about two yards behind him thanks to a strong gust. Deep throws routinely sailed far over the heads of their intended receivers.

Still, Dahlquist was impressed.

"What I liked is that there weren't any complaints (about the windy conditions) and they all just went out there threw the ball," Dahlquist said.

The Rebels ran through about 40 plays from their new playbook in the first two days of spring ball.

"They have to learn a lot in a hurry and get a grasp," Dahlquist said. "Mentally, you have to be satisfied with the way they're going so far."

* CELEBRITY WATCH: Among those stopping by to watch John Robinson's first spring practices as UNLV coach were childhood friend and current Fox TV announcer John Madden and former USC star and current Arizona Cardinals tight end Johnny McWilliams.

Following Sunday afternoon's workout, Robinson and wife Linda attended a surprise 60th birthday party for Madden's wife, Virginia, at the Bellagio.

Also attending Sunday's workout were a couple of UNLV line signees, Cimarron's Kawika Sagapolu and San Pedro (Calif.) product Dominic Furio.

Between 50 and 75 people were in attendance at each practice, which is open to the public.

* PERRY VISITS: Former California state player of the year Rod Perry attended both practices on an official recruiting visit but said he wouldn't make a decision on his college choice until the end of April.

Perry, who never lost a game he played in (32-0) en route to two mythical national titles at perennial prep powerhouse Mater High School in Santa Ana, Calif., is also scheduled to visit Penn State this weekend and Wisconsin on April 9-10. He has a trip tentatively scheduled for April 16-17 to defending national champion Tennessee.

The 5-10, 180-pound wide receiver redshirted as a freshman at USC in 1997 while recuperating from preseason knee surgery to a right knee ligament he injured midway through his junior year of high school. He came back to play a key role on the Trojans' 1998 NCAA championship baseball squad as a center fielder, but transferred that fall to Cal State Fullerton to concentrate on a baseball career.

But Perry, who played baseball for the Titans at UNLV last month, said he wanted to give football another try.

"I really missed it, especially being from a football family and everything," the son of San Diego Chargers' defensive back coach Rod Perry said. "The knee is fine and sound. I've had no problems with it for over two years."

Perry, who will be eligible to play football this fall and has three years of eligibility remaining, said he is considering UNLV because of new head coach John Robinson.

"I'm having a great time on my trip here," he said. "The big thing is Coach Robinson and his staff. I know them (from USC) and they have a lot of good people around here."

Still, Perry said he intended to make all four of his recruiting visits before picking a school.

* PUNTER A NO-SHOW: Oh, well, it sounded like a good idea.

Nicole Drzyska, who showed up at Saturday's workout to try out for the team as a punter despite no prep experience, was a no-show for Sunday afternoon's practice and apparently has quit the team.

"The last thing we said to her (Saturday) was, 'Practice tomorrow at 10,' " UNLV special teams assistant Jeff Kearin said. "So she knew there was a practice today."

Drzyska, however, never turned in her gear.

"Maybe she didn't know enough to do that," said one Rebels official.

* MEET JOHN ROBINSON: The UNLV Rebel Football Foundation is holding a "Come Meet The Coach" reception on Wednesday night from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Avalon Ballroom at the Stardust hotel-casino.

Refreshments will be served and there will be a no-host bar. The public is invited to attend.

UNLV's athletic department is also holding a kick-off cookout on Saturday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Rebels' practice field near the corner of Harmon and Swenson. There will be live music and UNLV's cheerleaders also will be on hand. Each fan in attendance will receive a 1999 UNLV football schedule poster.