UNLV 26, North Texas 3

Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999 | 8:37 a.m.

In his first game in almost two years, Robinson coached UNLV to a 26-3 victory over North Texas, ending the nation's second-longest Division I-A losing streak at 16 games. It also ended the Rebels' 26-game losing streak on the road.

Robinson coached 12 years in two stints at Southern Cal (1976-82 and 1993-97) and coached the Los Angeles Rams for nine seasons starting in 1983. Robinson hadn't coached since November 1997, when he was fired by USC.

Robinson started this season with a 104-35-4 record and was 7-1 in bowl games. He won a national championship with USC in 1978.

While at USC, Robinson coached Heisman Trophy winners Charles White and Marcus Allen, 24 All-Americans, 22 NFL first-round draft picks and 86 NFL draft choices.

UNLV held North Texas to 161 yards in the first half, but 64 of those came in the last four minutes, leading to a 24-yard field goal by Jason Ball as time expired.

Jeremi Rudolph scored the first UNLV touchdown under Robinson, circling left end from 9 yards with 11:21 left in the half.

Rudolph helped UNLV blow the game open late, his 3-yard run in the fourth quarter capping an 81-yard drive in 13 plays. The Rebels moved 57 yards on their next drive, capped by Jason Vaughan's 8-yard touchdown pass to DeJhown Mandley.

Kevin Thomas' 49-yard interception return with nine minutes left completed the scoring.