Rebels look to shine in new home

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Sept. 17, 1999 | 9:58 a.m.

Following practice early Wednesday evening, John Robinson decided to take wife Linda on a short detour on their way to dinner.

Destination? Sam Boyd Stadium.

"It looks great," Robinson said. "It looks sensational."

Now imagine what it will look like Saturday night with a near-sellout crowd of more than 30,000 on hand when the unbeaten Rebels (2-0) -- looks strange to see that in print, doesn't it? -- take on undefeated Iowa State (2-0) in UNLV's 1999 home opener.

It will be the first time for the public to get a glimpse at Sam Boyd Stadium since nearly $18 million in renovations were made over the summer, including a new grass field, new seats, a wider concourse with upgraded bathroom and concession facilities, a state-of-the-art scoreboard and the new Air Tower press box and luxury suites.

"It's exciting," Robinson said. "This is, I hope, a step forward in the re-establishment of our program."

It's also a chance for UNLV to do something it hasn't done since 1984 -- win three straight games to open the season.

If the Rebels can do that, they would match their two-year total for victories for the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

"It's an opportunity to play at home and stake our claim," wide receiver Nate Turner said. "We need to establish that this is our house. We spent our first two games on the road, so we haven't been able to defend our territory. It's also the first time to make history at the new stadium. We've got to go out there and play hard."

Iowa State comes to Las Vegas on a high, having defeated in-state rival Iowa, 17-10, last Saturday in Ames, the first time since 1981 the Cyclones had defeated the Hawkeyes at Jack Trice Stadium. Jubilant Iowa State fans tore down the goal posts afterward.

"They're still out there celebrating," star tailback Darren Davis said on Wednesday afternoon.

Davis, younger brother of 1996 Heisman Trophy runnerup Troy Davis, who now plays for the New Orleans Saints, could very well be the best running back UNLV faces this season.

Robinson, who coached Heisman Trophy winners Charles White and Marcus Allen at USC, compared Davis to Dallas Cowboys' star Emmitt Smith. Defensive coordinator Jeff McInerney said he reminded him of USC's all-Pac-10 running back Chad Morton "only stronger."

Davis carried 38 times for 235 yards in the win over Iowa and already has gained 347 yards in just two games.

But Robinson said there will be more to winning Saturday night's game than just stopping Davis.

"It's just playing the whole game," he said. "Their defense is a good defense. It's a veteran unit. There's no unbelievable player on it, but it's a group that hasn't given up much. You don't look anywhere and see a weakness where you go, 'Ooh, we can get that."

* REBEL NOTES: UNLV's record crowd for a home opener is 27,128 set in 1987 against Baylor. The Rebels dropped a 21-14 decision that day ... The school is urging fans to arrive at the stadium early to avoid what could be long lines heading into the parking lot. ... Besides entrances on Tropicana and Russell Road, there is also a newly expanded route into the stadium that can be accessed on Sunset Road (from U.S. 93/95 East) to Burns, which turns into Weisner Road. ... Because of new seating configurations, fans must use portals designated on their tickets to gain access to their seats. ... UNLV Student Ambassadors, a group sponsored by the school's alumni center, will join nearly two dozen sorority members in greeting guests and helping fans find their seats.