Robinson hoping to ride momentum

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, April 25, 2000 | 9:51 a.m.

Keep moving forward.

That could have been the motto for the recently completed spring practice workouts for UNLV's football team.

"I think we met most of our goals," coach John Robinson said. "I think we got started in some areas that I wanted us to do. I feel we're moving forward there."

Where did the Rebels, who finished 3-8 in Robinson's first campaign, show the most improvement?

"How about overall dress code," Robinson joked.

But seriously, folks.

"Offensively, I think we expanded our offense and they came along pretty good with that," Robinson said. "We probably have more speed and talent there now, too. And defensively, I thought we improved our quickness. But we're still counting on some people in the fall to help us out there."

Those newcomers include both first-team JC All-America defensive ends from a year ago, Scott Parkhurst (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) of Long Beach (Calif.) City College and Anton Palepoi (6-4, 260) of Dixie College in St. George, Utah, as well as second team pick Adrian Watson (6-3, 240) of Glendale (Ariz.) Community College.

Palepoi, who originally verbally committed to Utah, attended Saturday's end-of-spring scrimmage at Rebel Park and confirmed that he had signed a letter of intent with the Rebels.

"It was a tough decision," Palepoi said. "The deciding factor was the opportunity to play for Coach Robinson. I've always been a big fan of his going back to his LA Ram days. That was my favorite team."

Palepoi grew up a short drive away from Anaheim Stadium in Garden Grove. He moved from Orange County to Salt Lake City in the eighth grade.

Palepoi said he must pass two summer school classes before he earns his A.A. degree.

"But I'll be done in time to be here for two-a-days," he said. "I can't wait to get out on the field here."

Palepoi's decision to attend UNLV became even more crucial when star 1999 recruit Kawika Sagapolu, a defensive tackle from Cimarron-Memorial High School, flunked out of school earlier this spring.

"He's not playing next fall," Robinson said of Sagapolu, who had maintained he'd be back this fall. "We'll have to sit down and map out a strategy so that Kawika can be reinstated here in the fall academically. But he won't be playing next season."

That means that players like Palepoi and Parkhurst could find themselves lining up inside on some plays.

"Those edge players may have to rotate inside some," Robinson said.

* REBEL NOTES: Robinson said the battle for starting quarterback and tailback positions will carry over into fall camp. ... Most improved players this spring? "I'd say (Anthony) Suggs on defense and (Steven) Costa on offense," Robinson said. "Those two really stuck out." Suggs is a 6-1, 265-pound senior defensive tackle. "He's much quicker than he was last year and his intensity has gone up," Robinson said. Costa, a 6-1, 220-pound sophomore, is backing up senior James Wofford at fullback and H-Back. ... Robinson ran into a familiar face at McCarran Airport on Monday morning after flying back from his grandson's birthday party in Phoenix. USC senior quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst, who played for Robinson for two years, was also in town for a friend's wedding and later stopped by Robinson's Lied Athletic Complex office to visit. ... Backup quarterback Chris Hayward is to undergo back surgery this week to repair a slipped disc. There were no other serious injuries during spring d! rills.