Rebels to meet Hawaii

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, March 14, 2000 | 9:42 a.m.

When the University of Texas last week decided to pay a $100,000 penalty for pulling out of its game at the University of Hawaii next fall, Rainbows coach June Jones didn't mince any words.

"The bottom line is I think they just don't want to play us," Jones said. "They've got an opportunity to get beat and nothing to gain.

"We'll play somebody that wants to play us that isn't afraid."

That somebody turns out to be UNLV.

The two schools agreed to a two-game series on Monday beginning with a Dec. 2 game this year at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. The Rainbows will travel to Sam Boyd Stadium for a game on Sept. 20, 2003.

UNLV is 4-10 against the Rainbows with the most recent meeting coming on Sept. 20, 1997, when the Rebels garnered a 25-15 WAC win at Sam Boyd Stadium. UNLV's last trip to Hawaii was on Oct. 10, 1996, when the Rainbows won 38-28.

Hawaii is coming off the biggest turnaround in NCAA history, going 9-4 and winning the Oahu Bowl over Oregon State after an 0-12 campaign in 1998.

"I see it as a chance for two up-and-coming programs to meet," UNLV coach John Robinson said. "It really benefits both schools because it is at a time of the year that will garner more national attention."