Rebels spring into action on backup field

Steve Guiremand

Monday, April 1, 2002 | 9:31 a.m.

UNLV head coach John Robinson said he wants his squad to focus on fundamentals and details when spring football practice begins on Tuesday afternnoon.

The first detail the team needs to address is where to hold spring practice.

The school's $1 million artificial turf practice field at Rebel Park is not finished yet and likely won't be available until sometime next week. So the Rebels will work out on a nearby intramural field on Tuesday and Thursday and possibly Saturday and Sunday as well.

"We may work out at Sam Boyd Stadium or a local high school on the weekend," Robinson said. "We haven't decided yet. Or we may work out all four of those days on the intramural field."

The school's new AstroPlay turf is expected to be completly installed by April 10.

"We're thrilled with the whole process," Robinson said. "It should really be nice when it's finished."

Once the new surface is installed, the Rebels should have plenty of things to practice on it.

The Rebels finished a disappointing 4-7 in 2001 after stunning Arkansas in the 2000 Las Vegas Bowl.

Senior quarterback Jason Thomas, the object of a national media blitz before last season, struggled with fundamentals and the effects of off-season shoulder and ankle surgeries. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound lefty from Compton, Calif., completed just 83 of 194 passes for 1,353 yards, eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also finished second on the squad in rushing with 481 yards on 107 carries (4.5 avg.).

"Everybody on the team will be focusing on fundamentals and details this spring," Robinson said. "Not just Jason. It's something we feel every player needs to focus on this spring if we are to improve."

The offensive line, which loses senior stalwarts Peter Tramontanas at center, left tackle Brandon Bair, guard Greg Hulett and right tackle Shane Wagers, also must be rebuilt.

The defensive line also loses a couple of key starters in left end Anton Palepoi and tackle Ahmad Miller, both of whom figure to be drafted by the NFL in a couple of weeks, as well as key backups Steve Newton, Scott Parkhurst and Adrian Watson at end.

Perhaps the biggest area of concern entering the spring will be trying to come up with replacements for Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Thomas at cornerback and leading tackler and team defensive MVP Sam Brandon at free safety.

"I don't know if we understand just how big a role Kevin Thomas played in our defense," Robinson said. "It wasn't just all the big plays he made for us, but also the deterent. People just stayed away from him."

One of the more interesting competitions should come at tailback where senior Joe Haro (218 carries, 1,107 yards, 10 TDs) will be pushed by talented transfers Larry Croom (5-10, 209), who started much of his first two years at Arizona, and Deon Burnett (5-11, 210), who rushed for 974 yards and 12 touchdowns as a true freshman at Washington State in 1999.

"We look good there," Robinson said.

One running back who won't be taking part in spring practice is 5-6 speedster Dominique Dorsey, the 2001 Mountain West Freshman of the Year, who recently withdrew from school and returned home to Tulare, Calif., to clear up some personal problems. Robinson said he is hopeful Dorsey, who averaged 34.6 yards per kickoff return last fall, will be back for summer school and eligible to play in the fall. If not, Dorsey will redshirt.