Rebels plan scrimmage Saturday under the lights

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Aug. 16, 2002 | 9:51 a.m.

Just two weeks before its long anticipated season opener against Wisconsin, the UNLV Rebels will hold a scrimmage at Sam Boyd Stadium Saturday night.

The event, including parking, is free and open to the public. Gates will open at 6 p.m. with the squad expected to take the field around 7 p.m. for the scrimmage.

"It will be as intense as we can make it," Rebel head coach John Robinson said. "We want to make it as game-like as we can. We want to work on the game management types of things like substitutions, clock management and different game situations, stuff like that."

Robinson said he hadn't decided how many plays the scrimmage would last.

"That will depend on injuries and things," he said.

Three key UNLV offensive newcomers, running backs Larry Croom and Deon Burnett and wide receiver David Relf, are eager to strut their stuff under the lights at Sam Boyd.

"I'm definitely looking forward to it," said Croom, a transfer from Arizona. "We got a chance to play there in the spring and I was excited about that. But this will be more like a game and it's closer to our opener."

"It's getting close to Wisconsin," said Burnett, a transfer from Washington State. "After having a year off, this is big for me."

"Two weeks later and Wisconsin will be on that field, so you know the adrenalin will be up," said Relf, who has shined at camp.

Fans can pick up free schedule magnets and posters at the event. Players will be available for autographs after the scrimmage.