Robinson wants ‘D’ to force issue

Steve Guiremand

Monday, Sept. 16, 2002 | 9:28 a.m.

John Robinson has been a head coach at the college and professional level for 25 years. Yet the UNLV head coach can't recall a streak like the one his Rebels are in.

After three games, UNLV's defense has forced exactly zero turnovers.

That's right. Zilch. Nada.

"I don't ever remember having a team go that long without creating a turnover," Robinson said. "It's definitely a surprise to me. Evidently we've run into a number of efficient teams."

Last year UNLV's defense forced 26 turnovers or takeaways -- 15 fumbles and 11 interceptions. The Rebels turned the ball over 28 times with 15 lost fumbles and 13 interceptions to finish minus two in turnover ratio.

This year UNLV has turned the ball over six times, including five in the first half of the season opener against Wisconsin. Three of the turnovers have been interceptions thrown by quarterback Jason Thomas.

Forcing turnovers is especially key for a team with an offense that is struggling like UNLV's. Recovering a fumble or getting an interception in the opposition's territory can give a team valuable field position.

"It's been that kind of routine for us this year," Robinson admitted. "We start out with bad field position which really limits what you can do on offense."

Saturday's 47-17 loss at Oregon State is a good example.

The Rebels had seven first-half possessions and started three on their own 20 and another on their 19. The best position was at their own 28.

Meanwhile, Oregon State's worst field position for its seven first half drives was its own 33. The Beavers started at midfield following a safety and at the UNLV 49 following a short punt. Both series resulted in touchdowns.

"It would definitely help us to start getting some turnovers and give our offense a short field to work with," Robinson said.

"There were a number of problems," he said. "There were quite a few blown assignments. One time there would be a good throw, another time we'd mess up."

Robinson was asked if there might be some changes in the secondary for this week's game at Toledo.

"Don't know yet," he said. "I'm not ready to make that decision yet."

"It felt like old times," said Burnett, who rushed for 974 yards as a freshman at Washington State in 1999. "The first carry I had I was a little hesitant, but after that it was like same-old, same-old."

Burnett said he still has a lot of rust to work off after sitting out last season.

"Sometimes I still don't know what I'm doing, but it's going to eventually come back to me. The more carries I get, the more it'll become second nature again out there."

Burnett played against Oregon State's 2000 squad which embarrassed Notre Dame and said he considered the 2002 version to be in the same class.

"They're pretty much alike," Burnett said. "I knew they'd be real fast and flying to the ball. They just played a good game defensively."

Toledo, coming of a tough 31-21 loss at Minnesota, opened as a seven-point favorite and has already been bet up to 7 1/2 points.