Rebels set sights on a bowl

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003 | 8:45 a.m.

It has taken four years but John Robinson finally believes he has the kind of talent on board for UNLV to make a yearly run at the Mountain West Conference title.

When Robinson took over for Jeff Horton after an 0-11 season in 1998, the Rebels had lost 16 consecutive games and were considered one of the worst programs in Division I-A football.

Not anymore.

By all accounts, UNLV had a disappointing and erratic season in 2002, finishing 5-7 overall and just 3-4 in Mountain West Conference play. Yet, the Rebels still managed to win at BYU for the first time in 21 years, 24-3, and ended the season with only the second victory against a ranked team in school history, a 36-33 shocker against No. 13-ranked Colorado State in Fort Collins.

With another strong recruiting class on board and the architect of the CSU upset, junior Kurt Nantkes, back to start at quarterback, Robinson believes they can make a strong run at a bowl game in 2003.

"Our program is now at a level that is consistent with a yearly contender in the league," Robinson said. "This was our best recruiting class. We have the tools to be very explosive. It is being efficient and effective with them that is the key."

And also finding a way to pull out the close game at the end like the Rebels did in 2002 season finale in Fort Collins.

"We will be in a lot of games that will come down to the last minute," Robinson said. "Whether we make the play at the end will dictate how our year will go."

Here's a look at how the 2003 Rebels stack up:

Offense

Nantkes, who was a last-minute replacement for Jason Thomas, earned the respect of his teammates with the dramatic victory at Colorado State and is expected to be a much more efficient passer and on-the-field leader than Thomas was.

"The team has a quiet confidence that Kurt is going to have a great passing year," Robinson said.

One reason for that is an improved receiving corps led by all-MWC pick Earvin Johnson (51 receptions in 2002) and three-year starter Michael Johnson, who has caught a pass in 20 consecutive games. Redshirt freshman Tremayne Kirkland was one of the stars of fall camp and along with sophomore Terry Furlow and freshman Donell Wheaton could give the Rebels a much-needed deep threat.

Another key newcomer is 6-foot-8 tight end Greg Estandia who displayed soft hands in preseason camp and also figures to be a big special-teams contributor when it comes to blocking field goals and PATs.

The strength of the offense, however, will be the running game where Robinson can call on no fewer than four top-notch tailbacks --- senior Larry Croom, junior Dominique Dorsey, senior Deon Burnett and junior college transfer Alvin Marshall --- as well as fullbacks Dyante Perkins and Andrew Faga. All figure to see significant minutes.

"We have to be smart in using them all," Robinson said. "The undisputed strength of our offense is the running backs."

The offensive line, which was undersized and struggled at times in 2002, also should be much improved with the addition of JC All-American Joe Critchfield (6-4, 315) and redshirt freshman Marco Guerra (6-5, 330) at one guard spot and the maturation of sophomore Zach Gorham (6-5, 310) at right tackle. Three starters return including center Dominic Furio, left tackle Matt Williams and left guard Marcus Johnson.

Defense

Junior Jamaal Brimmer returns at strong safety after earning Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year honors in 2002 and should be even more of a force this season as the Rebels incorporate more blitzing schemes.

The strength of the defense is at linebacker where junior Adam Seward, who led the MWC with 133 tackles last season, is joined by junior Ryan Claridge, a former all-MWC pick who sat out the 2002 season because of an abdominal injury. Two other juniors, Zach Bell and Terrence Young, add good depth inside.

The outside linebacker spot will feature two very fast and quick newcomers in JC All-American John Andrews and junior transfer Reggie Butler, a former CIF Division I co-defensive player of the year at prep football powerhouse Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High School. Both run the 40 in a blazing 4.5 seconds.

The defensive line returns three starters including senior Dietrich Canterberry, who had 38 tackles and 2.5 sacks as a junior tackle.

The biggest key for the Rebels this season could be the play of the secondary where sophomore Joe Miklos takes over at free safety and junior Ruschard Dodd-Masters and talented JC transfer Will Tagoai start at corner.

"We have some players who will have to step up," Robinson admitted.

Special teams

Veteran placekicker Dillon Pieffer returns for his senior season and displayed a much stronger leg in preseason camp.

Also back is junior punter Gary Cook, who had 26 kicks downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line last season and is capable of coming up with a long punt in the clutch.

A big focus here in camp centered around the return game. UNLV, which played most of the season without Dorsey and star return man Troy Mason, dropped off dramatically to just 104th in the nation in kickoff returns and 96th in punt returns.

Dorsey, ultra-quick Kirkland and Marshall all are expected to provide significant improvement in the return game this season.

Rebels schedule