Friday, Sept. 3, 2004 | 10:46 a.m.
UNLV defensive coordinator Mike Bradeson is no stranger to Neyland Stadium and its 100,000-plus orange-clad fans.
In fact, Bradeson made his Rebels coaching debut as linebackers coach on UNLV's only other trip to Knoxville in 1996.
It's a trip that Bradeson would just as soon forget. Quarterback Peyton Manning led the Vols to a 35-3 halftime lead en route to a 62-3 victory.
"We were totally outmanned," Bradeson said. "It's one of those games you'd rather not think about."
As if getting thrashed by the Volunteers wasn't bad enough, Bradeson also lost his wallet on the trip.
"I left it at the hotel," he said. "I didn't hear anything for about three months and then all of a sudden I got my wallet back. And the amazing thing is that it still had everything in it."
With seven starters back, led by All-American safety Jamaal Brimmer on a defense that forced a Mountain West Conference-high 35 takeaways in 2003, Bradeson believes the Rebels are in position to put up a much better fight this time around. UNLV opens its 2004 season on Sunday night in Knoxville, Tenn., in a game that will be nationally televised by ESPN2. The Vols are 20-point favorites.
"We have a much better football team here now than we did eight or nine years ago," Bradeson said. "And I think they're excited about the opportunity to play in such a great atmosphere as they have there. The fans there are great. It's just going to be a sea of orange."
Outside linebacker Reggie Butler, walking off the Rebel Park practice field earlier this week, said: "I can't wait. This is what it's all about, playing in front of 108,000 people on national TV."
UNLV head coach John Robinson has a lot of experience playing before crowds of 100,000 fans from his USC days playing against Notre Dame and UCLA in the Coliseum as well as coaching in the Rose Bowl. But even at 69, Robinson admits he still gets goosebumps taking the field in front of such a large turnout.
"I don't think you ever get used to that," Robinson said. "There is a tingling feeling, and it's a great feeling.
"It can be a wonderful experience, and it can be an intimidating experience. You can have a 6-foot putt to win the Masters, and it can be the greatest opportunity or it can be the worst kind of experience. We get to choose"
Tennessee is 13-0 all-time in games against Mountain West Conference opponents. All but the 2000 Wyoming game were played in Knoxville. They played that one in Nashville, Tenn.
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