Sunday, September 05, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

SEASON OPENER: First test a tough one for Rebels

UNLV 20-point underdogs in road game against 14th-ranked Tennessee

By MARK ANDERSON
REVIEW-JOURNAL

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Giving No. 14 Tennessee a tough game before a national-television audience would be nice, but it wouldn't be enough for UNLV's football players.

They have come to this city just northwest of the Smoky Mountains with the intention of doing more than simply playing well.

The Rebels have come to win.

"We're not down for moral victories," UNLV quarterback Kurt Nantkes said. "We're out to win. If you're not playing this game to win, then you shouldn't be playing it."

Even so, winning will not be easy. A crowd of more than 107,000 is expected at Neyland Stadium for today's 5 p.m. PDT game that will be broadcast on ESPN.

"Most kids have never experienced an environment like this," UNLV coach John Robinson said. "We had a good camp, but like most coaches, we wonder how prepared we are."

Oddsmakers don't give the Rebels much of a chance in the season-opening game for both teams, making them 20-point underdogs. Then again, the Rebels went to Wisconsin last season as 20-point underdogs, but won 23-5 against what was also a No. 14 team.

The Volunteers have referred to that game often.

"Even if we were going to sleep on those guys, all you've got to do is watch last year's game against Wisconsin," Tennessee wide receiver Tony Brown said. "They took them apart on their home field. I can promise you we'll be ready. We were ready a week ago."

UNLV comes in four starters down -- offensive tackle Tyler Crandal (back), defensive end Pete Dunbar (right knee), tight end Greg Estandia (left knee) and punt returner Tremayne Kirkland (right shoulder).

"There's a certain amount of trepidation before the first game," Robinson said. "You don't know how good you are. Unfortunately for us, that's especially the case this year (because of the injuries)."

Fortunately for the Rebels, they face an inexperienced Tennessee team going with two true freshman quarterbacks. The Volunteers start only six seniors, among the fewest under coach Phillip Fulmer, who took over during the 1992 season.

Tennessee never has started a true freshman at quarterback to open the season, but will go with Brent Schaeffer. The other true freshman, Erik Ainge, also is expected to play.

"You kind of look at it as a positive, but then it can really hurt you because you can be expecting them not to do very much and they come out and do a lot," UNLV strong safety Jamaal Brimmer said. "All of the sudden, they're hitting passes, they've got you off guard, they're calling the right plays and they just have that rhythm. What we're trying to eliminate is the rhythm."

UNLV might do that by doing what it does best -- put pressure on the offense with its attacking 3-4 defense.

But this defense will have to prepare for two types of quarterbacks who are trying to follow Casey Clausen's successful career. Schaeffer can run as well as pass. Ainge is a more traditional drop-back quarterback.

"I think our coach watched high school films, but there's only so much you can watch," Brimmer said. "We watched Clausen last year, so there's really nothing on them."

The Rebels are going with their own two-quarterback system, with Nantkes securing the starting job in preseason camp. Shane Steichen also will play.

"It's great to get your confidence back and you get the feeling that the coaches trust you out there," Nantkes said.

Don't expect UNLV's coaches to put all their hopes on Nantkes and Steichen. Robinson remains a run-first coach, and he has plenty of running backs to rely on. The problem might be finding enough carries to distribute among Dominique Dorsey, JaJa Riley, Dyante Perkins and Alvin Marshall.

Tennessee also is expected to rely mostly on its running game, splitting time among Cedric Houston, Gerald Riggs Jr. and Corey Larkins.

The pressure is on the Volunteers to run UNLV out of town, but that doesn't mean the Rebels are here just to make Tennessee look good.

"We're really going in to win the game," Brimmer said.