The 2001 season was supposed to be a glorious one for coach John Robinson and his UNLV Rebels. It was even called the most anticipated football season in the school’s 33-year history.

The Rebels entered the season with their first-ever ranking in the top 25 by Sports Illustrated, a schedule filled with intriguing opponents and national television dates, several NFL prospects and a Heisman Trophy candidate in quarterback Jason Thomas.

It took only four games for glorious to turn into gloomy as the Rebels opened the season with losses to Arkansas, Northwestern, Arizona and BYU. The end result was a disappointing 4-7 record and a fifth-place conference finish.

"We got off to a tough start and we never found a way to make the key plays," UNLV coach John Robinson said. "The team worked hard and wanted to be successful, but I think it got caught in the trap of just assuming the positives from the year before would carry over.

"We were reminded last season how small the margin of error is in winning or losing a football game. This year’s team will have the talent and ability to be successful if it does the little things well."

In 2000, Robinson and the Rebels went 8-5 and defeated Arkansas in the Las Vegas Bowl. Consequently, even more was anticipated in 2001.

"It was not like we were suddenly an awful team," Robinson said. "If we had played the last minute of games better, we would have had a successful season.

"We didn’t do the little things well and didn’t finish. That was the exact opposite of the team before it, so that is obviously something hard to predict."

The 67-year-old Robinson, who guided USC to a national championship in 1978, was rewarded before last season with a contract extension that runs through the 2005 season. He took over the UNLV program in 1999, a year after the Rebels endured a winless season. He immediately took them to three wins the first season and then eight the next before the disappointing campaign in 2001.

Robinson will enter 2002 with a record of 119-55-4, good enough for No. 9 on the career winning percentage list of active college football coaches. There will be no national ranking this preseason, so the Rebels will be back in a familiar place underneath the radar.

"There is a lot of talent around here and this year’s team has the ability to become much better if we accomplish several things," Robinson said. "We have to replace both offensive tackles, a big-time safety and cornerback and that will be challenging for us.

"We have players who have potential to do it but last year on the offensive line and at those two secondary positions we had leadership and high skill. There has to be people to step in on both sides of the line. We have a number of transfers coming in and their contributions are going to be really important."

The future of this team is difficult to predict because Robinson brought in not only several junior college standouts, but also two potential starting blockers from the disbanded program at Cal State Northridge. Also, now eligible after transferring to UNLV are two tailbacks, a linebacker and safety from the Pac-10, Big 12 and SEC.

Robinson has two new coaches on his staff -- Vince Alcalde with the quarterbacks and passing game and David Robinson with the tight ends.

Thomas (6-4, 230), a senior, enters this season with a surgically repaired shoulder. He is also leaner after an off-season conditioning program and the addition of a new quarterback coach should help him with fundamentals.

Last season’s lack of productivity erased Thomas from any Heisman Trophy consideration this preseason. He still became the first 1,000-yard career rushing quarterback in UNLV by adding 481 yards last season. He completed 83-of-194 passes last year for 1,353 yards and eight touchdowns. He was intercepted 12 times.

Backing up Thomas again will be sophomore Kurt Nantkes (6-4, 215), a former pro baseball pitcher who showed promise last year as a freshman, making one start at New Mexico.

Senior tailback "Jersey" Joe Haro (5-10, 195) is the first returning 1,000-yard Rebel rusher since 1985. After suffering a broken leg two years ago at defensive back, Haro switched back to offense and responded with five 100-yard games, including a 226-yard effort against Wyoming. His 100.6 yards-per-game average rated No. 29 nationally.

"Joe Haro had a phenomenal year," Robinson said. "He made a big commitment to having a big season and came through. I know he is the kind of person who can do that again as a senior."

Even though Haro is a Doak Walker Award candidate, he will be pushed by Pac-10 junior transfers Larry Croom (5-10, 205) and Deon Burnett (5-11, 210). Croom once started at Arizona and is a good pass receiver. Burnett, who came from Washington State, will be used as a power back.

Sophomore Dominique Dorsey (5-8, 165) suffered ankle injuries and played sparingly late in the 2001 season. He missed spring practice, but should be back in the fall to add depth. He has been called "phenomenal" by Robinson and was voted MWC Freshman of the Year after averaging 6.6 yards per carry. More depth will come from senior Johnny Graham (6-0, 220) and junior Royce Boone (5-10, 210).

The starter at fullback will be senior Steven Costas (6-1, 225), who ran for 136 yards last season. The backups will be Idaho State transfer Andrew Faga (6-0, 240), a junior, and red-shirt freshman Dyante Perkins (66-1, 220).

Three members of last season’s four-man rotation are back, including junior Michael Johnson (5-10, 190), who led the team with 25 catches for 435 yards. A deep threat, Johnson needs to be more consistent.

Also returning are senior Troy Mason (5-10, 170), who had 19 catches last year, and sophomore Earvin Johnson (6-3, 200), who finished with 12 receptions. Mason was spectacular at times two years ago.

Junior David Relf (6-1, 190), who was Thomas’ favorite target at Dominguez High School, will get some looks this fall, along with former defensive back Toby Smeltzer (5-10, 185), a senior.

Turner led the league in catches, yards and touchdowns in 2000.

The tight end will be senior DeJhown Mandley (6-4, 240), who could be a Mackey Award candidate. He has set career highs in receptions and yards each of his three years (16 for 174 last year) and led the Rebels with three touchdown catches last year.

Backing up Mandley will be transfer Ryan Clifford (6-2, 250), a junior, and red-shirt freshman Michael Freund (6-2, 225), who moves over from running back.

One of Robinson’s biggest chores in 2002 will be replacing four of his five offensive linemen from a year ago.

The only returnee is right guard Tony Terrell (6-4, 310), a senior with 33 career starts, including 28 straight. The Rebels allowed only 12 sacks last season.

The other guard should be sophomore Marcus Johnson (6-1, 300), who played well during spot duty last year. His backups will be junior Joel Menendez (6-3, 275) and senior Ernie Calanche (6-4, 290).

The battle for the starting nod at center will be between junior Dominic Furio (6-3, 295) and former Cal State Northridge starter Carlos Acosta (6-4, 290). Acosta won’t join the Rebels until summer drills.

Another former Cal State Northridge product, senior Keith Kincaid (6-3, 300), went through spring drills with the Rebels and should start at right tackle. On the left, junior Matt Williams , (6-6, 300) will try to turn a red-shirt season into a starting role.

Junior Dillon Pieffer (5-11, 180) returns as the place-kicker. He made 7-of-12 field-goal attempts last year, but missed only two after the third week. He made two field goals of more than 40 yards, including a 49-yarder.

Pieffer made 94 percent of his point-after kicks. The long snapper will be senior Freas and Smeltzer will be the holder.

Not returning are future NFL players Anton Palepoi and Ahmad Miller and super subs Scott Parkhurt and Steven Newton. Along with them the Rebels lost 12 of their 14 quarterback sacks from a year ago.

"We lost a lot, but there is a nice mix of veterans and young guys we have to break in," defensive coordinator Mike Bradeson said. "Obviously when you lose four talented guys, there will be questions of depth. But are there bodies that can get it done this year? Oh yeah."

Senior end Ahmad Briggs (6-4, 230) had the other two sacks last year. He should be a standout this season while senior Trevan Sorensen (6-4, 270), a converted tight end, should start on the other side.

Depth at the ends will come from junior college addition Chris Eagen (6-4, 265), along with talented red-shirt freshman Leon Moore (6-5, 255).

The tackles should be junior Dietrich Canterberry (6-4, 300) and senior Garrett Brassington (6-2, 285). Robinson said Canterberry is one of the most improved players on the team, while Brassington was a valuable backup at the end of last season.

Junior college transfer Shaun Siaki (6-4, 250) has been moved from tackle to end.

Joe Oniwor (6-1, 285), another junior college import, will add depth inside, along with senior Phil Reed (6-3, 270) and junior Jason Ramirez (6-1, 260).

This should be a talented position, even though projected starter Tosh Burrus had to retire because of neck problems.

Moving to the outside will be athletic junior Ryan Claridge (6-3, 250), who finished second on the team in tackles with 71. Claridge forced six fumbles in 2001 to finish second in the nation and just one off the school record for a single season.

The middle linebacker will be sophomore Adam Seward (6-2, 240), who had 60 tackles. On the strong side is former Iowa State player Tyrone Tucker (6-2, 240), a senior who sat out 2001.

Two superstars are gone in cornerback Kevin Thomas and safety Sam Brandon. Thomas was voted an All-American and Bradon led the last two UNLV teams in tackles.

Veteran Jamal Wynn (6-0, 185), a senior, returns at one corner. He will be pushed by Idaho State transfer Michael Clancey (5-10, 170), a junior, and converted running back David Olsen (5-11, 180), a red-shirt freshman.

On the other corner, the starter may not be determined until the first game. The combatants are sophomore Rushard Dodd-Masters (5-11, 175) and junior college transfer Daniel Jones (5-10, 180).

"One of our coaches said our corners will be better this year than last year," Robinson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal during spring practice. "I don't think we quite understand how good Kevin was. But right now there’s a sense of optimism there."

Jones, who came from Fresno (Calif.) City College, has no doubt in his ability to provide immediate help.

"I just give the people what they want," Jones told the Review-Journal. "I’m me. I could probably bring more to the table than he brought. I’m a player. I’m D. Jones. I’m not no Kevin Thomas. I can’t do the things he does. I do the things I do."

The free safety will be former Alabama player Connie Brown (6-2, 200), a senior. He will be backed up by senior Ross Dalton (6-3, 210).

The strong safety will be senior Chamieon Sutton (5-11, 180), a senior and the only player on the team who has made an interception. His backup will be sophomore Jamaal Brimmer (6-1, 205).

Sophomore Gary Cook (5-11, 195) returns after showing improvement throughout last season. He averaged 38.4 yards per kick, and was voted conference special teams player of the week for his effort against UNR.

Mason finished No. 15 nationally last year in punt returns with 12.9 yards per return. He has returned two for touchdowns.

Dorsey took his first kickoff return 87 yards against Northwestern. He fell two attempts short of qualifying for second in the national rankings, but his 10 returns still led to a UNLV single-season record of 34.6-yards per return.

Also returning kicks will be Haro, Croom and Burnett. Croom returned some punts while playing at Arizona.

UNLV’s fourth recruiting class under Robinson included 20 high school and junior college players and two who transferred from the defunct program at Cal State Northridge.

Two players, quarterback Arciaga and wide receiver Jason Rogers (5-11, 190) were originally members of the class of 2001 but did not enter school until January and will be freshmen in the fall.

Arciaga is good-sized passer who was a three-time letterman at Bonita Vista High School outside of San Diego. He helped the Barrons to 9-1 record and league title as a senior. Arciaga threw for 2,000 yards, 15 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He finished his prep career as Bonita Vista’s all-time leader in passing yards, attempts and completions at the school.

Rogers is one of two local products from Bishop Gorman High School to sign with the Rebels last year, along with running back Dyante Perkins (6-1, 220). A four-year letterman who started both ways for the Gaels, Rogers played running back and defensive back in high school.

Robinson has done an outstanding job of bringing in talent, including seven players with Division I-A experience at other schools.

Thomas (USC), Burnett (Washington State), Croom (Arizona) and Harris (USC) transferred directly from their respective schools, while the remaining three came to Las Vegas after stops at junior colleges. Tucker (Iowa State) and Brown (Alabama) sat out last year and will eligible this fall. Joining the team in the spring was former Fresno State quarterback Terry Furlow (6-0, 185), who must sit out 2002.

The 2002 offense should be a good one as 87 percent (2,124 yards) of its 16th-ranked rushing attack returns.

"The backfield is really our strength," Robinson said. "We have experience and quality depth at quarterback, tailback and fullback."

Even though three of the six returning starters on offense are in the backfield, Robinson said the Rebels will not be one-dimensional.

"We’ll have a balanced attack," he said. "We just have to prove that we will be able to block as well as the last two years."

The strength of the defense will be at linebacker.

"We have a lot of young talent all around the positions," Robinson said. "We just have to replace the experience and leadership that our departed seniors brought to the field."

What the Rebels must avoid is another 0-4 start, or anything close.

The schedule is highlighted by a nationally televised visit by Wisconsin, six home games for the first time in six years and a season-ending showdown against league power Colorado State.

A crowd of 42,000 is expected for the Wisconsin game as the Rebels open at home for the first time since 1994. The second week of the season brings Kansas to Las Vegas for the first time in history. It will mark the first time UNLV has opened a season with two consecutive home games since 1992.

Also on the schedule are games at Oregon State, Toledo, BYU, San Diego State, Utah and Colorado State. The other home games are Nevada-Reno, New Mexico, Wyoming and Air Force. There are byes before the Nevada-Reno game and the Colorado State game.

"This is a very challenging schedule again for us both in and out of conference," especially on the road," Robinson said. "However, the two byes do come at what could be opportune times in the season if things go well."

Don’t expect another 4-7 from these Rebels. They should surprise some more folks this year and if the defense comes through could challenge for a championship.