Next order of business for Robinson: Win at home

It's been a year of streak-busting for UNLV's football team in 1999.

The Rebels snapped a 16-game losing streak to begin the season at North Texas. That also was the team's first road win in five years.

But there's one big streak long-suffering UNLV fans would like to see end Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium when the Rebels host San Diego State -- a 10-game home losing streak.

The Rebels' last home win came more than two years ago -- Oct. 11, 1997, to be exact -- against TCU. UNLV eked out a 21-19 victory that day.

UNLV has scored just two touchdowns in three home games this year and has been outscored, 105-14.

Sure, the new stadium looks nice. But most UNLV fans wouldn't mind seeing a competive game or two for their hard-earned dollars.

UNLV coach John Robinson agrees.

"I think winning a home game would be most important for our seniors," he said. "But I think it would be disappointing for everybody if we didn't win at least one at home this year.

"We're going to be winning a lot of home games here in the future, but it would be nice to win at least one of these last two games here this year."

It won't be easy.

San Diego State (3-6), coached by former Robinson assistant Ted Tollner, has one of the nation's top defenses led by defensive ends Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Scottie Nicholson and strong safety Rice Curtis. Offensively, the Aztecs have the kind of strong, physical running attack that has caused UNLV's defense lots of problems this season.

Adding to the problem for UNLV is the fact its best offensive player, junior running back Jeremi Rudolph, still isn't close to full speed after injuring his groin while slipping on the sandy Sam Boyd turf on Oct. 23 against BYU.

"Jeremi doesn't look as good in practice this week as he did last week," Robinson said. "That's not good news."

And the Rebels' already young offensive line will be without three starters from last week's Air Force game -- right guard Allen Williams (wrist surgery), center Danny Pacheco (hand) and right tackle Marquez Ologbosele (knee).

"Pacheco and Ologbosele would be used only in an emergency," Robinson said.

Sophomore Shane Wagers will replace Williams at left guard while sophomore Peter Tramontanas gets his first start at center. Junior John Greer, the team's best offensive lineman, will move over from left tackle to take Ologbosele's spot while sophomore Brandon Bair will start at left tackle.

The good news? True freshman quarterback Matt Ray, who completed 10 of 18 passes for 187 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in his Division I college debut at Air Force last week, looked even better in practice this week.

"He's had a good week of practice," Robinson said.

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