Even during this week's Western Athletic Conference call with the media, the Nevada-Las Vegas coach was searching for some positive reinforcement.

"How are you doing, Dave?" Horton asked WAC monitor Dave Chaffin. "One of these times you're going to call, and you're going to be saying congratulations."

The best chance for that is probably Saturday night against the University of Hawaii at Aloha Stadium. The Rebels have dropped nine consecutive games over the last two years, including seven this season.

They have been routed by Tennessee, Air Force, Wisconsin, Colorado State, Wyoming, Nevada and Brigham Young by an average score of 52-17.

After the Rainbows, Horton has to strap on his helmet for Fresno State, Texas Christian, San Diego State and San Jose State.

Only the Spartans fall into the pushover category, but because the Rebels have to travel to San Jose for the last game of the season, even that one is a long shot for Horton.

So, this weekend is it.

If UNLV is to avoid an 0-for-12 season, the Rebels need to be a hit against the Rainbows, something not beyond the realm of possibility.

After all, Hawaii is 1-6, including an 0-4 record in league play. The Rainbows are tied for last place in the Pacific Division with the Rebels.

"They're kind of in the same boat as we are," Horton said of Hawaii. "They've struggled some, but like us, they're trying to build a program.

"At home, they play very confidently. They played Colorado State very well. They beat Boise State. They're a different team at home than they are on the road."

To complicate matters further for Horton, the Rebels are 0-3 away from home this year. In fact, UNLV hasn't won a road game since knocking off New Mexico State in October of 1994.

The Rebels' 48-30 victory in 1979 is the only time they have won at Aloha Stadium in six tries.

"I've only been to Hawaii in March of last year during vacation," Horton said. "I've never been down over there to play.

"I talked to different coaches (BYU's LaVell Edwards and Texas A&M's R.C. Slocum among them) to see how they did things when they went over there. I've put that in our itinerary to try to do some of the good things that helped them."

One of those is arriving early - UNLV touched down last night - in order to adjust to the time difference and the vacation-like atmosphere. On the other hand, most visiting teams this year have stayed at the Turtle Bay Hilton to avoid the perils of Waikiki, but the Rebels are registered at the Outrigger Reef Hotel.

"I'm not worried about our guys taking a vacation," Horton said. "We want to go over there to get a win. We'll get to work out at the stadium (today), then come back early Sunday so it won't hurt our preparation for next week's game with Fresno."

What has hurt UNLV most this season has been its defense. The Rebels are not only ranked last in the league, but are at the bottom of the barrel nationally as well.

They are yielding a staggering 552.9 yards a game, good enough for No. 111 - dead last - in the country. They also are at the bottom in scoring defense (52 points a game), passing defense (188.06 rating) and next-to-last in rushing defense (267.7).

Offensively, the Rebels aren't nearly as anemic. They are No. 13 nationally in passing (279.3) and 56th in total offense (361.3).

Considering Hawaii has its own problems offensively and hasn't been able to stop anybody lately on defense, UNLV has a fair chance to snap the streak.

"Defensively, they do a variety of things," Horton said, "so it's hard to prepare for them. They give you a lot of different looks, so we'll have to be well-schooled."

The University of Hawaii athletic department will receive $435,000 in private donations to help kick off the completion of the athletic/academic center in the Special Events Arena.

It was announced two weeks ago that Panda Travel and former mayor Frank Fasi were donating $50,000 each to the athletic department.

Another $125,000 will be given tonight by Toshio Bob Nagatani, in the name of Hisazo and Chica Nagatani. The gift will come at a formal announcement ceremony at the governor's mansion.

In all, seven donors helped generate the $435,000.