DENTON, Texas (AP) _ The John Robinson era at Nevada-Las Vegas began Thursday night. It came at a good time.

In his first game in almost two years, Robinson coached UNLV to a 26-3 victory over North Texas, ending the nation's second-longest Division I-A losing streak at 16 games. It also ended the Rebels' 26-game losing streak on the road.

"It was fun for me because the kids never doubted themselves," Robinson said. "We have a sense of relaxation now that the streak is over. This is a great win in terms of finishing off the past."

Robinson coached 12 years in two stints at Southern Cal (1976-82 and 1993-97) and coached the Los Angeles Rams for nine seasons starting in 1983. Robinson hadn't coached since November 1997, when he was fired by USC.

Robinson started this season with a 104-35-4 record and was 7-1 in bowl games. He won a national championship with USC in 1978.

While at USC, Robinson coached Heisman Trophy winners Charles White and Marcus Allen, 24 All-Americans, 22 NFL first-round draft picks and 86 NFL draft choices.

The Rebels beat North Texas with defense and a late-starting offense.

UNLV held North Texas to 161 yards in the first half, but 64 of those came in the last four minutes, leading to a 24-yard field goal by Jason Ball as time expired. North Texas had a field goal blocked in the second quarter and just 100 total yards in the second half.

"They got us out of our element and we just didn't execute," North Texas coach Darrell Dickey said. "We did not do the things we needed to do to keep drives alive."

Jeremi Rudolph scored the first UNLV touchdown under Robinson, circling left end from 9 yards with 11:21 left in the half.

UNLV had just 136 yards in the first half, but Rudolph helped UNLV blow the game open in the fourth quarter with his 3-yard run capping an 81-yard drive in 13 plays. He finished with 97 yards on 20 carries.

The Rebels moved 57 yards on their next drive, capped by Jason Vaughan's 8-yard touchdown pass to DeJhown Mandley with 31 seconds left.

"I was pleased with the way we managed the game," Robinson said. "We won in the third quarter and acted like a winning team in the fourth quarter. We didn't screw up."

Kevin Thomas' 49-yard interception return with nine minutes left put UNLV up 19-3.