Saturday, August 28, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Kirkland's injury leaves Rebels hole at punt returner

Dorsey, Wheaton are candidates to fill spot

By MARK ANDERSON
REVIEW-JOURNAL

UNLV sophomore Tremayne Kirkland led the Mountain West Conference last season with a 12.6-yard punt return average, but he might miss this season because of a right shoulder injury that he suffered in last Saturday's scrimmage. Photo by JANE KALINOWSKY/REVIEW-JOURNAL

A potentially season-ending injury to Tremayne Kirkland has forced UNLV to scramble to find a punt returner.

The Rebels have turned to sophomore Donell Wheaton and senior Dominique Dorsey to replace Kirkland, who led the Mountain West Conference with a 12.6-yard return average last season.

Although Dorsey has never fielded a punt in a UNLV game, he might seem to be the obvious choice because of his 23.9-yard career average as a kickoff returner.

But the danger is overworking the 5-foot-7-inch, 170-pound Dorsey, who also is the Rebels' starting tailback.

For that reason, Wheaton might handle most of the punt returns. The 6-foot, 185-pound wide receiver will see his first serious playing time this season, and his inexperience could be a problem at punt returner.

But if UNLV needs to make sure a punt will be caught in a key situation, Dorsey said, the team can count on him.

"I've been working on punt returns since I got here with coach (John) Jackson," Dorsey said. "He's been having me catch punts. It's definitely an unfortunate situation when Tremayne went down, but it's time to step up and I'm ready to step up."

Kirkland, a sophomore, injured his right shoulder in last Saturday's scrimmage and will miss the Rebels' Sept. 5 opener at Tennessee. He will be further evaluated Monday in Los Angeles to determine if he suffered ligament damage that might threaten his season.

Dorsey will again return kickoffs, joined by sophomore running back Erick Jackson (5-6, 180), who returned three last season for a 17.3 average.

UNLV special teams face another question mark at place-kicker. Redshirt freshman Sergio Aguayo (6-1, 200) boasts an impressive high school resume, having made 40 of 50 field goals at San Jacinto (Calif.) High, including kicks of 55 and 57 yards.

But how will he respond to Division I-A competition -- particularly Tennessee's treacherous, 104,079-seat Neyland Stadium?

"It's really exciting," Aguayo said of the opener. "It really pumps me up for the season."

Aguayo will concentrate on field goals and extra points, and sophomore Hubi Schulze Zumkley (6-3, 230) will handle kickoffs.

Senior Gary Cook (6-1, 200) returns for his fourth season as the punter. After two mediocre seasons, he averaged 43.4 yards last year, second in the Mountain West. Cook had 26 punts of at least 50 yards and placed 22 inside the 20-yard line.

"I think he's an exceptional punter," coach John Robinson said.

• NOTES -- Senior Kurt Nantkes had been tentatively listed as the No. 1 quarterback all preseason. His standing became official Friday with the release of UNLV's depth chart for the season opener. But coaches also plan to play sophomore Shane Steichen. ... Sophomore Ernest Gordon (6-1, 170) won a starting cornerback spot over junior Charles Ealy (5-11, 200). ... The tailbacks are listed, in order, as Dorsey, junior JaJa Riley, Jackson and senior Dyante Perkins. ... Sophomore Chris Bowser will start at right tackle. ... Senior tight end Greg Estandia underwent an MRI exam Friday on his sprained left knee. The results might not be known until Monday, and his status for the Tennessee game is uncertain. Junior tight end Michael Freund will start if Estandia can't play.