Rebels lose Palepoi for year

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, Nov. 1, 2001 | 11:04 a.m.

UNLV needs to win its last three games to become bowl eligible. The Rebels (3-5), who host Utah (5-2) on Saturday afternoon at Sam Boyd Stadium, found out Wednesday that the daunting task is going to be even tougher.

All-Mountain West defensive end Anton Palepoi, who leads the team in sacks with 4 1/2, said his Rebel career is over because of a torn right anterior cruciate ligament that will require season-ending surgery.

Palepoi earlier missed two games with what was reported as a torn medial cruciate ligament suffered against Nevada-Reno. He reinjured the knee while making a sack in Saturday's 47-26 victory at Wyoming.

"It's completely gone," Palepoi said. "My ACL is completely torn. We're looking for a date for surgery now. It looks like it will be next week sometime."

Normal rehab time for ACL surgery is about nine months, according to UNLV trainer Kyle Wilson.

"There are several factors that go into it," Wilson said. "The muscle strength in the area before the surgery might help shorten the rehab to about six months."

With the NFL draft scheduled for late April, that could give Palepoi just enough time to get back in shape for a few workouts. But the 6-foot-4, 275-pounder says his goal is be ready even earlier.

"I'm just hoping I'll be ready for the NFL combine," he said.

That would mean early February, or just a little over three months after his surgery.

Wilson and UNLV coach John Robinson said Palepoi could have tried to continue playing with the aid of a knee brace without risk of further injury.

"He's going to go to Los Angeles to get a second opinion," Robinson said. "But (the ACL) is torn and it looks like the best thing for him would be to have the surgery now so he can get ready for next year. It's too bad for him. I feel sorry for him because he's been such a good guy for this program. From a team standpoint, we're fortunate that we have depth at that position."

Senior Steve Newton and converted tight end Trevan Sorensen will take over at Palepoi's left defensive end spot.

Palepoi was a first-team all-MWC choice in 2000 after garnering eight sacks and 12 tackles losses. He had 16 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks in six games this season.

In other news on the Rebel injury front, Robinson said there is "a chance" that freshman tailback Dominique Dorsey, who has practiced sparingly with two sprained ankles this week, will play Saturday. Ditto starting left guard Greg Hulett, who was fitted with a brace for a sprained right knee on Wednesday.

Starting fullback Steven Costa may miss his second straight game with a sprained right big toe.

"I'm worried about him," Robinson said. "His big toe is still bothering him a lot."