Furio hopes to be center of attention

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2002 | 10:55 a.m.

Dominic Furio spent the off-season preparing for his expected battle with Cal State Northridge transfer Carlos Acosta for the starting UNLV center job.

As it turns out, the fight was over before it started.

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Acosta, who looked impressive in two days of workouts with Rebels newcomers last week, left camp the night before veterans such as Furio reported. Acosta hasn't been seen or heard from since.

"We've talked to his relatives who have said (Acosta) isn't dead or anything," UNLV coach John Robinson said. "But we still don't know why he left. It's a mystery."

Furio, a 6-3, 295-pound junior from San Pedro, Calif., said he was looking forward to the competition with Acosta. Though listed No. 1 on the depth chart after spring practice, he says he still must beat out senior long snapper Eddie Freas to earn the starting center job that opened with the graduation of Peter Tramontanas.

"I knew (Acosta) was going to be competition," Furio said. "But I think competition makes a better player out of you. And even though he's gone now, I still have Eddie Freas on my butt pushing me."

Furio knows he has some big cleats to fill. The hard-nosed Tramontanas was an honorable mention all-conference selection the last two seasons.

"Pete was a helluva player," Furio said. "You learn so much playing behind a guy like that. Now that he's gone, I've got to step up and fill his shoes."

Playing center at the college level is much more than just snapping the ball to the quarterback and blocking a nose guard.

"I think the mental part is actually more demanding," Furio said. "You do the line checks and call out which linebackers we're working too. But I've got that down, though."

Robinson said Furio is a tough, competitive player.

"He's the kind of guy you look for in the offensive line," Robinson said. "I wish he had a year of experience under his belt. How quickly he gains that experience will be very important."

Furio will receive his starting baptism under fire. The Rebels open the season against Wisconsin on Aug. 31 at Sam Boyd Stadium. Though the Badgers lost Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Wendell Bryant to the NFL, Barry Alvarez's teams are known for their strong and physical blitzing defenses.

"I've lived for this moment for three years," Furio said. "I'm ready to go."