Coaches hope meeting inspires team

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.

UNLV's football team practiced briefly Monday night for the first time since Saturday night's disappointing 38-21 loss at Toledo. But the main order of business took place afterward.

That's when head coach John Robinson, who said he had been ashamed of his team's play and his coaching at Toledo, spoke to his squad for about 30 impassioned minutes in the Lied Auditorium.

"We're just trying to deal with our business internally," Robinson said when asked about went on in the meeting.

Several players hugged and exchanged handshakes as they quietly left the auditorium.

"It really was an inspirational meeting," center Dominic Furio said. "If we can't get it going after that, I don't think we'll be able to."

"It was a team issue," quarterback Jason Thomas said. "Every man knows what they need to do. There's really nothing that needs to be said."

With that, Robinson waved Thomas away from a reporter.

Can you say circle the wagons?

The Rebels (1-3) have a bye this week before hosting revitalized in-state rival Nevada-Reno (2-1) Oct. 5 in the Battle for the Fremont Cannon.

"We've got to pull together," Furio said. "It's a must-win situation for us."

Robinson initially had planned to practice Monday-Wednesday this week before giving the Rebels a four-day weekend. But he said Monday night that the Rebels would practice at least through Thursday this week.

Dominic Furio laid on the hard Astroturf at the Glass Bowl for several minutes before being helped off with an ankle and knee injury. But the hard-nosed junior from San Pedro, Calif, said he could be back to practice as early as Thursday.

"It's a strained MCL (ligament)," Furio said. "When I first went down I thought that it was really bad because of the way it felt. But when I got up and walked on it a little bit it didn't feel as bad as I thought it was."

UNLV trainer Kyle Wilson said starting fullback Steven Costa (strained calf muscle) and starting cornerback Jamal Wynn (sore knee) should be ready to play in next week's game against the Wolf Pack.

First, Nantkes' young son, Connor, lost dad's keys while waiting for him to shower after a practice. Then on Thursday, Nantkes checked into a hospital with severe stomach pain that was first thought to be appendicitis.

"I don't have any health insurance, so for me to pay to go to the hospital you know the pain was really bad," Nantkes said.

The ailment was diagnosed as gastritis and Nantkes was given several medications.

Nantkes felt well enough on Friday to join the Rebels on their flight to Toledo. He played the entire fourth quarter, completing 8 of 16 passes for 138 yards, one touchdown and one interception that was returned 31 yards for a touchdown by Rockets defensive back Keon Jackson.

"It's feeling a lot better now," Nantkes said.

However, Nantkes still hasn't found his keys.