Healthy, focused Dorsey eyes big year

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003 | 9:18 a.m.

Standing just 5-foot-6 and weighing just 163 pounds, UNLV running back Dominique Dorsey might be easily overlooked.

That is until you watch him on the football field.

Lost amid the hoopla of a new starting quarterback in Kurt Nantkes, a potential All-American wide receiver in Earvin Johnson and a new offensive line workhorse in J.C. All-American Joe Critchfield is the fact that Dorsey, the 2001 Mountain West Conference newcomer of the year, is healthy again. And perhaps even more important, more focused.

If there was an offensive MVP during the first eight days of fall practice, diminutive but dangerous Dorsey would get more than his share of votes.

"Dominique has turned it up several notches," UNLV coach John Robinson said. "He's healthy. He's enthusiastic. He's gained some weight. He went through some real trauma last year in terms of his personal life. I think he has made a marvelous return to form as a person and a player."

Dorsey received a medical waiver after leaving school for the spring semester in 2002 to battle what Robinson called at the time depression brought on by family turmoil. He has been arguably the most exciting offensive player in the Mountain West Conference when he's been healthy.

He averaged 34.6 yards on kickoff returns as a true freshman out of Tulare (Calif.) Union High School where he set the state career rushing record with 7,761 yards and 118 touchdowns. He also rushed for 379 yards on just 57 attempts (6.6 avg.) and scored four more rushing touchdowns, including a MWC freshman single-game record 180 yards on 18 carries in a 27-12 victory at Nevada-Reno.

Dorsey was plagued by ankle injuries much of the 2001 season, then withdrew from school the following spring for "personal reasons." He returned in the fall and finished third on the team in rushing with 568 yards on 78 carries (7.3 avg.), including a 73-yard touchdown run against Wyoming that was the longest by a Rebel since 1988.

He had to sit out spring practice again this year, however, when he dislocated his left elbow playing basketball.

"It was bad," he said. "I was kind of slam-dunking and I fell back and dislocated my elbow. But my elbow is definitely not a factor anymore. Actually, it's feeling great. It's been about 20 weeks since that injury occurred. I haven't felt any pain at all."

Dorsey, who was timed at 4.4 in the 40 last spring despite the elbow injury, has gained 10 pounds in the off-season and appears to be much thicker than in the past. He also is donning a new number, 10, which he said brought him luck in high school basketball.

"And I feel faster," he said. "We're more concerned with improving our speed in workouts than building up bigger muscles. I think we're going to have one of the fastest defenses in the country this year."

And besides being healthy again, Dorsey seems much more focused on and off the field.

"Everything's that has happened ... the injuries and everything ... I just want to put behind me now," Dorsey said. "I just want to go in and do the best I can for this team. That's to play hard and also play fast. Everybody out here has been working hard. I feel good about this season. I'm just glad to be out here again."