Tough training camp was message to Rebels

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Aug. 22, 2003 | 9:38 a.m.

If UNLV goes through a third consecutive losing football season in 2003, it won't be because the Rebels took it too easy in training camp.

Far from it, in fact.

The Rebels, who open their 2003 season a week from tonight against Toledo at Sam Boyd Stadium, broke camp after an early workout this morning and won't practice again until Sunday night.

The players say they can certainly use a break after what has easily been the most intense and demanding training camp of John Robinson's five years at UNLV.

"This camp is honestly the roughest one I've been through," senior center Dominic Furio said following the Rebels' final scrimmage on Thursday night at Rebel Park. "Even with the new NCAA rules (limiting two-a-day workouts to every other day)."

But Furio isn't complaining about the hard work, especially on the heels of back to back losing seasons that resulted in records of 4-7 and 5-7.

"It sent a message," he said. "Plus I think we are getting tougher for the season. I know coach Robinson wanted to have a tougher camp than any we've ever had to get us prepared. I'm glad it happened this way."

"Everybody is really drained right now," quarterback Kurt Nantkes said. "Everybody just wants to get home and get a little bit of rest right now. And also get our legs back. We're so tired of hitting each other. We just can't wait to put on the uniform and go out and hit the other team for once."

Robinson told boosters attending a post-scrimmage barbecue Thursday night that he thought the Rebels had their best training camp since he has been at UNLV.

"We've gone through without any major injuries to date which is always big," Robinson said. "Our morale has been good. Our effort has been good. It's been a positive training camp."

Robinson was asked which players improved their stock the most with good training camp performances.

"I would say (freshman offensive guard) Marco Guerra, (tight end) Greg Estandia and (fullback) Dyante Perkins on offense had really big-time camps," Robinson said. "Defensively, probably (JC defensive back) Willie Tagoai. He's done a really good job of moving (from safety) to corner. That's been big. I think he'll start there. (Defensive end) Brian Nicholson, when he has been healthy, has also been good."

Robinson said he wasn't sure if the camp was his toughest at UNLV.

"Maybe," he said. "I don't know if I remember from year to year. But I think it was a pretty intense one."

"I blocked a few kicks in high school, but those were coming off the edge," Estandia said.

All four of Estandia's scrimmage blocks came with him coming up the middle and leaping high into the air.

"I love it," Estandia said. "I've got to give a lot of the credit to the defensive linemen, though. If they don't get that push up the middle, it doesn't matter how tall I am or how high I jump."

Nantkes had 11 completions in 16 attempts for 150 yards, no interceptions and two touchdowns, mostly against the second team-defense. He connected with tight end Steve Vaccaro for a 30-yard touchdown pass and senior wideout David Relf with a 9-yard scoring toss.

"He had a few days where I thought he tried to do too much and was trying to make all the plays," Robinson said. "I thought tonight he did what I had hoped he'd do and be efficient and accurate."

Another indication that Nantkes' back is fine was the fact he walked off the field with 4-year-old son Conner sitting on top of his shoulders.

"I'm healthy and I'm ready to go," Nantkes said.