Kick returner Kirkland out for Tennessee

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Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004 | 10:29 a.m.

Steve Guiremand

Sophomore Tremayne Kirkland, a preseason all-conference pick as a punt returner and a competitor for a starting job at wide receiver, will miss UNLV's Sept. 5 season opener at Tennessee because of a shoulder injury suffered in Saturday night's scrimmage.

It was thought that he might be able to return to practice in a week but it now appears that it could be longer.

"He's going to Los Angeles to get another opinion," UNLV coach John Robinson said. "It might be more serious than we thought."

Kirkland's 12.6-yard punt return average led the Mountain West Conference in 2003.

Senior running back Dominique Dorsey, junior running back Alvin Marshall and sophomore wide receiver Donell Wheaton are among the candidates to replace Kirkland on punt returns.