Robinson makes it official: It’s Nantkes

Steve Guiremand

Monday, Aug. 30, 2004 | 10:07 a.m.

Kurt Nantkes had a pretty good idea that he would be UNLV's starting quarterback this Sunday night at Tennessee.

Still, Nantkes, a 6-foot-4 senior from Aurora, Colo., said it felt good to hear the official word from UNLV head coach John Robinson on Sunday.

"Coach just walked up to me and said, 'It's official, you're starting,' " Nantkes said. "That's it. That's all I needed to hear.

"It was never a huge deal or issue," said Nantkes, who beat out up-and-coming sophomore Shane Steichen for the job. "But it's just nice knowing now that the team is mine."

Robinson issued a release on Sunday making the move official. He said he plans on trying to play Steichen, who started two games in 2003 as a true freshman when Nantkes was slowed by a dislocated pubic bone, in every game if the opportunity presents itself.

"I think they both did well," Robinson said. "I feel comfortable playing either one of them. I think they'll both be effective for our offense."

Robinson said he had no set plan on how he'll play Steichen.

"We'll try and play him every game, but I'm not going to spend time trying to have any set schedule or have people trying to figure out what the schedule is," Robinson said. "We'll just take it as it goes."

That was more than fine with Steichen, who took the news in stride.

"Whatever happens, happens," he said. "If I get in there, I'll compete and try and help the team win. As long as Kurt is in there, I'll support him every down. I just want to win."

Nantkes said the prospect of Steichen sharing time with him was not a problem.

"It doesn't bother me at all," he said. "I think Shane is going to be a great player and it just gives defenses that much extra to work on.

"Nothing has really changed. I'm just going to go out here and practice hard and play hard and let things fall into place."

Nantkes acknowledged that Sunday's news was even more gratifying because he had to overcome an injury that caused him to limp through the final month of the 2003 season and all of spring practice.

"I worked too hard to just come in and roll over and give the team to somebody else," Nantkes said. "I'm healthy now and I'm ready to go out there and play like I know I can."

Estandia watched Sunday night's practice on crutches and with the knee in a wrap. An MRI on Saturday showed the small tear.

"Right now I'm shooting for Air Force (on Sept. 18) and working back from there," Robinson said. "(The trainers) are talking two weeks."

Senior Michael Fruend, a converted fullback, will take Estandia's spot at tight end.