Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004 | 9:10 a.m.
UNLV quarterback Kurt Nantkes has limped through games with what would eventually be diagnosed as a dislocated pubic bone. He has taken his share of blindside hits from blitzing linebackers, and he has had to face the media after throwing an interception in a tough loss.
But Nantkes, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior from Aurora, Colo., said that's nothing compared to what he went through over the weekend.
"It's the hardest thing I've ever had to do," Nantkes said of missing his team's Senior Day 53-45 triple overtime loss to Wyoming at Sam Boyd Stadium. "First to not be able to participate in the game, and then to have to be at home watching it."
Nantkes, who started six games for the Rebels this season but had been replaced by sophomore Shane Steichen as the starting quarterback two weeks earlier, said he still wasn't sure whether he will be able to play in UNLV's final two games at Colorado State on Saturday and at San Diego State on Nov. 20.
The school issued a press release before Saturday's loss blaming his absence on "family issues." Nantkes said Monday that it's a "compilation of things. It's not just family issues and it's not just football issues. It's hard to say anything more than that.
"I've been taking care of a lot of stuff. It's been pretty hectic. Right now it doesn't look like I'll be back out there (for tonight's practice). It's a day-by-day decision. There are both football and non-football issues that I still have to address."
UNLV coach John Robinson said Monday before his weekly quarterback luncheon that the decision on whether to return is Nantkes' to make.
"I have kind of left the door open for him," Robinson said.
Robinson has hinted in recent weeks that Nantkes reinjured his pelvic area this year in UNLV's second game at Wisconsin, which has hindered his performance this season. He has completed 62 of 128 passes for 800 yards but has thrown just four touchdowns compared to seven interceptions.
"If he were to have gotten well, which is always questionable, he would have played in the game Saturday," Robinson said. "Then he had some issues at home that are pretty darn serious. It's a combination of those things. ... Kurt is a great guy and I love him."
Nantkes said: "I appreciate that Coach (Robinson) has left the door open for me. But right now I just don't know if I'll be able to come back. It just depends on how things go."
Nantkes, married and the father of two young children, celebrates his 25th birthday on Friday. Coincidentally, his finest hour as a Rebel came two years ago at Colorado State when he directed UNLV to a 36-33 upset of the 13th-ranked Rams.
Whether he makes a return visit this weekend, however, is still anybody's guess.
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