November 19, 1998

LAS VEGAS - UNLV senior punter Joe Kristosik has been named as one of 14 semifinalists for the 1998 Mosi Tatupu Award given annually to the nation's top special teams player.

Announced by the Bowl Games of Hawaii, the list of semifinalists includes three players from WAC teams - Kristosik, kick-block specialist Tim Curry of Air Force and punter Aron Langley of Wyoming. Two other punters - Todd Selma of Purdue and Rodney Williams of Georgia Tech -- appear on the list.

Kristosik, a Las Vegas native and graduate of Bishop Gorman High School, currently leads the nation in punting with an average of 46.2 per kick. The All-American candidate has 24 kicks over 50 yards and eight 60 or longer this season. He has twice been named the WAC's Special Teams Player of the Week for the Mountain Division. His final game is Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium vs. TCU. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

The Mosi Tatupu Award was created in 1997. The list will be cut to four finalists in early December and the winner will be announced December 10. The honoree earns an invitation to play in the 1999 Hooters Hula Bowl All-Star Football Classic. The game, which is scheduled for January 24 at Maui's War Memorial Stadium, already has invited Rebel senior defensive end Talance Sawyer.

1998 MOSI TATUPU AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
PLAYER              POS YEAR    SCHOOLAdam Bailey     PK  Senior  MinnesotaKeion Carpenter     DB  Senior  Virginia TechTim Curry       DB  Senior  Air ForceMartin Gramatica    PK  Senior  Kansas StateSebastian Janikowski    PK  Soph.   Florida StateJoe Kristosik       P   Senior  UNLVAron Langley        P   Senior  WyomingDerek Lewis     TE  Senior  TexasChris McAllister    DB  Senior  ArizonaDeltha O'Neal       KR  Junior  CaliforniaTodd Selma      P   Senior  PurdueR. Jay Soward       KR  Junior  USCShevan Wiggins      KR  Senior  NebraskaRodney Williams     P   Senior  Georgia Tech