Oct. 9, 2000

LAS VEGAS - UNLV punter/kicker Ray Cheetany has been named the Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for the first time in his career, the league announced Monday.

The senior from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, starred in the Rebels' 38-7 victory over in-state rival UNR Saturday. Cheetany punted six times for an average of 45.7 yards per kick. All of his punts went 40 yards or longer, including a long of 58, and three were placed inside the Wolf Pack 20-yard line.

Cheetany, who also kicked off for the Rebels, was perfect on five extra points and booted a 30-yard field goal.

Cheetany, who is the only MWC punter on the inaugural Ray Guy Award watch list, is averaging 41.6 yards per kick this fall. He has hit on five of seven field goal attempts, which more than doubles UNLV's 1999 output.

He is the second UNLV player to earn the award. Former Rebel kick returner Duane "Toy Train" James picked up special teams honors last season after helping his team upset Wyoming.

Last week, UNLV players Jason Thomas (Offensive POW) and Kevin Thomas (Defensive POW) won the squad's first awards of the season.

San Diego State sophomore quarterback Lon Sheriff (317 yards passing, two touchdowns) was named this week's MWC Offensive Player of the Week while Air Force senior linebacker C.J. Zanotti (19 tackles, two fumble recoveries) was tabbed the league's defensive honoree.