Nov. 14, 2000

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - UNLV punt returner Troy Mason was named the Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday after his 84-yard punt return for a touchdown to lead the Rebels to an 18-14 victory over league rival New Mexico last weekend.

Mason, a sophomore from Bastrop, La., posted the longest punt return for a TD in the MWC this season and the second-longest in league history. He leads the conference in punt returns and ranks seventh nationally with a 17.4 yards-per-return average.

Mason becomes the fourth Rebel this season to earn the league's Player of the Week honors and the second special teams player to do so. Quarterback Jason Thomas and cornerback Kevin Thomas were honored on Oct. 2 following UNLV's win over Air Force while punter Ray Cheetany picked up the special teams nod on Oct. 9.

Air Force's Nate Beard was chosen as the Offensive Player of the Week (149 yards rushing, three touchdowns) and Utah's Andy Bowers claimed Defensive Player of the Week kudos (Seven tackles, two sacks, one PBU).