Nov. 27, 2000

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Two UNLV football players have been honored by the Mountain West Conference for their part in Saturday's 31-24 Rebel victory at San Diego State, the league announced Monday.

Senior cornerback Amar Brisco earned MWC Defensive Player of the Week honors after his 72-yard interception return for a touchdown with less than a minute remaining proved to be the winning play to keep UNLV's bowl hopes alive.

Brisco's pick - which was the longest for the school since 1991 and the second-longest in league history -- was his second of the season and led to his second career score. The Los Angeles native also added a tackle for loss and two pass breakups vs. the Aztecs and stands third in the MWC in passes defended with 12 breakups and two interceptions.

Senior wide receiver Nate Turner was tabbed MWC Offensive Player of the Week after posting career highs with 11 receptions and 158 yards. The catch total tied for the third-highest single-game mark in school history and tied for second-most in league history. Turner's day included a 16-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter to pull his team to within 21-14 heading into halftime. The Compton, Calif., product leads the Rebels with 61 receptions for 882 yards and nine touchdowns. He is the first UNLV receiver to earn a conference player of the week nod since Randy Gatewood in 1994.

While Brisco and Turner both won the award for the first time, BYU kicker Owen Pochman was named the MWC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second consecutive week and fourth time in his career. With 13 points vs. Utah, the senior finished his career as the Cougars' all-time scoring leader with 332 points.

This marked the final week of conference awards. UNLV's other award winners this season were quarterback Jason Thomas on Oct. 2, defensive back Kevin Thomas on Oct. 2 and kick returner Troy Mason on Nov. 13.