Dec. 7, 2001

LAS VEGAS - Two of UNLV's three most valuable players will return for 2002 as the Rebel football awards were announced as part of the team's annual postseason banquet at the Four Seasons Hotel Friday.

With honors voted on by the UNLV coaching staff, senior All-American cornerback Kevin Thomas earned the squad's defensive MVP award after tying for third in the nation with a school- and conference-record seven interceptions and leading the nation with 213 return yards and three defensive scores. The native of Sacramento, Calif., was announced earlier in the week as the MWC Defensive Player of the Year after setting seven school records in 2001 and becoming UNLV's first-ever three-time all-conference honoree.

A Rebel running back took the offensive honors for the fourth consecutive year as Joe Haro turned in the fourth-best rushing season in school history with 1,107 yards. The junior from Clifton, N.J., posted five 100-yard games en route to finishing 28th nationally in rushing. He also scored 10 touchdowns on the ground, which was fifth best all time, and his 226 yards on just 22 carries at Wyoming was the program's best single-game rushing number since Ickey Woods totaled 265 vs. Pacific in 1987.

UNLV's special teams player of the year award went to junior return man Troy Mason, who will also be back after finishing 15th in the nation in punt returns with a 12.9-yard average. The native of Bastrop, La., also had a team-leading 11 kickoff returns for a 21.2-yard average. He earned MWC Player of the Week on Oct. 15 after averaging 38 yards on three punts, including returning one 52 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the first half.

Other honors handed out Friday included offensive lineman Greg Hulett receiving the $2,000 Rene Arceneaux Scholarship Award, which is given to a player who has demonstrated exemplary improvement in academic progress.

The Bill "Wildcat" Morris Most Inspirational Award, which was the only award voted on by Rebel players, went to offensive lineman Tony Terrell. Senior safety Sam Brandon, a converted wide receiver who led his team in tackles for the second consecutive season, was named the John Robinson Man of the Year, which is an award in its second year and is given to the student-athlete who possesses the highest integrity while aspiring for excellence.

Senior offensive tackle Brandon Bair picked up the Jack Gilmore Coaches Award, which is given to a former walk-on player who excelled on the field, while Peter Tramontanas earned the "Doc" Tobler Senior Award, which is awarded to the final-year player who brings the highest credit to himself and the university.

The three permanent captains, who were voted on by their teammates before the final game of the season, were Tramontanas, senior linebacker Shanga Wilson and senior defensive lineman Ahmad Miller. Also, all 20 Rebel seniors were honored.

2001 UNLV FOOTBALL AWARDS
Most Valuable Player - Offense          Joe Haro, TB, JuniorMost Valuable Player - Defense          Kevin Thomas, CB, SeniorSpecial Teams Player of the Year    Troy Mason, PR, JuniorRene Arceneaux Scholarship Award    Greg Hulett, OL, SeniorJack Gilmore Coaches Award          Brandon Bair, OL, Senior"Wildcat" Morris Most Inspirational     Tony Terrell, OL, JuniorJohn Robinson Man of the Year Award Sam Brandon, FS, Senior"Doc" Tobler Senior Award           Peter Tramontanas, OL, SeniorCaptains Award                          Peter Tramontanas, OL, Senior                                    Shanga Wilson, LB, Senior                                    Ahmad Miller, DL, Senior