Dec. 2, 2002
LAS VEGAS - UNLV running back Larry Croom and place-kicker Dillon Pieffer both have been honored by the Mountain West Conference after their contributions to the Rebels' 36-33 upset of No. 13 Colorado State.
Croom, a 5-10, 205-pound junior former transfer from the University of Arizona, was named MWC Co-Offensive Player of the Week after running for 222 yards on 20 carries (11.1 YPC average), which was the eighth-best single-game total in school history. His day included a three-yard touchdown and four rushes of 24 yards or longer (59, 57, 26, and 24) all of which led to Rebel touchdowns. He gained 120 yards on just nine carries in the pivotal fourth quarter and marked his second 100-yard effort of the season. The effort pushed Croom to second on the team this season with 605 yards on the ground and a 7.1 YPC average.
Croom, who joined UNLV QB Jason Thomas in winning the league's offensive award this season, had to share this week's honor with New Mexico freshman runner DonTrell Moore. Moore rushed for 176 yards on 28 carries and accounted for five touchdowns (three rushing and two receiving) to help the Lobos earn their second bowl bid since 1961 with a 49-20 win over Wyoming.
Pieffer, a 5-11, 180, junior from Colorado Springs, earned his first MWC Special Teams Player of the Week award after scoring six points against the Rams and tying a 14-year-old school record. Pieffer hit his only field goal attempt, which gave his team a 30-22 lead in the fourth quarter, and nailed his first three extra-point attempts to push his streak to 45 consecutive conversions, which tied the UNLV record set by Jim Cook in 1986-88. Pieffer, whose final attempt of the season was blocked, also kicked off and forced two touchbacks. With Pieffer's final-week win, UNLV is now the only school in the MWC that has had at least one winner in all three categories during all four years of the league's existence.
New Mexico junior linebacker Billy Strother (career-high 12 tackles and three sacks in the win over Wyoming) was named this week's defensive honoree.
UNLV's 2002 MWC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Dec. 2 Larry Croom, RB Co-Offensive Dillon Pieffer, PK Special TeamsNov. 4 Jason Thomas, QB OffensiveOct. 21 Jamaal Brimmer, DB DefensiveOct. 7 Tyrone Tucker, LB Defensive
