Sept. 16, 2003

LAS VEGAS - UNLV junior strong safety Jamaal Brimmer's career performance in Saturday's 23-5 upset win over then-No. 14 Wisconsin earned him a major honor Tuesday.

The Las Vegas native was named this week's recipient of the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week, which is voted on by a panel from the Football Writers Association of America.

Brimmer, who picked up his second career Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week award Monday, returned a fumble 55 yards for a touchdown, totaled 11 tackles, two quarterback sacks, one forced fumble and hauled in his first two career interceptions. He finished with 120 total return yards in helping the Rebels turn five Badger turnovers into 20 points. In fact, Wisconsin was held without an offensive touchdown for the first time since 1995.

Brimmer, a preseason second team All-America selection by Athlon and Phil Steele preview magazines, has also been tabbed player of the week by SI.com, College Football News and the New York Daily News.

The graduate of Durango High School is on the Watch List for the 2003 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which will be presented on Dec. 8 in Charlotte, N.C., by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club. He also is on the Watch List for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes annually to the nation's top defensive back.