Sept. 22, 2003
LAS VEGAS - Another week, another two Mountain West Conference honors for the UNLV football team. After downing Hawaii 33-22 on national television Friday, the 3-1 Rebels received their fifth and sixth league awards just a month into the season.
Junior cornerback Ruschard Dodd-Masters was named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career after turning in a career-best -- and game-changing -- performance against the pass-happy Warriors. The native of Richmond, Calif., totaled 10 tackles (all solo), forced two fumbles, recovered another fumble, which he returned 22 yards and eventually led to a tying touchdown, and broke up one pass in the victory.
Also, UNLV senior place-kicker Dillon Pieffer was named MWC Special Teams Player of the Week after tying two school records against UH. The native of Colorado Springs became the first Rebel since 1993 to kick four field goals in a single game by hitting from 45, 43, 39 and 20 yards out. His late attempt at a record fifth three-pointer bounced off the upright. Pieffer, who also kicked off effectively, was perfect in three extra-point attempts as well. His 15 points on the night tied Nick Garritano's single-game scoring mark for a UNLV kicker, which was set vs. Cal State Fullerton in 1992. Pieffer also won an MWC award on Dec. 2, 2002.
Air Force quarterback Chance Harridge (117 yards rushing and 79 passing in win over Wyoming) was named offensive player of the week.
UNLV has now won both the defensive and special teams player of the week in three of the last four weeks. Incredibly, six different Rebels have won half of the 12 weekly awards handed out by the league this fall.
The six winners already tied the program high (set in 2000) since the MWC started in 1999. The school's all-time record for most players of the week was set in 1994 when the Rebels earned seven Big West Conference honors.
2003 UNLV MWC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOREES
Sept. 22 Ruschard Dodd-Masters, DB (DEFENSE), Dillon Pieffer, PK (SPECIAL TEAMS)
Sept. 15 Jamaal Brimmer, DB (DEFENSE), Gary Cook, P (SPECIAL TEAMS)
Sept. 1 John Andrews, LB (DEFENS), Greg Estandia, TE (SPECIAL TEAMS)
