May 10, 2006
LAS VEGAS - UNLV football had three players named preseason All-Mountain West Conference by Sporting News as part of its preview issue, which will hit newsstands next month.
Senior defensive lineman Howie Fuimaono (Bonita Vista, CA), junior linebacker Beau Bell (Tustin, CA) and junior place-kicker Sergio Aguayo (San Jancinto, CA) were all members of the publication's preseason first team.
In addition, former USC transfer quarterback Rocky Hinds (Los Angeles) was tabbed the league's preseason offensive newcomer of the year.
Sporting News also released its national position rankings on Wednesday and Aguayo is listed as the No. 9 kicker in college football. The Lou Groza Award candidate was a two-time MWC Special Teams Player of the Week honoree last fall after he booted a pair of game-winning field goals, including a dramatic 52-yarder vs. San Diego State.
Bell is the No. 16 outside linebacker after the 2005 second team All-MWC honoree finished fourth in the league with 92 tackles and was the conference defensive player of the week on Oct. 10.
Fuimaono is listed as the No. 20 defensive tackle after the big run-stuffer was voted UNLV's Defensive MVP a year ago.
UNLV opens its 2006 season at home vs. Idaho State on Sept. 2. Season tickets are on sale now by calling (702) 739-FANS or logging on to unlvtickets.com.
SPORTING NEWS 2006 PRESEASON ALL-MWC TEAMOFFENSEWR Johnny Walker, Colorado StateWR Brian Hernandez, UtahTE Jonny Harline, BYUT Herbert Taylor, TCUT Robert Turner, New MexicoG Josh Day, Colorado StateG Dallas Reynolds, BYUC Nick Allotta, Colorado StateQB John Beck, BYURB Curtis Brown, BYURB Kyle Bell, Colorado State
DEFENSEE Chase Ortiz, TCUE Tommy Blake, TCUT Howie Fuimaono, UNLVLB Cameron Jensen, BYULB Jason Phillips, TCULB Beau Bell, UNLVLB Joe Martin, San Diego StateCB Chris Sutton, Air ForceCB Robert Herbert, Colorado StateS Marvin White, TCUS Eric Weddle, Utah
SPECIALISTSK Sergio Aguayo, UNLVP Derek McLaughlin, BYUKR Johnny Walker, Colorado State
PLAYERS OF THE YEAROffense: John Beck, QB, BYUDefense: Eric Weddle, SS, Utah
NEWCOMERS OF THE YEAROffense: Rocky Hinds, QB, UNLVDefense: Joe Faifili, T, Utah
