June 19, 2006

LAS VEGAS - UNLV defensive lineman Howie Fuimaono (Chula Vista, Calif./Bonita Vista HS) is one of 54 standout players on the official 2006 Outland Trophy Watch List, which was released by the Football Writers Association of America on Monday.

Named after former Penn great John Outland, The Outland Trophy has been awarded to the best offensive or defensive lineman in college football since 1946. The winner is selected by the FWAA's All-America Committee after it pares the list to 25 and then to three finalists during the season.

Fuimaono, who will be a senior this fall, is a 2006 preseason First Team All-Mountain West Conference choice by Sporting News after earning honorable mention last season. The big run-stopper has played in all 34 games of his Rebel career.

The 2006 Outland Trophy announcement will be made Dec. 7 in Orlando, Fla., on the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The Outland presentation banquet, sponsored by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee and First Data Corporation, is set for Jan. 11, 2007, in Omaha, Neb. Minnesota center Greg Eslinger was the 2005 recipient.