Dec. 7, 2007
LAS VEGAS - Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year Beau Bell led the way with four honors, including Most Valuable Player on Defense, as UNLV held its annual postseason football banquet on campus at the Student Union Ballroom Friday night.
Bell, a future NFL draft pick out of Tustin, CA, led league with 126 total tackles and five forced fumbles while also pacing UNLV with four interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown. Bell, who leaves as the Rebels' second-leading career tackler with 320, became the first player in league history to be named MWC Defensive Player of the Week three times in a season. He also led his team with 9.5 tackles for loss, ranked second with three QB sacks and third with three pass breakups. The fourth player in UNLV history to be invited to play in the Senior Bowl, Bell had eight double-digit tackle games, including a season-high 15 (11 solo) at New Mexico to close his illustrious college career.
Aside from the MVP and Captain honors, Bell was named the winner of the Bill "Wildcat" Morris Most Inspirational Award and the "Doc" Tobler Senior Award, which is given to the final-year player who brings the highest credit to himself and the university.
On the other side of the ball, sophomore receiver Ryan Wolfe was named 2007 UNLV MVP on offense. The Santa Clarita, CA, native paced his team with 66 catches for 784 yards receiving while also picking up 103 yards rushing on just nine carries. Wolfe twice hit double digits in catches with a career-high 11 vs. CSU and 10 at Air Force. Despite appearing in just a few plays in the Wyoming game because of injury, he still ranked third in the MWC and 48th nationally with 5.50 receptions per game.
There were co-winners for the special teams MVP: senior place-kicker Sergio Aguayo (San Jacinto, CA) and senior punter Brian Pacheco (Peoria, AZ). Aguayo, who was perfect 6-6 from 40-49 yards this fall, hit 17-of-22 field goal attempts overall and was 21-22 in extra point attempts for a team-high 72 points. Pacheco made the most of his one season as the team's starter, finishing with a 42.1-yard average, which ranked 29th nationally. Booting a 77-yarder and a 72-yarder, he joined former All-American Randall Cunningham as the only Rebels to have more than one 70-yard punt in a career.
Other honors handed out Friday included senior offensive lineman Mike McKiski (Henderson, NV) getting the Rene Arceneaux Award, which is given to a player who has demonstrated exemplary improvement in academic progress, while another senior blocker, Tim Goins (Madison, AL) took home the Robert Cline Award, which annually goes to a senior who demonstrated a strong commitment to his team, university and community while also showing good sportsmanship on the field. Defensive lineman Faauo Faga (Indian Springs, NV) was given the Rebel Spirit Award, which goes to the senior who exhibited toughness, positive attitude and a strong commitment to his teammates.
Redshirt freshman receiver Tate Knutson (Anchorage, AK) picked up the Jack Gilmore Coaches Award, which is given to a former walk-on player who excelled on the field. Also, junior tight end Ryan Worthen (Las Vegas) and senior linebacker Adrian Bradley (Tulsa, OK) shared the Outstanding Character Award, which is given to a player or player who demonstrates outstanding character and a sense of responsibility on and off the field.
2007 UNLV FOOTBALL AWARDSMost Valuable Player - OffenseRyan Wolfe, WR, SophomoreMost Valuable Player - DefenseBeau Bell, LB, SeniorCo-Most Valuable Players - Special TeamsSergio Aguayo, PK, SeniorBrian Pacheco, P, SeniorRene Arceneaux AwardMike McKiski, OL, SeniorRobert Cline AwardTim Goins, OL, SeniorJack Gilmore Coaches AwardTate Knutson, WR, FreshmanBill "Wildcat" Morris Most Inspirational AwardBeau Bell, LB, Senior"Doc" Tobler Senior AwardBeau Bell, LB, SeniorOffensive Scout Team Player of the YearMike Clausen, QB, FreshmanCo-Defensive Scout Team Players of the YearGeorge Fa'avae, DL, JuniorAustin Harrington, DL, FreshmanSpecial Teams Scout Team Player of the YearJesse Wheeler, P/PK, SophomoreRebel Spirit AwardFaauo Faga, DL, SeniorOutstanding Character AwardRyan Worthen, TE, JuniorAdrian Bradley, LB, SeniorCaptains AwardBeau Bell, LB, SeniorFaauo Faga, DL, SeniorTim Goins, OL, SeniorChris Buter, TE, Senior
