Sept. 15, 2008

LAS VEGAS - Defensive Lineman Malo Taumua (Honolulu, Hawaii/Aiea HS) has been named the Mountain West Conference Co-Special Teams Player of the Week after his block of a field goal attempt sealed UNLV's stunning victory at 13th-ranked Arizona State in Tempe.

With the Rebels having kicked a field goal to take a 23-20 lead in the first overtime period on Saturday night, the Sun Devils brought in 2007 Lou Groza Award winner Thomas Weber for his 35-yard attempt to tie the game. Weber had made all six of his field goals this season and an incredible 30 of 31 in his career before Taumua rushed up the middle to get his arm on the kick, which instead darted backwards and ended the game.

Taumua is the first Rebel to win a MWC weekly honor since linebacker Beau Bell won the third of his record three in one season on Oct. 29, 2007. The starting tackle is the first to earn a special teams nod for the program since kicker Sergio Aguayo was tabbed on Oct. 10, 2005.

Taumua shared this week's honor with New Mexico PK James Aho, who booted five field goals in the Lobos' win over Arizona. BYU QB Max Hall earned the offensive nod while UNM CB Glover Quin and TCU DE Matt Panfil were co-defensive honorees.