Sept. 21, 2009

LAS VEGAS - UNLV Quarterback Omar Clayton (Normal, Ill./Normal Community HS) has been named the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week after he led his team to a 34-33 victory over previously unbeaten Hawaii on Saturday.

After a slow start, the junior ended up throwing three touchdown passes and running in another score himself from 11 yards out. Clayton set career highs with 340 yards passing and 28 completions vs. the Warriors, including a game-winning 15-yard fade pass to Phillip Payne in the end zone on third-and-goal with 36 seconds remaining.

Saturday was the 12th consecutive game in which Clayton threw at least one TD pass, a streak that ranks third in MWC history.

Clayton, who won his first MWC weekly honor nearly a year ago to the day after a win over Iowa State, is the first UNLV offensive player to not have to share the award since QB Jason Thomas on Nov. 4, 2002 (four co-winners since then).

Air Force LB Andre Morris (seven total tackles, two sacks vs. New Mexico) earned the MWC defensive nod this week while Colorado State punter Pete Kontodiakos (47.2-yard average vs. UNR) won the special teams honor.

ALL-TIME UNLV MWC OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
PLAYER, POS.            DATE HONOREDOmar Clayton, QB        Sept. 21, 2009Omar Clayton, QB (Co-)  Sept. 22, 2008Frank Summers, RB (Co-) Sept. 24, 2007Rocky Hinds, QB (Co-)   Nov. 27, 2006Larry Croom, RB (Co-)   Dec. 2, 2002Jason Thomas, QB        Nov. 4, 2002Joe Haro, RB            Oct. 29, 2001Nate Turner, WR         Nov. 27, 2000Jason Thomas, QB        Oct. 2, 2000Jeremi Rudolph, RB      Oct. 11, 1999