Feb. 11, 2011

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - A total of 12 UNLV football players earned spots on the 2010 Academic All-Mountain West Conference team, the league announced this week.

This season's group of Rebels includes five players who also earned the honor in previous years. The contingent was led by four-time honoree Matt Murphy (Lake Forest, CA), who was also a rare four-year starter on the field at offensive tackle.

Two other veterans picked up their third such honor: WR Tate Knutson (Anchorage, AK) and LB Beau Orth (Las Vegas). Other Rebels who were also on a previous year's list were LB David Blair (Tempe, AZ) and LB Travis Trickey (Springerville, AZ).

Making their first appearance on the annual list this season were DL Ian Bobak (Las Vegas), DL Tyler Gaston (North Las Vegas), LB Tim Hasson (Las Vegas), P Brendon Lamers (Palos Verdes, CA), DL Kjelby Oiland (Spokane, WA), WR Aaron Reed (Las Vegas) and TE Anthony Vidal (Huntington Beach, CA).

To be eligible for selection student-athletes must have completed at least one academic term at the school while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, and be a starter or significant contributor on their team. Exceptions are made for players unable to compete because of injury.

UNLV MEMBERS OF 2010 ACADEMIC ALL-MWC FOOTBALL TEAMPlayer, Pos.          GPA    MajorDavid Blair*, LB      3.31   Fine Arts-FilmIan Bobak, DL         3.25   Gaming ManagementTyler Gaston, DL      3.50   UndecidedTim Hasson, LB        3.00   Business AdministrationTate Knutson*, WR     3.59   KinesiologyBrendon Lamers, P     3.06   Graphic DesignMatt Murphy*, OL      3.21   Mathematics-Secondary EducationKjelby Oiland, DL     3.10   UndecidedBeau Orth*, LB        3.35   MarketingAaron Reed, WR        3.08   UndecidedTravis Trickey*, LB   3.21   CommunicationsAnthony Vidal, TE     3.78   Kinesiology*Multiple-season honoree