May 25, 2011

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - A pair of returning seniors on the UNLV football team were named to Phil Steele's Preseason All-Mountain West Conference First Team, the publication announced Wednesday.

Wide receiver Phillip Payne (6-3, 205, SR-3L) has compiled 19 receiving touchdowns in 32 career games and needs five more this fall to tie Henry Bailey's school record of 24. A product of Las Vegas' Western High School, Payne sits 12th all-time at UNLV with 127 catches and 13th with 1,786 yards.

Joining him on the first team was senior cornerback Will Chandler (5-11, 185, SR-3L). The native of Pacoima, Calif., was among the national leaders a year ago with five interceptions and seven total takeaways.

Senior wide receiver Michael Johnson (5-8, 175, SR-3L), who was suspended for spring practice, was on the second team along with kick returner Marcus Sullivan (5-9, 185, SO-1L). The local product from Cheyenne High School finished 17th in the nation last season with a kickoff-return average of 27.9 yards per attempt.

Offensive lineman Doug Zismann (6-2, 290, JR-2L) out of Phoenix was UNLV's lone rep on the third team while RB Tim Cornett (6-0, 190, SO-1L), OL Sean Tesoro (6-2, 310, SO-1L), LB Nate Carter (6-1, 235, SR-3L) and DB Quinton Pointer (5-10, 185, SR-3L) were all members of the fourth team.

The league's official preseason All-MWC team will be announced in late July during the conference media days in Las Vegas.