Dec. 3, 2012
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Team tackle leader John Lotulelei (defense), the running back tandem of Tim Cornett and Bradley Randle (co-offense), and kick team standout Princeton Jackson (special teams) were named UNLV football's most valuable players Monday as Head Coach Bobby Hauck announced his program's season-ending awards.
Lotulelei (Kehei, HI) currently ranks third in the Mountain West and 39th in the nation with 9.2 tackles per game and his total of 120 was the 10th-highest in UNLV single-season history. A team captain, he turned in a career-high 19 total tackles vs. Nevada, Reno and grabbed his first interception vs. Washington State. The former junior-college transfer also received the 2012 Bill "Wildcat" Morris Most Inspirational Award.
Cornett (Galena Park, TX) rushed for 1,232 net yards, which was the fifth-most in UNLV single-season history. The junior, who added seven touchdowns, became just the third Rebel in history to post at least eight 100-yard rushing games in a season. Randle (Murrieta, CA) rushed for a career-high 635 yards, including a career-high 113 yards on just 12 carries in a win over New Mexico. The junior twice scored three touchdowns in a game en route to a team-leading nine scores on the year.
Jackson (Houston, TX) was a versatile senior linebacker who played in 11 games and finished with 48 total tackles, including his outstanding work on kickoff, punt and punt return teams.
Five other team awards were announced:
Another senior, defensive back Kenny Brown (Palmdale, CA) won the Rene Arceneaux Award, which is given to a player who has demonstrated exemplary improvement in academic progress.
Defensive lineman and team captain Beau Brence (Plano, TX), earned the Robert Cline Award, which annually goes to a senior who demonstrated a strong commitment to the team, university and community while also showing good sportsmanship on the field.
Tight end/fullback Max Johnson (Wildomar, CA), who turned two of his five receptions into touchdowns this fall, picked up the Jack Gilmore Coaches Award, which is given to a current or former walk-on player who excelled on the field.
The squad's third senior captain, three-year starting offensive lineman Yusef Rodgers (Van Nuys, CA) was voted winner of the "Doc" Tobler Senior Award, which goes to a final-year player who brings the highest credit to himself and the university.
Also, three players were honored for their work on the scout team as sophomore receiver Jonathan James (North Las Vegas) won on offense while linebacker Iggy Porchia (Los Angeles) and lineman Dominic Baldwin (Santa Maria, CA) were tabbed on defense.
2012 UNLV FOOTBALL AWARDSMost Valuable Player - Defense...............John Lotulelei, LB, SeniorMost Valuable Players - Offense...............Tim Cornett, RB, Junior & Bradley Randle, RB, JuniorMost Valuable Players - Special Teams....Princeton Jackson, LB, SeniorRene Arceneaux Award............................Kenny Brown, DB, SeniorRobert Cline Award..................................Beau Brence, DL, SeniorJack Gilmore Coaches Award...................Max Johnson, TE/FB, JuniorBill "Wildcat" Morris Most Inspirational......John Lotulelei, LB, Senior"Doc" Tobler Senior Award........................Yusef Rodgers, OL, SeniorOffensive Scout Team Player of the Year....Jonathan James, WR, SophomoreDefensive Scout Team Players of the Year..Iggy Porchia, LB, & Dominic Baldwin, DL, Freshmen
