LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV senior linebacker Tau Lotulelei has been named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.

Lotulelei is the first Rebel football player to earn a weekly MW honor this season after he posted seven total tackles, including 1.5 tackles-for-loss in his team's 41-38 victory at Hawai'i Saturday night.

It was Lotulelei's forced fumble late in the fourth quarter, however, that made the biggest impact as he chased down Rainbow Warrior Dru Brown from behind after the quarterback ran for first down at the UNLV 47-yard line. Lotulelei popped the ball loose and it was recovered by defensive back Darius Mouton. Mouton returned the fumble for a touchdown but a block-in-the-back penalty brought the football back to near midfield. UNLV then drove down to set up a game-winning 28-yard field goal by Evan Pantels that made the Rebels winners on the islands for only the third time ever and first time since 2000.

Lotulelei, an all-conference candidate who leads the team with 61 tackles through seven games, is only the second Rebel since 2012 to earn the MW defensive honor, joining fellow-linebacker Ryan McAleenan, who won the same award last season.

After two weeks away, UNLV returns to Sam Boyd Stadium this Saturday for a key conference matchup with Colorado State. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. PT and tickets are available now by calling (702) 739-FANS or visiting unlvtickets.com.