Oct. 19, 2016 LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV Football's Evan Pantels has been named the Outstanding Rebel of the Week presented by Air Force Reserve, the school announced Wednesday.
The award goes to the student-athlete who turned in the best individual performance during the previous week of competition from Monday through Sunday as voted on by the UNLV Athletic Communications department.
In his first year at UNLV, the sophomore transfer from Suwanee, Ga., has handled punting, field goal and kickoff duties for the Rebels this season. Pantels came up huge in all three areas in Saturday's 41-38 upset victory over Hawaii in Honolulu, the most important play being his game-winning field goal from 28 yards out with 49 seconds left. Prior to the game-winner, Pantels hit an 18-yard field goal in the third quarter and hit all five of his extra points, bringing his total to a career-high 11 points on the night. Pantels also punted three times for a 48-yard average, with his best being a 54-yarder that pinned Hawaii inside its own five-yard line. His most important kickoff of the night came after his game-winner, as he forced a touchback by the Rainbow Warriors to keep UH returner Paul Harris, who was averaging 32 yards on kickoff returns in the game, from having a chance to bring it out of the end zone. Hawaii went four-and-out on the ensuing drive as UNLV secured the victory. On the year, Pantels has connected on all six of his field goal attempts and hit all 30 of his extra points. Before transferring to UNLV, Pantels began his career at Georgia State, followed by a stint at Georgia Military College, a junior college in Milledgeville, Ga.
After two-consecutive road games, UNLV Football returns home this weekend for a Saturday afternoon tilt against Colorado State. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. PT at Sam Boyd Stadium. UNLV and The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame will jointly honor Rebel legend Randall Cunningham with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, between the first and second quarter of the game.
2016-17 Outstanding Rebel of the Week Award Winners
Aug. 31 - Dakota Blazak, Women's Soccer
