For the third straight year, UNLV running back Lexington "Lightning" Thomas was one of 47 players named this week to the official watch list for the annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.
 
The award honors the nation's top college football offensive player who was either born in Texas, graduated from a Texas high school or plays at a college located in the Lone Star State. The honoree must also exhibit the enduring characteristics that define the award's namesake -- former NFL running back great Earl Campbell (nicknamed the Tyler Rose) -- including integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity.
 
A 2015 graduate of Benjamin Davis High School in Houston, Thomas already was announced as a member of the 2018 Doak Walker Award Watch List, an honor that goes to college football's top running back. Lightning, who was a unanimous choice for 2018 preseason first team All-Mountain West by preseason publications, needs 1,250 yards to pass Tim Cornett (3,733 from 2010-13) and become the school's career rushing king.
 
Despite starting just 20 games as a collegian, Thomas heads into the fall ranking third in UNLV history with 12 100-yard rushing games and needs six to break two-time All-American Mike Thomas' 44-year-old UNLV record of 17. Thomas turned in the fourth-highest rushing total in school history last fall with 1,336 yards on 211 carries for a gaudy per-rush average of 6.3 yards, which ranked 17th in the nation. Lightning also struck often in the end zone as a junior, scoring at least one touchdown in 10 of 12 games (two or more six times) and finishing with 17 rushing TDs, which tied for 12th in the nation and tied for second on the school's single-season list.
 
The Tyler Rose Award Watch List will be narrowed to up to 16 semifinalists in November and then up to five finalists in December. They will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans, and previous winners. The finalists will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for Jan. 9, 2019.
 
UNLV opens its season September 1 at USC. Season tickets are on sale now starting at only $99 for all six home games. Three-game and group ticket packages are also available with Eat All You Can Plans for as low as $79 per ticket. UNLV has also introduced the Better Seats Promise. Ticket plan holders are guaranteed better seats than single-game purchasers. Other season ticket packages include faculty & staff, alumni and groups.
 
To learn more or to purchase tickets, please visit UNLVtickets.com or call 702-739-FANS (3267). Parking is free at Sam Boyd Stadium for Rebel football games. Season ticket holders will receive priority access for seating at Rebel games inside Las Vegas Stadium, which is scheduled to open in 2020.