LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV senior offensive lineman
Justin Polu and junior defensive lineman
Kolo Uasike are two of 62 players from around the nation named Tuesday to the 2019 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.
The honor is presented annually to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player that epitomizes great ability and integrity. Polu (PO-lew) earned a spot on the list for the third straight year while Uasike made his debut.
An honors candidate who has started all 36 games of his career at right guard, Polu is a local product (Silverado High School) who was named 2019 Preseason First Team All-Mountain West after helping the Rebels rank 19th in the nation last year with 224 yards rushing per game.
Uasika (WAH-skay) was listed atop the depth chart at nose guard heading into fall camp. The Mesa, Arizona, product (Skyline HS) played in every game last fall and totaled 24 tackles, including two TFL and a QB sack.
Former University of Oregon and current Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was selected as the inaugural recipient of the award in 2014; former University of Notre Dame, and current Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman, Las Vegas' own Ronnie Stanley, received the award in 2015; former University of Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau received the award in 2016, former Washington State defensive end Hercules Mata`afa won in 2017 and Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa received the award last year.
The winner of the 2019 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 17. Five finalists will be unveiled on December 5. The presentation of the Award will be held during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner (Jan. 17, 2020) at Sheraton Waikiki and the winner will also be recognized at halftime of the Polynesian Bowl (Jan. 18, 2020) at Aloha Stadium.
"The Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award showcases the immense talent of our Polynesian student-athletes in college football today," said Jesse Sapolu, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Chairman, Co-Founder and Inductee. "The award has quickly become one of the most prestigious in all of college football."
UNLV opens its season August 31 by hosting Southern Utah at 7 pm. Season tickets, which start as low as $99, are available now and as part of UNLV's Faithful Fan Pricing initiative, fans purchasing season tickets this year may purchase season tickets for the same per-game price in the new Las Vegas Stadium opening in 2020.
Season ticket mini-plans for UNLV football recently went on sale. This year's mini-plan allows fans to purchase tickets for the games vs. Boise State, San Diego State and Hawai'i for one low price that includes a meal combo and the commemorative giveaway T-shirt each week. Prices for the mini-plan are $99 for end-zone locations and $150 for sideline seats. Mini-plans, as well as full season tickets are available now by calling (702) 739-3267 (FANS) or visiting unlvtickets.com.
