LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – For the third time this season, UNLV football's standout kicker and quarterback both earned Mountain West honors on the same day as Jose Pizano was named Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week while quarterback Jayden Maiava was tabbed MW Freshman of the Week, the league announced Monday.
The same duo also won those awards back on October 23 and September 18.
Pizano (Lehi, UT) scored 10 points overall with two field goals and four extra points to help UNLV down Wyoming 34-14 on Friday. His second field goal, a 43-yarder in the fourth quarter, tied him with UNLV Hall of Famer Nick Garritano for most three-point boots in a season. The Super Senior is tied for the national lead with 21 field goals on 22 attempts and his school-record 105 overall points are currently the most in college football other than the 108 scored by Michigan running back Blake Corum. Pizano (piz-AH-no) has now tied Daniel Gutierrez (2022) for the UNLV record for most conference special team honors in one season.
Maiava, a graduate of local powerhouse Liberty High School, won for the second week in a row and fourth time overall, joining Boise State quarterback Taylen Green (2022) as the only players ever to be named MW Freshman of the Week four times.
Maiava (my-AH-vah) helped the Rebels reach the eight-win mark for the first time since 2000 by leading the team in both passing and rushing. He rushed for two touchdowns to give his team a quick 14-0 lead and then threw for a key score in the third quarter. For the night, Maiava completed 17-of-24 pass attempts for 232 yards without an interception and was not sacked.
Through 10 games, Maiava ranks 28th in the nation and second among all freshmen in pass completion percentage at 65.5% and 31st in the nation and second among rookies in pass efficiency.
Next up, UNLV (8-2/5-1) heads to Air Force this Saturday for a showdown of first-place teams. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. PT and the game will be televised by CBS Sports Network. The Rebels' final regular-season home game is on November 25 vs. San Jose State starting at noon. Tickets are on sale now by calling (702) 739-FANS or visiting unlvtickets.com.
