Nov. 23, 1997
Patton Leads Winners at UNLV Football Banquet
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Senior linebacker Scott Patton, who broke the UNLV record for most tackles in a single season, was named both team and defensive most valuable player at Sunday's annual football awards banquet before a crowd of more than 350 at the Stardust Hotel.
Patton, a former junior college All-American who also won defensive MVP last season, totaled 147 tackles this fall to break Jason Medlock's 1993 record by 10 takedowns. Patton, who started all 23 games in his two seasons in Las Vegas, also scored two touchdowns this year, including a school-record long 67-yard fumble return for a score at Wyoming.
The Mission Viejo, Calif., native became the first Rebel player under Head Coach Jeff Horton to win two of the three MVP awards in the same season.
On the other side of the ball, junior wide receiver Damon Williams was tabbed Most Valuable Player on Offense.
Williams, who led the Rebels in receptions this season with 67, has caught at least one pass 34-consecutive games - every game of his career. The Culver City, Calif., native tied former Rebel great Henry Bailey for most career catches on Saturday with 156. Williams finished the fall ranked third in the Western Athletic Conference and 26th in the nation with 5.6 receptions per game.
The Special Teams Most Valuable Player award went to senior defensive back Giovani Minoletti. The Eureka, Nev., native was a standout on return and kick coverage teams, including blocking a San Jose State punt on Saturday to help the Rebels move into overtime with the Spartans.
Other awards handed out Sunday included the $2,000 Rene Arceneaux Scholarship Award given to senior wide receiver Todd Floyd. Also, senior quarterback Rob Bone and junior offensive lineman Brandon Ellena were named the team's Scholar Athletes of the Year.
1997 UNLV FOOTBALL AWARDS
Most Valuable Player -- Offense WR Damon Williams
Most Valuable Player -- Defense LB Scott Patton
Most Valuable Player -- Team LB Scott Patton
Special Teams Player of the Year DB Giovani Minoletti
Scout Team Player of the Year - Offense RB Micah Ancheta
Scout Team Player of the Year - Defense DL James Sunia
Rene Arceneaux Award WR Todd Floyd
Randy Brewer Coaches Award DE Talance Sawyer
Jack Gilmore Coaches Award QB Rob Bone
Bill "Wildcat" Morris Most Inspirational Award RB James Wofford
"Doc" Tobler Award OL Ben Glidewell
Scholar Athletes of the Year QB Rob Bone & OL Brandon Ellena
