Courtesy of UNLV
LAS VEGAS – UNLV football’s memorable 25-23 Homecoming victory over Colorado State on Saturday continues to produce recognition for the Rebels as two players were announced Tuesday as part of weekly honors from organizers of national collegiate awards.
Coincidentally, the same duo won the same awards after helping the Rebels down Vanderbilt just over a month ago.
Kicker Jose Pizano, who was previously announced as Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week, was one of three FBS booters named a Star of the Week by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award. The native of Lehi, Utah, broke two school records after hitting all six of his field goal attempts, including the game-winner as time expired. His field goal total tied the MW single-game record and broke Daniel Gutierrez’s Rebel record of five, set just last season, while his 19 total points scored shattered the previous mark of 16 kicking points in game.
Pizano (piz-AH-no), a Super Senior transfer from Missouri State, improved to 18-of-19 on the season in field goals and now leads the nation in three-pointers after becoming the only player in college football to make six in one outing this season.
Wide receiver Jacob De Jesus was one of four players named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll this week. The Paul Hornung Award, presented by Texas Roadhouse, is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. Fans can vote online for the award by visiting https://www.louisvillesports.org/paul-hornung/award-poll/.
A former transfer from Modesto JC, De Jesus was instrumental in three areas on Saturday. He posted a season-best nine receptions for 120 yards, including hauling in a final-seconds pass to help set up Pizano’s game-winning field goal. De Jesus also added 103 yards on four kickoff returns (long of 30) and 40 yards on a pair of punt returns (long of 28) to finish with 263 all-purpose yards. He currently ranks fifth in the nation in kickoff returns with 28.5-yard average and stands 17th in all-purpose yardage at 125.7 per game.
UNLV (6-1/3-0), which is receiving votes in the two major polls for the first time since 2003, next travels to Fresno State on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7:40 p.m. and the game will be televised by FS1. The Rebels’ next home game is on Friday, November 10 vs. Wyoming at 7:45 p.m. Tickets are on sale now by calling (702) 739-FANS or visiting unlvtickets.com.
