Football

Old Trapper Mountain West Football Players of the Week - Sept. 28

LAS VEGAS – The Old Trapper Mountain West Football Players of the Week for games played in Week 4 were announced on Monday. Air Force junior quarterback Liam Szarka has been tabbed as the MW Offensive Player of the Week, while UNLV senior linebacker Cam Santee was named MW Defensive Player of the Week. Nevada senior placekicker Joe McFadden earned MW Special Teams Player of the Week honors, while New Mexico quarterback Toa Fa’avae was selected as MW Freshman of the Week.

It is the first career MW weekly honor for all four student-athletes.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
LIAM SZARKA, AIR FORCE
Junior, Quarterback, Aurora, Colorado / Grandview HS
  • Rushed for a career-high 171 yards on a career-high 33 carries and scored two touchdowns in Air Force's overtime victory at Nevada.
  • His 171 rushing yards and 33 carries are both the most by a Falcon this season and the most by an Air Force quarterback since Isaiah Sanders rushed 44 times for 196 yards against Utah State in 2017.
  • Completed 5-of-12 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown, including a fourth-and-goal scoring pass in the fourth quarter that gave the Falcons a two-score lead.
  • Recorded 11 carries that resulted in either a first down or touchdown, including four fourth-down conversions.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
CAM SANTEE, UNLV
Senior, Linebacker, Avon, Ohio / Holy Cross
  • Returned to his home state of Ohio and led all players with 10 tackles in UNLV's victory at Akron.
  • Recorded eight solo tackles as the Rebels limited the Zips to just one touchdown.
  • With UNLV leading 24-10 in the third quarter, intercepted a pass at the Rebel 43-yard line on third down to halt an Akron scoring threat.
  • Helped anchor a UNLV defense that pitched a second-half shutout.
  • Helped UNLV earn a 28-point victory, tying the program's largest nonconference road win since 2017.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
JOE MCFADDEN, NEVADA
Senior, Placekicker, Grapevine, Texas / UConn
  • Made a career-high four field goals, converting all four attempts, and was perfect on three PATs to account for 15 points in Nevada's game against Air Force.
  • Connected on field goals from 36, 31, 35 and 38 yards.
  • Drilled a 31-yard field goal with 3:45 remaining in regulation to pull Nevada within a touchdown at 27-20.
  • Three of his four field goals came in the fourth quarter and overtime as he helped keep the Wolf Pack within striking distance.
  • Connected on field goals of 35 and 38 yards in overtime, including a 35-yarder that tied the game and forced a second extra session.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
TOA FA’AVAE, NEW MEXICO
Quarterback, Concord, California / De La Salle HS
  • Led New Mexico to a 42-18 victory over in-state rival New Mexico State.
  • Completed 10 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 57 yards on 11 carries.
  • Set career highs in rushing and passing yards.