UNLV’s Deante’ Purvis celebrates after returning a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011.
Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012 | 5:20 p.m.
Record-setting returner Deante’ Purvis (co-special teams) was one of four most valuable players for the UNLV football team as coach Bobby Hauck announced season-ending awards Tuesday.
The other MVPs included James Dunlap (defense), tight end Austin Harrington (offense) and return-coverage specialist Mike Horsey (co-special teams).
Purvis earned second-team All-Mountain West honors after returning 41 kickoffs for 1,000 yards, highlighted by a 98-yard touchdown return against Colorado State.
Dunlap ranked second in the conference and 37th in the nation with 14.5 tackles for loss, including 6.5 sacks.
Harrington had 15 catches for 164 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown on a fake field goal against Southern Utah.
Horsey recorded 13 total tackles on the kick-coverage unit.
Here’s the full list of honorees:
2011 UNLV FOOTBALL AWARDS
Most Valuable Player (Defense) — Dunlap, DE, Senior
Most Valuable Player (Offense) — Harrington, TE, Senior
Most Valuable Player (Special Teams) — Purvis, KR, Senior, and Horsey, DB, Freshman
Rene Arceneaux Award (Academic Improvement) — Quinton Pointer, DB, Senior
Robert Cline Award (Commitment to Team, Community and Sportsmanship) — Matt Kravetz, DL, Senior, and Mike Clausen, DB, Senior
Jack Gilmore Coaches Award (Excellence from Former Walk-On) — Horsey
Bill "Wildcat" Morris Most Inspirational Award — Dunlap
"Doc" Tobler Senior Award — Nate Carter, LB, Senior
Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year — Prince Oroke, RB, Freshman
Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year — Peni Vea, DB, Freshman
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