UNLV Linebacker Named Mountain West Player of the Week
Senior linebacker Cam Santee earned league honors following a dominant defensive performance in a victory over Akron.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Football
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The Mountain West has named UNLV senior linebacker Cam Santee its Defensive Player of the Week. The honor follows his standout 10-tackle performance during the Rebels' 38-10 road win against Akron.
Why it matters
Santee has emerged as a central figure for the Rebels, anchoring a defense that successfully held Akron scoreless throughout the entire second half. His recent recognition highlights his transition to the program following his career at Holy Cross.
Santee led all participants with 10 total tackles, including eight solo stops, while contributing to a UNLV defense that recorded three total interceptions. The Rebels held the Akron offense to zero points during the second half of play.
The players
Cam Santee
He is a senior linebacker for UNLV who previously played at Holy Cross and attended Avon High.
Mountain West
It is the college athletic conference that governs football and other sports programs for schools like UNLV.
UNLV
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a public research university that competes in the Mountain West conference.
The details
During the victory, the UNLV defense pressured the Akron offense to secure a decisive 38-10 finish. A graduate of Avon High, Santee demonstrated his veteran presence by leading the unit to a shutout in the final two quarters of the matchup.
Timeline
1982: UNLV first joined a college athletic conference.
September 28, 2026: The award announcement was officially published.
Next Saturday: UNLV hosts Cal at Allegiant Stadium.
Season Trajectory
This award underscores the growing defensive reliability of the Rebels as they attempt to improve their current 2-2 season record. Strong individual performances like this are essential for UNLV to remain competitive in the Mountain West title race.
Santee's defensive production is a critical variable for bettors and fantasy players evaluating the upcoming home game against Cal. Fans attending the game at Allegiant Stadium next Saturday can anticipate an elevated focus on the defensive secondary's ability to create turnovers.
The takeaway
Players transferring from smaller programs like Holy Cross can significantly impact conference standings when they integrate quickly into new defensive schemes. Success often hinges on a team's ability to maintain second-half momentum throughout a full season.
Further reading
For more updates on the team, visit the Football section.
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