Sept. 28, 2015
MW Video Announcement
RENO, Nev. - After intercepting two passes and posting 10 tackles in his first collegiate game, true freshman defensive back Dameon Baber has been named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week. Baber tallies the Wolf Pack's first weekly conference honor of the season and the first since Nov. 3, 2014.
The freshman hailing from Palmdale, Calif. started at free safety in his first collegiate game on Saturday, leading the Wolf Pack (2-2) to a 24-21 victory over Buffalo at UB Stadium. Baber became Nevada's first player to intercept two passes in a single game since Markus Smith picked off two passes against Hawai'i on Sept. 21, 2013.
Baber's first career interception came late in the third quarter as Nevada held a narrow 17-13 lead with Buffalo driving into Wolf Pack territory. The 5-foot-11 defensive pack intercepted a pass in the end zone, which led to a 12-play, 80-yard scoring drive that gave Nevada a 24-13 lead with 10:25 left in the game.
The Bulls pulled within 24-21 and threatened again by driving into Nevada territory late in the fourth quarter. With the game coming down to the wire, Baber intercepted a pass on 4th-and-15 with 80 seconds left in the game to allow Nevada to knee-out the clock.
Baber also tallied 10 tackles - seven assisted and three solo - to rank second only to Matthew Lyons' career-high 16 tackles. Baber's two interceptions also marked the fourth multi-interception game by a player in the MW this season.
Baber was also named MW Defensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness. The last player to be named MW Player of the Week by the conference office was Jonathan McNeal last season after tallying 12 tackles and two turnovers against San Diego State.
The Wolf Pack returns to action this Saturday, Oct. 3, hosting rivals UNLV at Mackay Stadium in the Battle for the Fremont Cannon. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. PT. Nevada has defeated the Rebels in nine out of the past 10 games in the series.
