RENO, Nev. - Nevada Football announced its 2022 team awards at its end-of-season breakfast Sunday. The top awards went to running back Toa Taua (Golden Helmet Team MVP), wide receiver B.J. Casteel (Offensive MVP), safety Bentlee Sanders (Defensive MVP), and kicker Brandon Talton (Special Teams MVP).

Taua, named All-Mountain West Honorable Mention this past week, led the Wolf Pack with 1,206 all-purpose yards in 2022, pacing the Pack with a career-high 911 rushing yards and 295 receiving yards. The fifth-year back led all Mountain West backs with 41 receptions, while accounting for a Nevada-best 12 touchdowns, including a career-high 11 via rush. Taua, who appeared in all 12 games with 11 starts this season, posted four 100-yard rushing games, along with five multi-touchdown games, highlighted by a career high-matching three rushing touchdowns Oct. 29 at San José State.

Casteel, in his only season at Nevada, was named All-Mountain West Honorable Mention as he paced the Wolf Pack in receptions (48), receiving yards (581), and touchdown catches (four). The Pasadena, Calif., native came on in the second half of the season, making 39 catches for 469 yards and three scores over the final seven games. Casteel caught three touchdowns over the Pack's final four games, including one at San José State in a seven-catch, career-high 149-yard effort Oct. 29.

Sanders was named the Pack's Defensive MVP after having one of the best seasons of a Nevada defensive back. Sanders, the team's leading tackler with 82, had a hand in eight of Nevada's 19 takeaways this season (five interceptions, three forced fumbles), and ranked among the national leaders in interceptions and forced fumbles. Leading the takeaway charge on the Pack defense, Sanders was named an Associated Press midseason All-American and a semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the top defensive back in college football. Voted to the All-Mountain West First Team, Sanders paced the conference in interceptions, forced fumbles, and solo tackles (66).

Despite missing five games in the middle of the season, Talton still came back to be the Pack's second-leading scorer with 45 points. Talton went 10-for-12 on field-goal attempts, and a perfect 15-for-15 on PATs, and became the Mountain West's all-time leader in field goals made Nov. 12 when he booted the 65th field goal of his career. Through the end of the season, Talton has 68 career field goals, just five away from the Pack's all-time lead.

The Pack staff also handed out its top scout team honors at Sunday's breakfast. Wide receivers Victor Snow and Tyler Clark were honored with the Scout Team Offense Award, defensive back Marquese Allen-Patmon and defensive lineman Cade Rodahaffer were named the Scout Team Defense Award winners, and cornerback Dorian Blackwell took home the Scout Team Special Teams Award.

Wide receiver Spencer Curtis, running back Devonte Lee, second-team All-Mountain West defensive tackle Dom Peterson, and nickel Tyson Williams were recognized with the Nevadatude Award, which recognizes special toughness. Kicker Matthew Killam earned the Fireman's Award, given for special performance under fire, and offensive tackle Grant Starck, named All-Mountain West Honorable Mention, was honored with the Basalite Big Blocker Award.

Linebacker Drue Watts, named All-Mountain West Honorable Mention, and offensive lineman Isaiah World were named the Pack's Newcomers of the Year, given to the top first-time players, and cornerback Jaden Dedman took home the Alpha Wolf Strength Award, given to the best leader in the weight room.

One team member from each class was honored with the Chris Exline Academic Awards. Sanders (senior), Micah Lilo (junior), Andrew Madrigal (sophomore), and Chris Smalley (freshman) were the 2022 recipients.

Golden Helmet Award (Team MVP)
RB Toa Taua

Outstanding Offensive Player (Offensive MVP)
WR B.J. Casteel

Outstanding Defensive Player (Defensive MVP)
S Bentlee Sanders

BattleBorn Award (Special Teams MVP)
K Brandon Talton

Scout Team Offense Award
WR Victor Snow, WR Tyler Clark

Scout Team Defense Award
DB Marquese Allen-Patmon, DL Cade Rodahaffer

Scout Team Special Teams Award
CB Dorian Blackwell

Chris Exline Academic Awards
Bentlee Sanders (Senior)
Micah Lilo (Junior)
Andrew Madrigal (Sophomore)
Chris Smalley (Freshman)

Nevadatude Award (Special Toughness)
Spencer Curtis
Devonte Lee
Dom Peterson
Tyson Williams

Fireman's Award (Special Under Fire)
Matthew Killam

Newcomers of the Year (Top First-time players)
LB Drue Watts, OL Isaiah World

Basalite Big Blocker (Best Blocker)
OL Grant Starck

Alpha Wolf Strength Award (Best Leader in the Weight Room)
CB Jaden Dedman