University of Nevada Athletics

NEVADA
SENIOR (2018) – Ranks third in Nevada history with 340 career tackles and was named an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention for the third straight year … Awarded the outstanding defensive player award by the team along with teammate Dameon Baber … His 205 career solo tackles ranked ninth among active players at the end of the 2018 season, and was ninth nationally with nine career forced fumbles … Finished the 2018 regular season with 65 total tackles and five tackles for loss … Recorded three passes defensed on the year … Forced a fumble against Oregon State that was ran back by teammate Malik Reed for a 48-yard scoop and score … His best game of the season came at Air Force where he registered season-highs in tackles (10) and tackles for loss (2.5) … Recorded his one interception on the season on his senior night against Colorado State … Had six tackles, including five solo, in the 2018 Arizona Bowl victory and also forced a fumble … Named preseason second team All-MW by Phil Steele and third team All-MW by Athlon Sports ... One of the top defensive backs in the Mountain West ... Quick striking defensive back who has the ability to get involved in all aspects of the defense.
 
JUNIOR (2017) – Season was cut short due to suffering an injury at Boise State (11/4) … Played in nine games and made starts in all nine before his injury … Received an All-Mountain West honorable mention … His 75 total tackles ranked third on the team … Of his 75 total tackles, 41 were solo and 5.5 went for a loss … Had at least five tackles in eight of his nine games played … Averaged 8.3 total tackles per game which was in the top 60 nationally … Recorded a career-high 24 tackles in the game against Air Force (10/20), which was one tackle shy of tying the single game program record … Had a second double digit tackle performance with 10 tackles at Washington State (9/23) … Produced 1.5 sacks on the year, three pass deflections, forced three fumbles and recovered two fumbles … Had a fumble recovery and return of 11 yards at Colorado State (10/14) … Recorded a season-high 3.0 TFLs at Washington State … Enters his senior season ranked just outside the top 10 in career tackles with 275.
 
SOPHOMORE (2016) – Earned honorable mention honors in All-Mountain West selections … Recorded a total of 95 tackles on the year, including 67 solo … His 5.6 solo tackles per game ranked 17^th in the nation and was third in the Mountain West … Forced a career-high two fumbles at Purdue (9/24) … Finished the year with three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries … Recorded his season high of 11 tackles against Wyoming (10/22) … Put up double-figure tackles in four games of the season … Blocked a kick for the first time in his career against San Diego State (11/12) … Posted two pass breakups during the year … Recorded a sack against San Diego State (11/12) … Made at least five tackles in each of the 12 games … Had 2.5 tackles for loss on the year … Started all 12 games of the season … Named Nevada’s defensive player of the game following the UNLV game (11/26) where he posted five tackles and picked off a pass to seal the win for the Pack … Letter winner.
 
REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (2015) - Played in all 13 games with 12 starts at safety … Led the team in tackles with 105 stops, becoming the first freshman to post 100 tackles in a single season since DeShone Myles in 1994 … Ranked ninth in the Mountain West in total tackles and second among defensive backs … Ranked third in FBS among freshmen in total tackles … On the season, posted 105 tackles, three passes defended, one interception and one forced fumble … Co-winner of Nevada’s Newcomer of the Year Award … Opened the season with a game-high 12 tackles in Nevada’s win over UC Davis … Posted a game-high 10 tackles with one pass breakup against Pac-12 foe Arizona … Tallied one forced fumble in Nevada’s victory over New Mexico … Recorded his first career interception and returned it 29 yards, leading Nevada past Hawai’i … Set a career-high with 13 tackles and one pass breakup at Utah State … Posted at least seven tackles in all but three games on the season … Tallied nine tackles in Nevada’s victory in the 2015 Arizona Bowl … Letter winner.
 
FRESHMAN (2014) - Did not see action in the regular season … Redshirted … Letter winner.
 
HIGH SCHOOL - From Bakersfield (Calif.) High School ... Had a standout season as a senior, rushing for 1,857 yards and throwing for 1,504 and accounting for a total of 44 touchdowns as he led his team to a state championship ... Was Central Valley MVP and the CIF Section Player of the Year ... Named a finalist for state Player of the Year honors and earned first-team all-state accolades ... As a junior rushed for 1,085 yards and 12 touchdowns while throwing for 1,733 yards and 16 touchdowns ... Also lettered in track and field.
 
PERSONAL - Born Asauni Robert Rufus ... Son of Tina Garza and Curtis Rufus ... Majoring in psychology ... Was also recruited by Cal Poly and UC Davis ... Enjoy spending time with family and playing other sports.