UNLV REBELS

Ray Cheetany

39

Class: Senior Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA High School: Linn-Mar Marion HS

Last College: Iowa Central CC Height / Weight: 5-11 / 180 Position: Kicker/Punter Birthdate: 12/12/1977 Experience: 1L

2000 PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA

UNLV: An All-America candidate who was nation’s fourth-leading punter a year ago … Named 2000 preseason first team All-America by Street & Smith’s magazine … Also tabbed second team All-America by Preview Sports magazine and Collegefootballnews.com … Listed as the highest graded player at his position according to the spring ratings by National Football Scouting Inc., one of the two combine services that provide analyses to NFL teams … A unanimous preseason selection for first team All-Mountain West Conference (The Sporting News, Lindy’s, Athlon, Street & Smith’s, Preview Sports) … Named one of college football’s Top 10 Special Teams Players by Sports Illustrated in 1999 … The Rebels’ kick-off man for the second straight season, he will also boot all extra points and field goals in 2000 … 1999: Took over team’s punting duties in third game against Iowa State … Kicked a 67-yard punt against BYU, his career long and longest by a Rebel since 1995 … Of his 65 punts, 25 (39 percent) traveled at least 50 yards and six (nine percent) went more than 60, while 18 of his kicks (28 percent) pinned the Rebels’ opponent inside the 20-yard line … Completed his only pass attempt on a fake punt, connecting with Coury Hankins for a 24-yard gain and a first down … Also made two touchdown-saving tackles against Colorado State … Kicked off 37 times (including four intentional pooch kicks), which resulted in 15 touchbacks (41 percent) … AT IOWA CENTRAL: Attended school located in Fort Dodge from 1996-98 … Lettered two seasons for the Tritons as a kicker/punter under coach Kevin Twait … 1997 season saw team go 9-2 and earn top-20 ranking … Earned 1997 second team JC Gridwire All-America honors … Also named special teams player of the year … Owns school record for longest field goal with a 52-yarder … Nailed 41 of 42 PAT attempts … HIGH SCHOOL: A 1996 graduate of Linn-Mar Marion HS … Lettered twice in football … Named second team all-state by Des Moines Register in 1995 as well as earning all-city and all-conference honors … Set conference records for most field goals in a season and longest in Mississippi Valley Conference at 41 yards … Also a talented soccer player who led Lions in scoring for three seasons … PERSONAL: Ray Cheetany was born on Dec. 12, 1977 … The son of Nazih and Malak Cheetany … Brother, Nader, plays semi-pro soccer for the Las Vegas Generals … Is interested in becoming a coach … Grew up in Iowa near the home of his punting hero – NFL great Reggie Roby … Major is social science studies.