The UNLV football team will open the 2020 season shorthanded, as the Mountain West suspended two Rebels for the start of the campaign for their roles in a post-game fight following the season finale at UNR.
Giovanni Fauolo, a tight end who will be a senior in 2020, was suspended two games for swinging his helmet at a spectator as the players and fans jousted along the railing behind the end zone after UNLV walked off with a 33-30 overtime win. Tight end Noah Bean, who will be a junior, was suspended for one game. The Mountain West announced the suspensions on Monday.
Fauolo and Bean will both miss the first game at Allegiant Stadium, as the Rebels are set to host Cal in the 2020 opener.
Bean and Fauolo caught 22 passes apiece in 2019, with Bean racking up 336 yards and Fauolo going for 295 yards. Both players hauled in a pair of touchdowns.
New UNLV coach Marcus Arroyo did not comment on the suspensions. Athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois released a brief statement, saying "we accept the final decisions" of the Mountain West.
After the Rebels won in overtime on Nov. 30, UNR defensive back Austin Arnold approached UNLV quarterback Kenyon Oblad from behind and punched an unsuspecting and helmet-less Oblad in the face. As Oblad crumpled to the ground, UNLV players came to his defense and began pushing and shoving with Arnold and other UNR players. The fracas moved toward the stands, and UNR fans threw objects onto the field. Video also showed fans reaching onto the field and ripping the helmet off at least one UNLV player.
In addition to the suspensions, the Mountain West also issued a curious public reprimand to UNLV receiver Steve Jenkins. The freshman receiver caught the game-winning touchdown and then ran the length of the field in front of the UNR sideline in celebration, but neither team seemed to take umbrage with Jenkins' sprint. In fact, Jenkins was on the opposite end of the field and almost in the tunnel heading toward the locker room when Arnold sparked the brawl by punching Oblad.
Arnold was suspended two games by the Mountain West.
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
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