University of Hawaii linebacker Corey Paredes was named Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week today.

Paredes led the Warriors with nine tackles and forced two fumbles in their 27-21 upset of 19th-ranked Nevada Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

One fumble set up a score in the first period and another saved a touchdown in the third period.

In both instances, he forced Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick to fumble.

In the third period, Kaepernick broke free from a blitz and headed to the corner of the goal line. But Paredes hustled and knocked the ball from Kaepernick’s hand as the quarterback was reaching out to the goal line. The ball bounced into the end zone and then out of bounds, giving UH the ball on a touchback.

Hawaii (5-2 overall and 3-0 in the WAC) travels to Utah State this week for another WAC game.