The offseason has not been too kind to the UNLV football program, but the team did get some good news on Friday.
As reported by Las Vegas Sun, the NCAA has awarded wide receiver Maika Mataele an extra year of eligibility, giving UNLV a little more depth at the receiver position in 2014. The Hawaii native originally attended Oregon State but transferred to UNLV. He did not play football for Oregon State or in his first year at UNLV, which was a key part in the NCAA’s decision-making.
Because Mataele spent two years in college without playing a down of football, the NCAA decided it was fair to give him a retroactive redshirt year. This gives Mataele one extra year of eligibility to work with.
Sometimes the NCAA can make the right call, and this is just more proof of that.
Mataele recorded 36 catches for 411 yards and three touchdowns in 2013.