Idaho's Lupeamanu, WSU duo tabbed for Polynesian list

MOSCOW — Idaho senior defensive lineman Tueni Lupeamanu, as well as Washington State safety Shalom Luani and defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa were named to the 2016 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch list.

Lupeamanu, Herriman (Utah) High School, returns to the defensive line as a full-time starter. He totaled 40 tackles in 2015 — 25 solo and 15 assists to go with three quarterback hurries, one pass breakup, one sack and one fumble recovery.

There are 38 players on the Watch List, which is in its third season. The first two recipients were Marcus Mariota and Ronny Stanley — both first-round draft choices. Former Vandal Mike Iupati, a first-round draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers (now with Arizona) and a consensus All-American following the 2009 season, is a member of the Polynesian College Football Hall of Fame.

Luani, a senior from Masausi, American Samoa, was also named to the watch list prior to last season. Luani earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention after recording 90 tackles, two forced fumbles, 10 pass breakups and a team-best four interceptions including one returned for a touchdown. Luani earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week and Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week after tallying 11 tackles and two interceptions in the win over Oregon State. He clinched the double-overtime win at Oregon with an interception and later sealed the Sun Bowl victory over Miami.

Mata’afa, a redshirt-sophomore from Lahaina, Hawaii, earned Freshman All-America First-Team honors from USA Today and All-Pac-12 honorable mention last season after tying for the team lead with seven sacks. Mata’afa recorded 11 tackles-for-loss during his freshman campaign and capped the season earning Outstanding Lineman of the Sun Bowl in the win over Miami.

This year’s list will be narrowed to five finalists, which will be revealed Nov. 17. The winner will be announced Dec. 7 with the awards ceremony scheduled for Jan. 20, 2017 in conjunction with Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend.