NEVADA
A talented player with great size who will compete for conference honors from one of the guard positions on the offensive line … Named fourth-team Preseason All-WAC by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview.

2008: Battled injuries but started half the season at one of the guard spots … Again proved to be a strong force on one of the best offensive lines in the WAC … Part of a unit that led the way for the second-best rushing attack in the nation and allowed just 16 sacks during the regular season … Converted from the tackle spot before the season.

2007: Emerged to start five of the first six games for Nevada until going down with a knee injury … Returned in a limited role at the end of the regular season and played in the New Mexico Bowl … Helped pave the way for the WAC's leading rushing attack and leading rusher in Luke Lippincott … Part of an offensive line unit that allowed just 25 sacks on the year.

2006: Redshirted his first year at Nevada.

HIGH SCHOOL
A graduate of Cochrane High School in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada … Was a standout defensive lineman on a team that won three provincial championships and went 38-0 … Named team MVP in football and track and field … Also was Offensive Lineman of the Year … Won nine letters, three each in football, basketball, and track and field (shot, discus) … Also part of one basketball and two track and field teams that won provincial titles … Won three shot put provincial titles … Was named Cochrane High School's Athlete of the Year … An all-star in basketball… Named Alberta's Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

PERSONAL
Born March 9, 1987 in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada … Son of Waldemar and Linda Bender  … Majoring in management.