NEVADA
Is expected to compete again for conference and national honors after putting up one of the finest seasons by a running back at Nevada in 2008 … Named to the Watch List for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s top running back … Named first-team Preseason All-WAC by The Sporting News … Named first-team Preseason All-WAC by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview … Named first-team Preseason All-WAC by Athlon Sports … Named first-team Preaseason All-WAC by Lindy’s.

2008: Entered the season fourth on the depth chart at running back but flourished during his sophomore campaign ... The hard-nosed runner has established himself as one of the most productive backs on the West Coast and as one of the top rushers in the nation ... Earned first-team All-WAC honors after leading the conference in rushing with an average of 118.3 yards per game, 25 ypg ahead of teammate Colin Kaepernick ... Finished the season with 1,521 yards, which is the fourth-best single-season in Nevada history ... Tied for first in touchdown scoring (8.0 ppg) and was third in the conference in all-purpose yardage at 137.2 yards per game … Began the year with a 100-yard effort against Grambling State in the opener … Finished the season with eight 100-yard performances … Best game of the season was a 263-performance at Fresno State – the sixth-best single-game output in Nevada history … Scored 18 touchdowns on the season, tied for second all-time at Nevada … His 15 rushing touchdowns in the season is tied for third all-time at Nevada … Was a dependable pass-catcher out of the backfield with 30 receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns … His accomplishments landed him in the top 10 on Nevada’s single-season lists for: conventional scoring and touchdowns (t-2nd), rushing yards (4th), and rushing touchdowns (t-3rd).

2007: Played in eight games and earned first varsity letter … Had 19 carries for 112 yards and first career touchdown … Best outing was a nine-carry, 71-yard performance against Nicholls State … First touchdown came on an 11-yard run against Idaho.

2006: Redshirted his first season at Nevada.

HIGH SCHOOL
A graduate of Cabrillo High School in Lompoc, Calif. … Earned All-CIF and all-conference honors … Led the Los Padres League in rushing and was named the league's Most Valuable Player … Had 260 carries for 1,709 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior … Averaged 6.6 yards per catch … Was also second in the league in scoring … Lettered four year in football and two year in track and field.

PERSONAL
Born Vailala Lima Taua on Oct. 11, 1988 in Fountain Valley, Calif. … Son of Faletui and Taua Taua … Has five younger siblings … Majoring in general studies … List most exciting sports moment as beating rival Lompoc High as a senior in 2006.