University of Hawaii linebacker Darius Muasau’s most productive performance of his career earned the sophomore his first Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week award on Monday.

Muasau led the Rainbow Warriors with a career-high 18 tackles — including 12 solo stops and 21⁄2 tackles for loss — in the Rainbow Warriors’ 38-21 win over UNLV at Aloha Stadium. Muasau’s total in UH’s regular-season finale was the program’s highest in a game since linebacker Solomon Elimimian, the program’s all-time leader in tackles, racked up 20 against Utah State in 2007.

“He’s kind of a throwback-type of (linebacker), he loves playing this game,” UH coach Todd Graham said after Saturday’s game. “He is so talented and he’s so instinctive, he’s really a special player. … He’s a guy that when I watch him he’s just enjoyable to watch because he loves the game and plays it with great passion.”

Muasau recorded at least 10 tackles in six of UH’s eight games this season and finished the regular season leading the MWC with 95 total tackles and an average of 11.9 per game. His 63 solo tackles leads the nation and his average ranks fifth. He also leads the team with 81⁄2 tackles for loss, including 31⁄2 sacks.

The Mililani graduate is the first UH player to pick up the conference’s weekly defensive award since Jahlani Tavai, now a member of the Detroit Lions, earned the honor in 2016.

Muasau will have an opportunity to add to his season total when the Rainbow Warriors (4-4) face Houston (3-4) in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 24 in Frisco, Texas.