Mountain West Announces 2018 Football All-Conference Teams and Individual Honors

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR – BRETT RYPIEN, SENIOR, QB, BOISE STATE

First Boise State player to earn MW Offensive Player of the Year honors since Kellen Moore in 2011.

Becomes the 14th quarterback to win the award and first since Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson in 2014.

Helped lead the Broncos to their second consecutive MW Football Championship Game and a 10-2 overall record (7-1 MW).

Finished the regular season ranked top 10 nationally in passing touchdowns (8th; 29), passing yards (9th; 3,580) completion percentage (10th; 68.8%) and passing yards per game (10th; 298.3). Is the only MW signal-caller to rank in the Conference top 3 in every major passing category.

Tied for the MW lead for 300-yard passing performances with seven.

Named MW Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 10.

Orchestrated the Mountain West’s No. 2 passing attack, averaging 305.9 yards per game. The Broncos also rank second in total offense (468.7).

Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist, an award given annually to a player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 10.

Set Mountain West career records for total passing yards (13,456), completions (1,021) and 300-yard passing games (21).

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR – JEFF ALLISON, JUNIOR, LB, FRESNO STATE

Is the second Fresno State player to earn the MW Defensive Player of the Year honor and first since Phillip Thomas in 2012.

Helped lead the Bulldogs to their second consecutive MW Football Championship Game appearance and fourth overall.

Finished the regular season ranked fourth in the Mountain West with 109 total tackles. This figure leads Fresno State.

Ranks sixth in the Mountain West with 9.1 tackles per contest.

Led a Fresno State defense that ranks second nationally, limiting opponents to just 13.5 points per game. The Bulldogs defensive unit also led the nation in red zone defense (59.1%), while leading the Mountain West in total defense (321.7) and turnover margin per game (+1.17).

Recorded at least 10 tackles in five games this season, including a career-best 17 tackles at Nevada on Oct. 6.

Also recorded 5.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions on the season.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR – COOPER ROTHE, JUNIOR, PLACEKICKER, WYOMING

Becomes the first Wyoming player in MW history to garner Special Teams Player of the Year accolades.

Just the fourth place-kicker to earn the honor and the first since Air Force’s Will Conant in 2014.

One of three national finalists for the 2018 Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate placekicker.

Held the nation's longest streak of consecutive field goals made this season with 15 straight before his first miss of the season from 43 yards against San José State in the 10th game of the season.

Leads the nation with a 94.1 field goal percentage (16-of-17) and ranks third in the MW (24 nationally) in field goals per game (1.33). Also, was a perfect 28-of-28 on point after attempts.

Of the 16 field goals this season, five have come from 20-29 yards, six from 30-39 yards, four from 40-49 yards and one from 50+ yards.

Made multiple field goals in five contests, including a 3-for-3 performance against nationally-ranked Utah State.

Leads the Cowboys in scoring with 76 total points.

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR – TOA TAUA, RB, NEVADA

First Nevada player to earn an “of the year” honor since the Wolf Pack joined the league prior to the 2012 season.

Becomes the eighth running back to be named Mountain West Freshman of the Year and first since San Diego State’s Ronnie Hillman in 2010.

Led the Wolf Pack with 816 rushing yards and six touchdowns. The 816 rushing yards are 10th-most among freshmen running backs nationally.

In the Mountain West, led all freshmen in total rushing yards (816) and rushing yards per game (68.0).

Ranked fifth in the league in rushing yards per carry (5.23).

Completed four passes for 93 yards on the season, including a 73-yard touchdown pass against Portland State on Aug. 31.

Tied for fifth on the team with 20 receptions for 194 yards and a touchdown.

Helped lead Nevada to a 7-5 regular-season record, its best record since 2014 (7-5).

COACH OF THE YEAR – MATT WELLS, UTAH STATE

Selected as Mountain West Coach of the Year after leading Utah State to a 10-2 overall record, including 7-1 in Conference play.

Led the Aggies to their first 10-win season since 2014 and a program record 10-game win streak.

Guided one of the most prolific offenses in the nation, ranking top 20 nationally in scoring offense (3rd; 47.2), total offense (11th; 492.5) and passing offense (20th; 288.8).

The Aggies were ranked as high as No. 21 in the College Football Playoff Rankings (Nov. 20) and No. 13 in the Associated Press Top 25 (Nov. 11).

This is the second MW Coach of the Year honor for Wells (2013).

NOTABLES

Only three student-athletes were repeat MW First Team All-Conference selections from 2017 (Boise State DL Curtis Weaver , Fresno State LB Jeff Allison and Wyoming defensive back Andrew Wingard ).

, Fresno State LB and Wyoming defensive back ). Wingard becomes the 16th player overall to be named to the all-conference first team in three consecutive seasons.

Boise State has had at least one first team All-Conference offensive lineman in each of its eight seasons in the MW.

Utah State head coach Matt Wells is the fifth coach to win MW Coach of the Year honors on multiple occasions.

is the fifth coach to win MW Coach of the Year honors on multiple occasions. After winning the 2018 MW Freshman of the Year honor, Toa Taua (Nevada – Running Back) is the first major award winner from Nevada.

(Nevada – Running Back) is the first major award winner from Nevada. KeeSean Johnson (Fresno State – Wide Receiver) and Tariq Thompson (San Diego State – Defensive Back) are repeat honorees on the second team.

(Fresno State – Wide Receiver) and (San Diego State – Defensive Back) are repeat honorees on the second team. Saturday’s MW Championship Game between Fresno State and Boise State will feature 11 first-team selections and seven second-team honorees.

2018 MOUNTAIN WEST AWARD WINNERS

2018 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL FIRST-TEAM

2018 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL SECOND-TEAM

2018 HONORABLE MENTION

– The Mountain West announced today its 2018 All-Conference football teams and individual award winners, as chosen by the 12 head coaches and a select media panel. Boise State senior quarterbackis being honored as the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, while Fresno State junior linebackerhas been named the MW Defensive Player of the Year. Wyoming junior placekickeris the MW Special Teams Player of the Year. Nevada running backhas been selected as the MW Freshman of the Year andof Utah State is the MW Coach of the Year.Brett Rypien, Sr., QB, Boise StateJeff Allison, Jr., LB, Fresno StateCooper Rothe, Jr., PK, WyomingToa Taua, RB, NevadaMatt Wells, Utah StateQB - Brett Rypien, Sr., Boise StateWR - John Ursua, Jr., Hawai‘iWR - Preston Williams, Jr., Colorado StateRB - Nico Evans, Sr., WyomingRB - Alexander Mattison, Jr., Boise StateTE - Josh Oliver, Sr., San José StateOL - Ezra Cleveland, So., Boise StateOL - Keith Ismael, So., San Diego StateOL - Quin Ficklin, Sr., Utah StateOL - Christian Cronk, Sr., Fresno StateOL - John Molchon, Jr., Boise StatePK - Cooper Rothe, Jr., WyomingPR/KR - Savon Scarver, So., Utah StateDL - Curtis Weaver, So., Boise StateDL - Mykal Walker, Jr., Fresno StateDL - Jabril Frazier, Sr., Boise StateDL - Korey Rush, Sr., NevadaLB - Kyahva Tezino, Jr., San Diego StateLB - Jeff Allison, Jr., Fresno StateLB - Malik Reed, Sr., NevadaDB - Tyler Horton, Sr., Boise StateDB - Tank Kelly, Sr., Fresno StateDB - Dakari Monroe, Sr., San José StateDB - Andrew Wingard, Sr., WyomingP - Ryan Stonehouse, So., Colorado StateQB - Jordan Love, So., Utah StateWR - KeeSean Johnson, Sr., Fresno StateWR - Sean Modster, Sr., Boise StateRB - Lexington Thomas, Sr., UNLVRB - Darwin Thompson, Jr., Utah StateTE - Jared Rice, Jr., Fresno StateOL - Micah St. Andrew, Sr., Fresno StateOL - Aaron Jenkins, Sr., New MexicoOL - Ryan Pope, Sr., San Diego StateOL - Roman Andrus, Sr., Utah StateOL - Griffin Landrum, Sr., Air ForcePK - John Baron II, Sr., San Diego StatePR/KR - Marcus Hayes, Fr., New MexicoDL - Carl Granderson, Sr., WyomingDL - Jordan Jackson, So., Air ForceDL - Kaimana Padello, Jr., Hawai‘iDL - Bryson Bridges, Sr., San José StateLB - David Woodward, So., Utah StateLB - Josh Watson, Sr., Colorado StateLB - Tipa Galeai, Jr., Utah StateDB - Juju Hughes, Jr., Fresno StateDB - Mike Bell, Jr., Fresno StateDB - Tariq Thompson, So., San Diego StateDB - Jontrell Rocquemore, Sr., Utah StateP - Blake Cusick, Jr., Fresno State: Jeremy Fejedelem, Jr., DB.: Durrant Miles, Sr., DL; Kekoa Nawahine, Jr., DB; Avery Williams, So, RS/DB.: None: Jaron Bryant, Jr., DB; Jasad Haynes, Jr, DL; George Helmuth, Sr., LB; Marcus McMaryion, Sr., QB.: Zeno Choi, Sr., DL; Rojesterman Farris II, Jr.; DB; Cole McDonald, So., QB; Jahlani Tavai, Sr., LB; Solo Vaipulu, Fr., OL.: Dameon Baber, Sr., DB; Daniel Brown, Jr., DB; Quinton Conaway, Jr., P; Sean Krepsz, Sr., OL; McLane Mannix, So., WR; Jake Nelson, Jr., OL Asauni Rufus, Sr., DB.: Aaron Blackwell, Jr., DL; Tyson Dyer, So., P; Marcus Hayes, Fr., DB.: Parker Baldwin, Sr., DB; Noble Hall, Sr., DL; Brandon Heicklen, Jr., P; Kahale Warring, Jr., TE; Juwan Washington, Jr., RB.: Ethan Aguayo, Jr., LB; Thai Cottrell, Sr., RS; Bryce Crawford, Sr., P; Boogie Roberts, Sr., DL.: Nathan Jacobson, Sr., OL; Roger Mann, Sr., DL; Justin Polu, Jr., OL.: Adewale Adeoye, Sr., DL; Rob Castaneda, Sr., OL; Dominik Eberle, Jr., PK; Gaje Ferguson, Sr., DB; Fua Leilua, Jr., DL; Dax Raymond, Jr., TE; Christopher Unga, Jr., DL; DJ Williams, Jr., DB. Ron’Quavion Tarver, Sr., WR; Sean Taylor, Sr., OL.: Tyler Hall, Jr., DB; Logan Wilson, Jr., LB.