Five Cougars Named to All-MWC First Team, Four to Second Team
PROVO -- Five members of the BYU football team were named to the 2008 All-Mountain West Conference First Team on Wednesday while four others earned All-MWC Second Team honors. Two Cougars received honorable mention.
Junior wide receiver Austin Collie, junior tight end Dennis Pitta and senior offensive linemen Ray Feinga and Dallas Reynolds were named to the first-team offense, while junior defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen was named to the first-team defense. Pitta and TCU defensive lineman Jerry Hughes were the only unanimous selections on this year’s teams. With Pitta’s selection, BYU has claimed first-team tight end honors the past four seasons with Pitta earning back-to-back recognition after Jonny Harline accomplished the feat in 2005 and 2006.
Fellow Cougars Feinga, Reynolds and Jorgensen joined Pitta and Utah’s Louie Sakoda as the only MWC student-athletes to repeat as first-team members in 2008. Collie, a second-team selection last season, earned his place on the first team this year after leading the nation in receiving yards with a BYU single-season record 1,419 receiving yards. The Cougars placed a league-high four players on the first-team offense along with Utah.
BYU junior quarterback Max Hall, sophomore running back Harvey Unga, senior offensive lineman Travis Bright and senior linebacker David Nixon earned second-team recognition while senior defensive back David Tafuna and senior punter CJ Santiago received honorable mention.
Hughes was named the MWC Defensive Player of the Year while Sakoda, Utah quarterback Brian Johnson and Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham garnered the individual awards for special teams, offense and coaching. Air Force quarterback Tim Jefferson was named the MWC Freshman of the Year.
Of the 50 players named to the first and second teams, 26 were seniors, 21 were juniors and three were sophomores. The first team included 16 seniors, seven juniors and two sophomores with BYU claiming three of the seven juniors on the first team.
The All-MWC teams and individual award winners were selected by a vote of the league’s head coaches and media panel. Included below is more information about the BYU players honored and a complete list of all MWC players earning recognition in 2008.
All-Mountain West Conference First Team (Wide Receiver)
-Finalist for the Biletnikoff Award (Top 10)
-MWC Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 13)
-No. 1 nationally in total yards receiving (1,419)
-No. 2 nationally in receiving yards per game (118.25)
-No. 2 nationally in receptions (95)
-No. 4 nationally in touchdown receptions (15)
-No. 4 nationally in receptions/game (7.92)
-No. 2 in MWC, No. 15 nationally in all-purpose yards/game (159.5)
-No. 1 in MWC (non-kickers) in scoring (7.5 ppg) and tied for 24th nationally
-Has totaled 90 points on 15 touchdowns to lead BYU and the MWC
-Current streak of 10-straight 100-yard receiving games
-BYU single-season record with 1,419 receiving yards
-Set BYU career receiving record with 3,136 total yards
-Topped the MWC in total receiving yards, yards per game, receptions, receptions per game and receiving touchdowns
-Set MWC single-season records in TD catches (15), consecutive 100-yard games (10), 100 yard games in a season (10) and TD catches in MWC games (10)
#32 Dennis Pitta
All-Mountain West Conference First Team (Tight End)
-Semifinalist for the John Mackey Award (Top 8)
-Watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award and Biletnikoff Award
-Twice named John Mackey National Tight End of the Week
-MWC Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 3)
-Second in the nation (among tight ends) in receiving yards (1,025) and third in receiving yards/game (85.42)
-Fourth in the nation (among tight ends) in total receptions (78) and fourth in receptions/game (6.50)
-Career-high 213 yards on 11 receptions against N. Iowa (new MWC receiving record for a tight end)
-Career-high 12 catches against CSU (BYU season high, second most by a BYU tight end in school history)
-Second on the team, third in the MWC in receptions/game (6.5)
-Third on the team and ninth in the MWC in all-purpose yards/game (85.4)
-Set a new BYU and MWC single-season record for receptions by a tight end (78), sixth-highest single season total in BYU history
#65 Dallas Reynolds
All-Mountain West Conference First Team (Offensive Line)
-Watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy
-Four-year starter and key team leader at center who moved to the position this year
-Has started all 12 games at center for BYU this season, leading the nation in consecutive starts with 50
-Has played over 750 plays on the season
-Consistent passing grades throughout the season
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 7 nationally in passing offense (308.9 yards/game)
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 18 nationally in total offense (444.8 yards/game)
-Helped BYU rank second in the MWC and No. 19 in the nation in scoring offense (35.3 ppg)
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 11 nationally in first downs (292)
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 3 nationally in third-down conversions (55.9 percent)
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 10 (tied) in fourth-down conversions (70 percent)
#76 Ray Feinga
All-Mountain West Conference First Team (Offensive Line)
-Watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy
-Has played over 700 plays on the season
-Consistent passing grades throughout the season
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 7 nationally in passing offense (308.9 yards/game)
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 18 nationally in total offense (444.8 yards/game)
-Helped BYU rank second in the MWC and No. 19 in the nation in scoring offense (35.3 ppg)
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 11 nationally in first downs (292)
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 3 nationally in third-down conversions (55.9 percent)
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 10 (tied) in fourth-down conversions (70 percent)
-Has started all 12 games at guard for BYU this season
#84 Jan Jorgensen
All-Mountain West Conference First Team (Defensive Line)
-Lott Trophy Semifinalist
-ARA Sportsmanship Award Finalist
-Watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award
-Team Captain
-Became the MWC career sack leader this season (22.5)
-Leads the team and is tied for sixth in the league in total sacks (5) and sacks/game (0.45) with all five being solo sacks
-Totaled two forced fumbles on the year
-Leads the team with 11 quarterback hurries
-Tied for third on the team in tackles for loss with 8.5
-Has started all 12 games for BYU this season
-Had a season-high 11 tackles against New Mexico
-Sealed BYU win by blocking game-tying PAT attempt at Washington
#15 Max Hall
All-Mountain West Conference Second Team (Quarterback)
-Semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award (Top 13) and preseason All-America and Heisman Trophy candidate
-Four-time MWC Offensive Player of the Week in 2008 who has passed for more than 300 yards in six games this season
-Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 13) and ESPN helmet sticker recipient for his performance against UCLA
-Set the MWC single-season record with 34 touchdowns, No. 4 all-time at BYU
-Set the MWC single-game record and tied the BYU record with seven touchdowns vs. UCLA
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 6 nationally completion percentage (69.6)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 7 nationally in total passing yards (3,629)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 7 nationally in completions (300)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 7 nationally in passing yards/game (302.4)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 7 nationally in points responsible/game (18.83)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 8 nationally in completions per game (25.00)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 10 nationally in total offense (310.7 yards/game)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 13 nationally in pass efficiency (160.3)
#45 Harvey Unga
All-Mountain West Conference Second Team (Running Back)
-Watch list for the Doak Walker Award
-Leads the team, ranks fourth in the MWC and 41st nationally in rushing yards/game (88.4)
-Also ranks fourth in the MWC in total yards (1061)
-Second on the team and fifth in the MWC in all-purpose yards/game (113.7)
-Fifth in the MWC and second among non-kickers in scoring (7.2 ppg)
-Has totaled 86 points and 14 touchdowns, both of which are second on the team
-Second on the team in total offense (88.4 yards/game)
-Third on the team in receiving yards/game (25.2)
-Has led BYU in rushing in every game this season, totaling three games over 100 yards
-Season-high 136 yards rushing at Washington, the most recorded by a BYU player this season
-Longest rush on the year a BYU-best 40 yards at Colorado State
#74 Travis Bright
All-Mountain West Conference Second Team (Offensive Lineman)
-Team Captain
-Has played over 750 plays on the season
-Consistent passing grades throughout the season
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 7 nationally in passing offense (308.9 yards/game)
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 18 nationally in total offense (444.8 yards/game)
-Helped BYU rank second in the MWC and No. 19 in the nation in scoring offense (35.3 ppg)
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 11 nationally in first downs (292)
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 3 nationally in third-down conversions (55.9 percent)
-Helped BYU lead the MWC and rank No. 10 (tied) in fourth-down conversions (70 percent)
-Has started all 12 games at guard for BYU this season
#43 David Nixon
All-Mountain West Conference Second Team (Linebacker)
-Team Captain
-MWC Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 22)
-Three interceptions is tied for the most by a MWC linebacker this season and tied for fourth overall (0.27/game), with a BYU best three picks – returning one for a touchdown
-Totaled two forced fumbles on the year
-Tied for 17th in the MWC in tackles/game (7.1)
-Recorded 41 solo and 44 assisted tackles for a total of 85 to rank second on the team
-Ranks second on the team and ninth in the league in total tackles for loss (10.5)
-Second on the team with five quarterback hurries
-14 tackles vs. San Diego State is the most by a BYU player this year
-Has started all 12 games for BYU this season
-Has led BYU in tackles in five games this season and posted double-digit tackles in three games
-Forced fumbles against Washington and Wyoming and blocked a field goal against Air Force
#23 David Tafuna
All-Mountain West Conference Honorable Mention (Defensive Back)
-Started 11 games, missing one due to injury
-Grabbed one of BYU’s nine interceptions on the year
-Season-high nine tackles twice (vs. New Mexico, Air Force)
-45th in the MWC in tackles/game (4.7)
-Is eighth on the team with 52 total tackles (28 solo and 24 assisted)
-Tied for fourth on the team in solo tackles
#26 CJ Santiago
All-Mountain West Conference Honorable Mention (Punter)
-MWC Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 22)
-Has helped BYU lead the conference and rank 20th nationally in net punting yards (36.9)
-Second in the MWC in punting average (42.1 yards)
-Has placed 16 punts inside the 20-yard line
-Has made seven kicks of more than 50 yards
-Season-long punt of 62 yards
-Has not had a punt blocked this season
-Averaged punts of 50.5 yards against UCLA
2008 All-MWC TEAMS AND INDIVIDUAL HONORS
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Brian Johnson, Sr., QB, Utah
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jerry Hughes, Jr., DE, TCU
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Louie Sakoda, Sr., PK/P, Utah
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Tim Jefferson, QB, Air Force
COACH OF THE YEAR
Kyle Whittingham, Utah
ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL FIRST-TEAM
Offense
Pos. Player Cl. School
QB Brian Johnson Sr. Utah
WR Austin Collie Jr. BYU
WR Ryan Wolfe* Jr. UNLV
RB Gartrell Johnson III Sr. Colorado State
RB Devin Moore Sr. Wyoming
TE Dennis Pitta*# Jr. BYU
OL Ray Feinga* Sr. BYU
OL Dallas Reynolds* Sr. BYU
OL Blake Schlueter Sr. TCU
OL Zane Beadles Jr. Utah
OL Robert Conley Sr. Utah
PK Louie Sakoda Sr. Utah
PR/KR Jeremy Kerley So. TCU
Defense
Pos. Player Cl. School
DL Jake Paulson Sr. Air Force
DL Jan Jorgensen* Jr. BYU
DL Jerry Hughes# Jr. TCU
DL Paul Kruger So. Utah
LB Robert Henson Sr. TCU
LB Jason Phillips* Sr. TCU
LB Ward Dobbs Sr. Wyoming
DB Glover Quin Sr. New Mexico
DB Brice McCain Sr. Utah
DB Stephen Hodge Sr. TCU
DB Sean Smith Jr. Utah
P Louie Sakoda* Sr. Utah
*--Two-Time First-Team Selection
#--Unanimous Selection
ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL SECOND-TEAM
Offense
Pos. Player Cl. School
QB Max Hall Jr. BYU
WR Rashaun Greer Jr. Colorado State
WR Freddie Brown Sr. Utah
RB Harvey Unga So. BYU
RB Rodney Ferguson Sr. New Mexico
TE Kory Sperry Sr. Colorado State
OL Nick Charles Jr. Air Force
OL Travis Bright Sr. BYU
OL Shelley Smith Jr. Colorado State
OL Erik Cook Jr. New Mexico
OL Marshall Newhouse Jr. TCU
PK Ryan Harrison Sr. Air Force
PR/KR Ian Clark Jr. New Mexico
Defense
Pos. Player Cl. School
DL Cody Moore Sr. TCU
DL Matt Panfil Sr. TCU
DL Koa Misi Jr. Utah
DL John Fletcher Jr. Wyoming
LB David Nixon Sr. BYU
LB Jason Beauchamp Jr. UNLV
LB Stevenson Sylvester Jr. Utah
DB Chris Thomas Jr. Air Force
DB DeAndre Wright Sr. New Mexico
DB Steven Coleman Sr. TCU
DB Rafael Priest Jr. TCU
P Anthony Hartz Jr. Colorado State
HONORABLE MENTION
Air Force:
Hunter Altman; Sr., LB, Chris Campbell, Jr., OL; Ken Lamendola, So., LB; Andrew Pipes, Sr., C; Reggie Rembert; So.; KR.
BYU:
C.J. Santiago, Sr., P; David Tafuna, Sr., DB.
Colorado State:
Ricky Brewer, So., LB; Mychal Sisson, Fr., LB; Jason Smith, Sr., PK; Tim Walter, Jr., C.
New Mexico:
Zach Arnett, Sr., LB; Herbert Felder, Sr., LB.
San Diego State:
Russell Allen, Sr., LB; Corey Boudreaux, Sr., DB; B.J. Williams, So., DE.
TCU:
Aaron Brown; Sr., K; Marcus Cannon, So., OL; Andy Dalton, So., QB; Anson Kelton, Fr., P; Nick Sanders; Jr., CB; James Vess, Sr., NT; Jimmy Young, So., WR.
UNLV:
Johan Asiata, Sr., OL; Casey Flair, Sr., WR, Frank Summers, Sr., RB; Malo Tuamua; So., DL.
Utah:
Greg Newman, Sr., DL; David Reed, Jr., KR; Zane Taylor, So., OL; Mike Wright; Jr., LB.
Wyoming:
Tim Bond; Sr., C; Kyle Howard, Sr., OL; Chris Prosinski, So., DB; Mitch Unrein, Jr., DL.