PROVO -- Seven members of the BYU football team were named to the 2009 All-Mountain West Conference teams announced Tuesday while six other Cougars received honorable mention.
“The members of our team recognized with all-conference awards are very deserving,” BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “We have outstanding players who have helped us win 10 games this season, and I think that is reflected in the number of players receiving recognition for their contributions to our season.”
Senior tight end Dennis Pitta was a unanimous first-team selection and was joined on the first unit by senior defensive end Jan Jorgensen, junior running back Harvey Unga and sophomore offensive tackle Matt Reynolds. Pitta and Jorgensen earned the unique distinction of being first-team selections for the third time as both also earned top recognition in 2007 and 2008. They are two of only six players in league history to earn first-team honors three times during their respective careers.
Senior quarterback Max Hall, senior tight end Andrew George and junior safety Andrew Rich were named to the league’s second team. Cougars receiving honorable mention include senior linebacker Coleby Clawson, senior defensive end Brett Denney, senior safety Scott Johnson, senior center R.J. Willing, junior cornerback Brian Logan and freshman punter Riley Stephenson.
Pitta and TCU defensive lineman Jerry Hughes were the only unanimous selections this season, an honor both achieved last year as well. With Pitta’s selection, BYU has claimed first-team tight end honors the past five seasons with Pitta earning the past three awards following Jonny Harline’s back-to-back honors in 2005 and 2006.
This year BYU claimed both first- and second-team tight end accolades with George receiving second-team recognition. This marks the first time in MWC history both selections have been garnered by players from the same team.
After second-team honors last year, Unga led the MWC in rushing in 2009 to earn his place on the first team. Hall has earned all-conference selection each of his three seasons leading the BYU offense, receiving first-team accolades in 2007 and second-team recognition the past two seasons.
Reynolds, George and Rich are first-time selections to the All-MWC teams. Reynolds is only the second sophomore to earn first-team offensive lineman accolades since the inception of the MWC.
In addition to Pitta, Jorgensen and Hughes, three other student-athletes were repeat first-team all-conference selections from 2008, including TCU return specialist Jeremy Kerley, Utah offensive tackle Zane Beadles and UNLV wide receiver Ryan Wolfe. Wolfe joined Pitta and Jorgensen one of six three-time first-team honorees in MWC history.
TCU quarterback Andy Dalton was chosen as the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, while TCU’s Hughes was named MWC Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. TCU kick returner Jeremy Kerley earned the MWC Special Teams Player of the Year award, while Wyoming quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels was honored as the MWC Freshman of the Year. Gary Patterson of TCU was selected as the MWC Coach of the Year.
Of the 50 first- and second-team selections, 24 were seniors, 16 juniors and 10 sophomores. The first team had 16 seniors, six juniors and three sophomores. The 22 juniors on both teams eclipse the previous high of 21 in 2008.
The All-MWC teams and individual award winners were selected by a vote of the league’s head coaches and a media panel. Included below is more information about the BYU players honored and a complete list of All-MWC players earning recognition in 2009.
#32 DENNIS PITTA – BYU
SENIOR – ALL-MWC FIRST TEAM TIGHT END
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 1 nationally in total yards receiving by a tight end (784)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 1 nationally in total receptions by a tight end (57)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 1 nationally in receiving yards per game by a tight end (65.33)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 2 nationally in receptions per game by a tight end (4.75)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 3 nationally in touchdown receptions by a tight end (7)
-Finalist for the John Mackey Award (Top 3) as the nation’s top tight end
-Named John Mackey National Tight End of the Week (Oct. 13)
-Named Midseason All-America First Team by SI.com, Sporting News, CBS Sports.com and Rivals.com
-MWC Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 3)
-Leads BYU’s No. 12 passing offense in receptions (57), receiving yards (784), receiving yards per game (65.33), catches per game (4.75) and receiving tuchdowns (7)
- Earned National Tight End of the Week twice, and Honorable Mention Tight End of the Week five times during 2009 from College Football Performance Awards
#45 HARVEY UNGA – BYU
JUNIOR – ALL-MWC FIRST TEAM RUNNING BACK
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 37 nationally in rushing yards per game (92.4)
-No. 1 in MWC in total offense among non-quarterbacks (92.4)
-No. 1 running back and No. 4 overall in the MWC in All-Purpose Yards (102.0)
-No. 2 among non-kickers and No. 6 overall in scoring per game (6.0)
-No. 2 (tied) in MWC with 11 touchdowns (10 rushing, one receiving)
-Leads BYU with 1,016 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns while adding 106 yards receiving and one touchdown
-Averages 5.5 yards per carry and achieved a career-long run of 52 yards
-Has led BYU in rushing in every game he played this season, totaling five games over 100 yards
-Season-high 149 yards rushing at UNLV, the most recorded by a BYU player this season
-Rushed for 123 yards (5.9 yards per carry) against MWC’s top rushing defense and No. 3-rated overall TCU.
-Set BYU’s career rushing record against Air Force while achieving his third-straight 1,000 yard season
-Received Honorable Mention National Running Back of the Week twice by College Football Performance Awards
#70 MATT REYNOLDS – BYU
SOPHOMORE – ALL-MWC FIRST TEAM OFFENSIVE TACKLE
-Started every game at left tackle helping BYU to No. 13 national ranking and 10-2 record
-Has 63 knock-down blocks on the season
-Season-high 13 knock-down blocks in BYU’s win over Utah State
-Consistent passing grades throughout the season
-Helped BYU rank No. 1 in the MWC and No. 1 nationally in third-down conversions (55.48 percent)
-Helped BYU rank No. 1 in the MWC and No. 12 nationally in passing offense (288.92 yards/game)
-Helped BYU rank No. 2 in the MWC and No. 20 nationally in total offense (437.08 yards/game)
-Helped BYU rank No. 2 in the MWC and No. 13 nationally in scoring offense (34.75 ppg)
-Helped BYU rank No. 2 in the MWC and No. 13 (tied) nationally in first downs (273)
#84 JAN JORGENSEN – BYU
SENIOR – ALL-MWC FIRST TEAM DEFENSIVE END
-Team captain
-Named MWC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Wyoming which included six tackles, one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
-Totaled a season-high 10 tackles in BYU’s win over Air Force.
-Has started every game this season, adding to his current streak of 51 consecutive starts, every game of his collegiate career.
-No. 1 on the team with six sacks on the season, contributing to his career total of 28.5, tied for a MWC record
-No. 2 in MWC in total tackles by a defensive lineman (56)
-No. 2 (tied) in MWC in sacks during conference games (5)
-No. 8 (tied) in MWC and leads the team in tackles for loss (10.5)
-His 10.5 tackles for loss on the season give him 44 for his career—a new MWC record.
-Helped BYU rank 24th (tied) nationally and 2nd in MWC in rushing defense (112.0)
-Helped BYU rank 34th nationally and 4th in MWC in total defense (331.1)
-Named to 2009 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Mid-Season Watch List
#15 MAX HALL – BYU
SENIOR – ALL-MWC SECOND TEAM QUARTERBACK
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 3 nationally in pass efficiency (160.9)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 7 nationally in total passing yards (3,368)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 8 nationally in points responsible/game (16.00)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 9 nationally in passing yards/game (280.67)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 9 nationally completion percentage (70.3)
-No. 1 in MWC, No. 13 nationally in total offense (287.17 yards/game)
-Five-time MWC Offensive Player of the Week in 2009 for performances against No. 3 Oklahoma, Tulane, San Diego State, Wyoming and Air Force
-Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week and Davey O’Brien Quarterback of the Week (Sept. 5) and College Football Performance Awards National Player of the Week once, National Quarterback of the Week once, and Honorable Mention National Quarterback of the Week twice during 2009
-Set MWC single-season record with eight 300-yard passing games, breaking his own record of seven he shared with former BYU quarterbacks John Beck and Kevin Feterik and Wyoming’s Casey Bramlet
-Has thrown for 30 touchdowns to date, the fifth-best single-season total in MWC history. Hall holds the all-time mark with 35 touchdowns last season
-Has thrown for 3,368 yards to date, becoming only the second player in MWC history to pass for 3,000 or more yards three consecutive seasons
-Set the MWC single-game record for a senior quarterback with five touchdowns vs. Air Force. Hall holds the all-time BYU and MWC records with seven touchdowns vs. UCLA last year
#88 ANDREW GEORGE – BYU
SENIOR – ALL-MWC SECOND TEAM TIGHT END
-No. 2 in MWC, No. 22 nationally in total yards receiving by a tight end (362)
-No. 2 in MWC, No. 22 nationally in receiving yards per game by a tight end (30.2)
-No. 2 in MWC, No. 28 (tied) nationally in receptions by a tight end (26)
-No. 2 in MWC, No. 26 (tied) nationally in catches per game by a tight end (2.2)
-No. 2 in MWC, No. 6 (tied) nationally in receiving touchdowns by a tight end (5)
-No. 3 in MWC, No. 11 (tied) nationally in receiving yards per catch by a tight end (13.9)
-Key third-down target helping BYU lead the nation in third-down conversion percentage (55.5)
-Ranks 21st in the MWC overall among all receivers in receptions, total receiving yards, receptions per game, receiving yards per game and ranks No. 23 overall in receiving touchdowns
-Season-high 75 receiving yards in BYU win at San Diego State to set a career high
-Scored one of BYU’s two touchdowns in its upset over No. 3 Oklahoma
-Scored touchdown at New Mexico on two hours of sleep after the birth of his first child the night before in Provo
-Scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime against nationally ranked Utah
#22 ANDREW RICH – BYU
JUNIOR – SAFETY
-Started every game at strong safety helping BYU to No. 13 national ranking and 10-2 record
-MWC Defensive Player of the Week after forcing two fumbles to help BYU defeat No. 3 Oklahoma
-No. 2 in the MWC in total tackles among defensive backs and No. 14 overall (80)
-No. 2 (tied) in MWC with 4 interceptions with long return of 52 yards
-Career-high 12 tackles, including career-best 9 unassisted tackles against New Mexico
-Career-high 2 interceptions in the same game against Air Force
-Leads BYU in unassisted tackles (49), total tackles (80), interceptions (4), and forced fumbles (2-tied)
-Also has 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery
-Received Honorable Mention National Defensive Back of the Week by College Football Performance Awards three weeks this season, including last week after helping BYU defeat Utah in overtime
-Helped BYU rank 24th (tied) nationally and 2nd in MWC in rushing defense (112.0)
-Helped BYU rank 34th nationally and 4th in MWC in total defense (331.1)
-Helped BYU rank No. 35 (tied) nationally in scoring defense (21.7 ppg)
-Helped BYU rank 31st nationally and 3rd in MWC in passes intercepted (13)
#64 R.J. WILLING – BYU
SENIOR – ALL-MWC HONORABLE MENTION CENTER
-Started every game at center helping BYU to No. 13 national ranking and 10-2 record
-Run blocking has helped BYU running back Harvey Unga lead the MWC in rushing
-Has 78 knock-down blocks on the season
-Season-high 15 knock-down blocks in BYU’s win over Utah State
-Consistent passing grades throughout the season
-Helped BYU rank No. 1 in the MWC and No. 1 nationally in third-down conversions (55.48 percent)
-Helped BYU rank No. 1 in the MWC and No. 12 nationally in passing offense (288.92 yards/game)
-Helped BYU rank No. 2 in the MWC and No. 20 nationally in total offense (437.08 yards/game)
-Helped BYU rank No. 2 in the MWC and No. 13 nationally in scoring offense (34.75 ppg)
-Helped BYU rank No. 2 in the MWC and No. 13 (tied) nationally in first downs (273)
#92 BRETT DENNEY – BYU
SENIOR – ALL-MWC HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSIVE END
-Started every game at defensive end helping BYU to No. 13 national ranking and 10-2 record
-Helped BYU rank No. 2 in the MWC and No. 24 (tied) nationally in rushing defense (112.0)
-Helped BYU rank No. 35 (tied) nationally in scoring defense (21.7 ppg)
-His 2.5 sacks is third on the team and helps BYU rank No. 3 in the MWC in sacks (25)
-Totaled 41 tackles, including 16 unassisted in 12 games
-Career-high 13 tackles against Air Force is the most tackles in a game by a BYU player this season
-Has 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback hurries, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery
-Set new career highs this season with 11 assisted tackles, 13 total tackles and tied for sacks (1).
#41 COLEBY CLAWSON – BYU
SENIOR – ALL-MWC HONORABLE MENTION LINEBACKER
-No. 2 (tied) in MWC in sacks during conference games (5)
-Has recorded a sack in five games this season
-Credited with a season-high nine tackles in BYU’s win over CSU
-No. 38 in MWC and fifth on the team in total tackles (60)
-No. 19 in MWC and second on the team in total tackles by a linebacker (60)
-Has started every game this season at outside linebacker
-Recorded two sacks in BYU’s win over UNLV for a combined loss of 18 yards, tying a career high
-Recorded two quarterback hurries against Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford in BYU’s win over No. 3 Oklahoma
-Helped BYU rank 24th (tied) nationally and 2nd in MWC in rushing defense (112.0)
-Helped BYU rank 34th nationally and 4th in MWC in total defense (331.1)
#21 SCOTT JOHNSON – BYU
JUNIOR – ALL-MWC HONORABLE MENTION SAFETY
-Team captain
-2009 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American
-Forced a fumble in the Cougars’ win over Air Force which resulted in a BYU scoring drive to go up 10-0
-Has started 11-of-12 games this season after sitting out the Florida State game due to injury
-Third on the team and No. 26 in MWC in total tackles (64), leading the team in four games this season
-No. 5 in MWC in total tackles by a defensive back (64)
-Totaled a career-high 11 tackles in the CSU and Air Force games
-Recorded the first two interceptions of his career in BYU’s win over UNLV, while picking off his third the following week at San Diego State
-Tied for No. 6 in MWC in interceptions (3) and No. 4 in conference games only
-No. 5 in MWC in passes defended (9)
-Helped BYU rank 24th (tied) nationally and 2nd in MWC in rushing defense (112.0)
-Helped BYU rank 34th nationally and 4th in MWC in total defense (331.1)
-Helped BYU rank No. 35 (tied) nationally in scoring defense (21.7 ppg)
-Helped BYU rank 31st nationally and 3rd in MWC in passes intercepted (13)
#7 BRIAN LOGAN – BYU
JUNIOR – ALL-MWC HONORABLE MENTION CORNERBACK
-No. 1 in the MWC, No 2 (tied) in the nation in passes defended with 17, six more than anyone else in the conference
-Has MWC-best 14 pass breakups in 12 games
-No. 8 (tied) in the MWC with 3 interceptions for 59 return yards
-Has 42 tackles, including 29 unassisted and 13 assisted
-Adds 4 tackles for loss from his corner position, including 2 in same game to help BYU defeat New Mexico
-Season-high and career-best 11 tackles against Florida State
-Started every game at field corner helping BYU to No. 13 national ranking and 10-2 record
-Helped BYU rank 34th nationally and 4th in MWC in total defense (331.1)
-Helped BYU rank No. 35 (tied) nationally in scoring defense (21.7 ppg)
-Helped BYU rank 31st nationally and 3rd in MWC in passes intercepted (13)
#99 RILEY STEPHENSON – BYU
FRESHMAN – ALL-MWC HONORABLE MENTION PUNTER
-Has 41.7 punting average on 38 punts
-Has helped BYU allow only 98 total punt return yards in 2009, or 6.5 yards per return
-Has seven punts of more than 50 yards
-Has seven punts placed inside the 20-yard line
-Season-long punt of 59 yards
-Has not had a punt blocked this season
-Averaged 51.0 yards on four punts vs. CSU
-Averaged 47.0 yards on six punts vs. TCU while not allowing a single return yard
-Named National Punter of the Week (Sept. 28) and Honorable Mention Kickoff Specialist twice by College Football Performance Awards
###
2009 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL AWARDS
First Team
Offense
Pos. Player Class School
QB Andy Dalton Jr. TCU
WR David Reed Sr. Utah
WR Ryan Wolfe** Sr. UNLV
RB Harvey Unga Jr. BYU
RB Eddie Wide Jr. Utah
TE Dennis Pitta**# Sr. BYU
OL Matt Reynolds So. BYU
OL Erik Cook Sr. New Mexico
OL Marshall Newhouse Sr. TCU
OL Marcus Cannon Jr. TCU
OL Zane Beadles* Sr. Utah
PK Ross Evans So. TCU
PR/KR Jeremy Kerley*# Jr. TCU
Defense
Pos. Player Class School
DL Jan Jorgensen** Sr. BYU
DL Jerry Hughes*# Sr. TCU
DL Koa Misi Sr. Utah
DL John Fletcher Sr. Wyoming
LB Carmen Messina So. New Mexico
LB Daryl Washington Sr. TCU
LB Stevenson Sylvester Sr. Utah
DB Reggie Rembert Jr. Air Force
DB Rafael Priest Sr. TCU
DB Nick Sanders Sr. TCU
DB Robert Johnson Sr. Utah
P Adam Miller Sr. New Mexico
*--Two-Time First-Team Selection
**--Three-Time First-Team Selection
#--Unanimous Selection
Second Team
Offense
Pos. Player Class School
QB Max Hall Sr. BYU
WR Vincent Brown Jr. San Diego State
WR DeMarco Sampson Sr. San Diego State
RB Joseph Turner Sr. TCU
RB Jared Tew Jr. Air Force
TE Andrew George Sr. BYU
OL Nick Charles Sr. Air Force
OL Peter Lusk Sr. Air Force
OL Caleb Schlauderaff Jr. Utah
OL Jake Kirkpatrick Jr. TCU
OL Zane Taylor Jr. Utah
PK Erik Soderberg So. Air Force
PR/KR Dion Morton Sr. Colorado State
Defense
Pos. Player Class School
DL Wayne Daniels Jr. TCU
DL Ben Garland Sr. Air Force
DL Johnathan Rainey So. New Mexico
DL Cory Grant Jr. TCU
LB Tank Carder So. TCU
LB Mychal Sisson So. Colorado State
LB Brian Hendricks So. Wyoming
DB Andrew Rich Jr. BYU
DB Anthony Wright So. Air Force
DB Tejay Johnson Jr. TCU
DB Chris Prosinski Jr. Wyoming
P Brian Stahovich So. San Diego State
Honorable Mention
Air Force: John Falgout, Sr., LB; Brandon Geyer, Sr., P; Ryan Gonzales, Sr., OL; Chris Thomas, Sr., DB.
BYU: Coleby Clawson, Sr., LB; Brett Denney, Sr., DL; Scott Johnson, Sr., DB; Brian Logan, Jr., DB; Riley Stephenson, Fr., P; R.J. Willing, Sr., OL.
Colorado State: Adrian Martinez, Sr., OL; Nick Oppenneer, Sr., DB; Cole Pemberton, Sr., OL; Shelley Smith, Sr., OL; Tim Walter, Sr., OL.
New Mexico: Kendall Briscoe, Sr., DL.
San Diego State: Davion Mauldin, Sr., KR; Jerry Milling, Sr., LB.
TCU: Evan Frosch, Jr., TE; Antoine Hicks, So., WR; Jeremy Kerley, Jr., WR; Ed Wesley, Fr., RB; Jimmy Young, Jr., WR.
UNLV: Jason Beauchamp, Sr., LB; Joe Hawley, Sr., OL; Matt Murphy, Jr., OL.
Utah: Joe Phillips, Jr., K; Sean Sellwood, Fr., P; Sealver Siliga, So., DL; Mike Wright, Sr., LB.
Wyoming: David Leonard, Jr., WR; Austin McCoy, So., P; Mitch Unrein, Sr., DL.