July 23, 2007
Complete Media Blitz Coverage
LAS VEGAS – The University of New Mexico was picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West Conference in a poll of MWC media members released this morning at the 2007 conference media day event at the Green Valley Ranch Resort. TCU (202 points) was selected to win the MWC title, receiving 18 of the 23 first place votes.
Defending Mountain West Conference champion BYU (178 points, three first place votes) was chosen to finish second, while Utah (165 points, two first place votes) was picked third. New Mexico (120 points) was followed by Wyoming (110 points), Colorado State (107 points), Air Force (62 points), San Diego State (56 points) and UNLV (35 points).
The Lobos also placed three on the preseason all-conference team. Senior wide receiver Travis Brown and junior tailback Rodney Ferguson were selected by the league’s media members after earning first team all-MWC honors in 2006. Junior cornerback DeAndre Wright, a second-team all-conference honoree last year, also earned preseason recognition.
TCU running back Aaron Brown (junior) was tabbed as the preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Horned Frog defensive end Tommy Blake (senior) was named preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Utah kicker/punter Louie Sakoda (junior) earned preseason Special Team Player of the Year honors and Colorado State linebacker Ricky Brewer was named preseason Freshman of the Year.
UNM was picked to finish fifth in the MWC and had one player (OL Robert Turner) selected to the preseason all-conference team in 2006.
New Mexico opens training camp on Aug. 2 at the UNM practice fields. The Lobos travel to UTEP on Sept. 1 for the season opener before welcoming New Mexico State for the home opener on Sept. 8.
2007 Mountain West Conference Preseason Poll
1. TCU (18 first place votes) – 202 points
2. BYU (3 first place votes) – 178 points
3. Utah (2 first place votes) – 165 points
4. New Mexico – 120 points
5. Wyoming – 110 points
6. Colorado State – 107 points
7. Air Force – 62 points
8. San Diego State – 56 points
9. UNLV – 35 points
2007 Preseason All-Mountain West Team
Offense
WR Travis Brown (Sr.) – New Mexico
WR Ryan Wolfe (So.) – UNLV
OL Seth Aulai (Sr.) – BYU
OL Dallas Reynolds (Jr.) – BYU
OL Matty Lindner (Sr.) – TCU
OL Jason Boone (Sr.) – Utah
OL Robert Conley (Jr.) – Utah
TE Wade Betschart (Sr.) – Wyoming
QB Brian Johnson (Jr.) – Utah
RB Rodney Ferguson (Jr.) – New Mexico
RB Aaron Brown (Jr.) – TCU
Defense
DL Jesse Nading (Sr.) – Colorado State
DL Tommy Blake (Sr.) – TCU
DL Chase Ortiz (Sr.) – TCU
DL/LB Beau Bell (Sr.) – UNLV
DL/LB Ward Dobbs (Jr.) – Wyoming
LB Drew Fowler (Sr.) – Air Force
LB Bryan Kehl (Sr.) – BYU
LB Jason Phillips (Jr.) – TCU
DB Quinn Gooch (Sr.) – BYU
DB DeAndre Wright (Jr.) – New Mexico
DB Brian Bonner (Sr.) – TCU
DB Julius Stinson (Sr.) – Wyoming
Specialists
P Jim Kaylor (Sr.) – Colorado State
PK Louie Sakoda (Jr.) – Utah
Ret. Brian Bonner (Sr.) – TCU
Offensive Player of the Year: Aaron Brown, Jr., RB, TCU
Defensive Player of the Year: Tommy Blake, Sr., DE, TCU
Special Teams Player of the Year: Louie Sakoda, Jr., PK, Utah
Freshman of the Year: Ricky Brewer, Fr., LB, Colorado State