COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Two Lobos, center LaMar Bratton and middle linebacker Dakota Cox, were both named First Team All-Mountain West as the conference office released the 2014 postseason All-Conference teams. In addition, the Lobos had three honorable mention nods as well in defensive back David Guthrie, running back Jhurell Pressley, and offensive lineman Jamal Price.
The honors mark the first true offensive First Team All-Mountain West selection for New Mexico since Lucas Reed as a tight end in 2010, and the first on the defensive side of the ball since 2011 when Carmen Messina was selected as a linebacker. Last year Carlos Wiggins was a First Team All-Mountain West selection as a kick returner, and Ben Skaer earned the honor as a punter.
Colorado State quarterback Garret Grayson was the Offensive Player of the Year, and Utah State linebacker Zach Vigil was the Defensive Player of the Year. Will Conant of Air Force earned Special Teams honors, and UNLV receiver Devante Boyd was the Freshman of the Year. Jim McElwain of Colorado State was the Coach of the Year.
UNM under Coach Bob Davie has now had four First Team All-Mountain West selections, one Second Team pick, and 17 honorable mention picks.
Dakota Cox, Linebacker, 6-0, 230, So., Draper, Utah
Cox was one of six sophomores named to the First Team All-Mountain West team overall, and just one of four on the defensive side. Cox, who tore his ACL against Boise State and missed the final three games of the season, led the Mountain West and the NCAA in tackles per game with 12.89 per contest. Despite missing three games he still ranks second in the Mountain West and 17th in the NCAA total tackles. His 77 assisted tackles ranks fifth nationally.
Cox three different times registered at least 17 tackles in a game, picking up 17 against UTEP in the season opener, 18 against New Mexico State in a game which earned him Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, and 19 against Fresno State. Cox recorded an interception, a fumble recovery, two tackles for a loss and two passes broken up on the season. Cox was one of UNM’s three permanent captains on the team.
LaMar Bratton, Center, 6-0, 297, Sr., Riverside, Calif.
Bratton, a preseason Rimington Candidate, was named UNM’s first First Team All-Mountain West offensive lineman since 2009, when Erik Cook was so honored. Bratton played all 755 snaps this season as UNM’s center, and he graded out at 98% on assignment and at a team-best 91% overall.
Bratton, who was second on the team in knockdown blocks with 139, helped UNM to some staggering numbers. He helped the team finish fourth in rushing with 310.4 yards per game. UNM is one of two teams that have finished in the top-five in rushing in each of the past three years with over 300 yards rushing per game. UNM also finished tied for seventh in fewest sacks allowed with 11. Bratton was also one of UNM’s three permanent captains on the team and finished his career with 49 consecutive starts.
Jhurell Pressley, Running Back, 5-10, 200, Jr., Newcastle, Dela.
Pressley became the 18th Lobo to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, and he finished 13th on the single season chart with 1,083 yards. Pressley also led the team in scoring with 12 touchdowns and a 2-point conversion for 74 points. He also obliterated New Mexico’s single season record for yards per carry. Pressley averaged 9.5 yards per carry, besting the previous record of Billy Brown of 7.79 yards per carry, which had stood since 1959.
Pressley led the NCAA in yards per carry with his 9.5 average, and if not for the Colorado State game where he carried one time and then sat with a sprained ankle, Pressley would have rushed for 100 yards in five straight contests. Overall he had six 100-yard games.
Jamal Price, Offensive Line, 6-6, 330, Sr., Pomfret, Md.
Price was, along with Bratton, an anchor on the offensive line, playing all but seven snaps during the year. The starter for all 12 games at right guard, Price led the team in knockdown blocks with 172, and he led the team in assignment grade at 99%. Overall he graded out at 83.3%.
He helped the team finish fourth in rushing with 310.4 yards per game. UNM is one of two teams that have finished in the top-five in rushing in each of the past three years with over 300 yards rushing per game. UNM also finished tied for seventh in fewest sacks allowed with 11.
David Guthrie, Defensive Back, 5-9, 204, Sr., Tenmile, Ore.
UNM’s biggest hitter, Guthrie finished second on the Lobos in tackles with 87, and he was one tackle away from tying for the conference lead in tackles amongst all defensive backs. Despite being a defensive back he was fifth on the team in tackles for loss with 4.5 tackles, and his four passes broken up were tied for second on the squad.
Guthrie scored his first career touchdown on a 43-yard scoop and score against Air Force, one of his two fumble recoveries on the year. Guthrie also had a quarterback hurry, a forced fumble and a blocked extra point.