2016 Preseason All-Mountain West Team | 2016 Predicted Order of Finish
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A pair of senior defensive leaders, linebacker Dakota Cox and defensive lineman Nik D’Avanzo, were named preseason All-Mountain West in a vote by members of the league’s media. It marked the fourth time in Bob Davie’s five seasons at UNM that he has had a pair of players on the preseason list.
However, it’s a little different as UNM has two defensive players selected for the first time since the 2010 season when Carmen Messina and Jonathan Rainey were both named to the team. While both Cox and D’Avanzo are seniors, neither have redshirted in their careers.
Only San Diego State has more players on the defensive side, with three. Cox is looking to become the first player in school history to lead the team in tackles in all four of his seasons. Both Cox and D’Avanzo were named honorable mention All-Mountain West last year in a vote of the league’s coaches.
In addition to the preseason All-Mountain West teams, the 2016 predicted order of finish was released, and despite the Lobos finishing in second place in 2015 and just a drive away from the Mountain West championship game, UNM was predicted to finish fifth in the league’s Mountain Division. Boise State garnered 27 or 29 possible first place votes and was picked first (172 points) followed by Air Force (2 first place votes, 126 points), Utah State (111), Colorado State (94), New Mexico (73) and Wyoming (31). San Diego State was the unanimous choice in the West Division with 174 points, followed by Nevada (129), San José State (122), Fresno State (76), UNLV (73) and Hawai’i (35).
With Lobo season ticket packages starting as low as $96, Lobo fans will have access to all six regular season home games, including match ups against Mountain West rivals Wyoming, Nevada and Boise State, as well as the special Thursday night season opener on September 1 versus South Dakota.
Fans can also get a great deal with Albertsons and Sadie’s and the 2015 Lobo Football Family Pack. Getting a Lobo Football Family Pack is as easy as getting the groceries or picking up dinner. Check here for information on the Lobo Football Family Pack.
Along with affordable family pricing and all new concession’s items from our partnership with Levy Restaurants, Lobo Football fans can expect a lot of excitement as well with in-game entertainment and special promotional giveaways for each home game this season. To become part of Lobo Football call 505-925-LOBO, and click here for all of your Lobo Football ticket information.
| 2016 MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE PRESEASON TEAM | |||
| Offense | |||
| QB | Brett Rypien* | So. | Boise State |
| WR | Thomas Sperbeck* | Sr. | Boise State |
| WR | Devonte Boyd** | Jr. | UNLV |
| RB | Donnel Pumphrey* | Sr. | San Diego State |
| RB | Brian Hill** | Jr. | Wyoming |
| OL | Fred Zerblis** | Sr. | Colorado State |
| OL | Nico Siragusa* | Sr. | San Diego State |
| OL | Jake Simonich | Sr. | Utah State |
| OL | Austin Stephens | Sr. | Utah State |
| OL | Chase Roullier** | Sr. | Wyoming |
| TE | Billy Freeman* | Sr. | San José State |
| Defense | |||
| DL | Nik D’Avanzo | Sr. | New Mexico |
| DL | Alex Barrett* | Sr. | San Diego State |
| DL | Travis Seefeldt | Gr. | Utah State |
| DL | Ricky Ali’ifau | Sr. | Utah State |
| LB | Christian Tago** | Sr. | San José State |
| LB | Calvin Munson* | Sr. | San Diego State |
| LB | Dakota Cox | Sr. | New Mexico |
| DB | Weston Steelhammer* | Sr. | Air Force |
| DB | Damontae Kazee* | Sr. | San Diego State |
| DB | Dameon Baber* | So. | Nevada |
| DB | Andrew Wingard** | So. | Wyoming |
| Specialists | |||
| P | Hayden Hunt** | Sr. | Colorado State |
| Michael Carrizosa* | Jr. | San José State | |
| PK | Tyler Rausa* | Sr. | Boise State |
| Ret. | Rashaad Penny* | Jr. | San Diego State |
| Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Donnel Pumphrey, Sr., RB, San Diego State | |||
| Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Damontae Kazee, Sr., DB, San Diego State | |||
| Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year: Rashaad Penny, Jr., KR, San Diego State | |||
| * – member of the 2015 All-Mountain West first team. | |||
| ** – member of the 2015 All-Mountain West second team. | |||