Reed Named First Team All-MW, Shook Second Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Jerrick Reed II, who led the Mountain West in interceptions and interceptions per game, was named First Team All-Mountain West at safety, becoming the first non-specialist for UNM to be named First Team All-Conference since 2014.  Reed was joined by linebacker Brandon Shook, who was named Second Team All-Conference.

Reed’s honor was the first time that a non-specialist earned first team honors since the 2014 season when both Dakota Cox (linebacker) and LaMar Bratton (offensive line) were named to the team.  Corey Bojorquez, a punter who is now with the Buffalo Bills, was named First Team All-Mountain West in 2017.

In addition to Reed and Shook, four Lobos were named Honorable Mention in Bobby Cole (RB), Kyle Stapley (OL), Teton Saltes (OL) and Joey Noble (DL).

Reed, a junior, had four of UNM’s six interceptions on the season as the Lobos tied for the Mountain West lead it turnover margin at +4.  Reed’s four interceptions were the most in the league (only one other player had as many as three) and his 0.57 interceptions per game also led the league.  Reed’s four interceptions in a seven-game season were the most by UNM since 2014, and it equaled the team total from a year ago.  His seven passes defended (three break-ups and four picks) is second in the Mountain West.

Shook, a senior, had 60 tackles on the season to lead UNM, and he is tied for fourth in tackles per game at 10.0 per game.  He had 19 tackles against Air Force, the most in a game by a Mountain West player this season, and the fourth-most by any FBS player this season.  Shook also forced a pair of fumbles on the season, tied for third in the Mountain West.

Saltes, a senior, is a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy for the second straight season and was on the preseason Outland Trophy list.  Twice in the last three weeks he has been named to the Pro Football Focus (PFF) National Team of the Week.   PFF breaks down every play and grades all FBS players using NFL grading parameters.  Saltes was an honorable mention selection last year as well.

Stapley, a senior, was on the Rimington Preseason Watch List.  Stapley started every game for a third straight season and took every meaningful snap at center for a third straight season.  Stapley, like Saltes, was an honorable mention selection last year.

Bobby Cole, a junior, was fourth in rushing yards in the Mountain West with 548 yards, and seventh in yards per game with 78.3 yards.  He finished the year with back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, and he caught the game-winning pass against Wyoming with 6:22 left in the fourth quarter for a 17-16 win.  He was tied for sixth in the league with seven touchdowns and his two 100-yard games was tied for the second-most in the Mountain West. He never missed a game during the season despite wearing a walking boot off the field for much of the year.

Noble, a senior, recorded 40 tackles on the season, the third-best mark among all defensive linemen in the Mountain West.  His 4.0 sacks led the team and was 10^th in the Mountain West and it was the most by a Lobo defensive lineman since Garrett Hughes had 6.5 sacks in 2016.  Noble also led UNM with 5.0 tackles for loss, and he also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.