Special Teams Players of the Month
1. Jacob De Jesus, KR/PR, UNLV
The Rebels’ Swiss army knife continued to get things done by any means necessary, averaging 130.3 all-purpose yards per game in three October clashes. That included an average of 14.6 yards per punt return and a Mountain West-high 24.8 yards per kick return.
2. James Ferguson-Reynolds, P, Boise State
Ferguson wasn’t especially busy throughout October, recording nine punts in three games, but he paced the Mountain West, anyway, by averaging 49.1 yards per kick. He also pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line four times for good measure, further cementing his case as a serious Ray Guy Award candidate.
3. Tory Horton, PR, Colorado State
Horton’s special teams contributions were more limited than his peers on this list, but he made some of those opportunities count for as much as possible. Case in point, he was the only player in the Mountain West to record a return touchdown, taking a punt 79 yards to the house against Utah State in Week 6.
4. Jose Pizano, K, UNLV
The highlight of Pizano’s month was connecting on six field goals in a win over Colorado State, including the game-winner with mere seconds left in the fourth quarter, but the reality is that he was aces throughout October: 8-for-8 on field goals and 10-for-10 on extra points.
Who would be your pick for Mountain West football's special teams player of the month for October? #mwfb
— Mountain West Wire (@MWCwire) November 2, 2023
Freshmen of the Month
1. Paul Fitzgerald, DE, Utah State
Fitzgerald’s first full year of action has been a quietly productive one. The redshirt freshman notched two sacks, though he also forced a fumble against Colorado State in Week 6 on top of collecting ten total tackles in three games.
2. Jayden Maiava, QB, UNLV
The young Rebels signal-caller’s October performances were one significant reason why the program is bowling for the first time in 2013. He led the Mountain West with a 70.8% completion rate on 96 attempts, throwing for 9.1 yards per attempt with four touchdowns and two interceptions, and may have cemented his hold on the starting job for the long term in doing so.
3. Jalen Moss, WR, Fresno State
Though the Bulldogs only played three games in October, the young pass catcher had the best stretch of his young career to date by leading all Mountain West freshmen with 17 receptions for 244 yards and a touchdown.
4. Marshon Oxley, DE, Colorado State
According to Pro Football Focus, Oxley didn’t play any more than 24 snaps in a game between Weeks 6 and 9, but he certainly played well enough to earn more reps. In that limited sample, the redshirt freshman managed to be one of four Mountain West defenders to force two fumbles to go along with 13 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks.
Who would be your pick for Mountain West football's freshman of the month for October? #mwfb
— Mountain West Wire (@MWCwire) November 2, 2023
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