Tag: Wyoming Football

2023 Mountain West Football Top 50: #26, Wyoming DT Jordan Bertagnole

The big Cowboys defensive tackle has been underappreciated, but no longer.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

2023 Mountain West Football Top 50: #26, Wyoming DT Jordan Bertagnole

The big Cowboys defensive tackle has been underappreciated, but no longer.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS and @MWCwire

Too good to be ignored.

Sometimes it can take a little while for quality players to get the credit owed to them. That’s almost certainly the case for Wyoming’s Jordan Bertagnole, who’s quietly been productive for the past three seasons and lands on our list of Mountain West football’s top performers for the first time.

Bertagnole began his Cowboys career with four starts and six total appearances during the 2020 season and he’s steadily improved year after year, 2022 marking his best overall campaign to date. Despite missing two games to injury, he collected 51 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks in 11 contests, forcing two fumbles for good measure. Pro Football Focus also credited him with 25 stops on 601 total snaps, good enough to rank in a tie for fourth among all Mountain West defensive tackles last fall.

He’s not the only Cowboys star in the trenches headed into 2023, but Bertagnole should continue to be no fun at all for opposing centers and guards to block.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=326624660]

[protected-iframe id=”f7652191f99ba13728097498e8a79cd8-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/48681pqFq0kB9dhrtPPoNd” width=”100%” height=”232″ frameborder=”0″]

Mountain West Football: Air Force, Boise State Lead Overall Rise In Final 2023 SP+ Projections

The last update to Bill Connelly’s efficiency metric improves the outlook just about everywhere in the Mountain West this fall.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Mountain West Football: Air Force, Boise State Lead Overall Rise In Final 2023 SP+ Projections

The last update to Bill Connelly’s efficiency metric improves the outlook just about everywhere in the Mountain West this fall.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

The conference still has some improvements to make.

After revealing the first set of preseason SP+ rankings back in February and an updated iteration in May, ESPN’s Bill Connelly released his final 2023 projections today for the upcoming college football season.

SP+, which measures efficiency on both sides of the ball (success rate, explosiveness, and more) and is adjusted for tempo and quality of opponents, reflects returning production, overall recruiting, and recent history into its ratings. Generally speaking, the last revision seems to bode well for the Mountain West’s overall fortunes.

  • 127. New Mexico — #128 offense, #105 defense (+5 change from May)
  • 120. Hawaii — #111 offense, #116 defense (+4)
  • 114. Colorado State — #126 offense, #78 defense (+4)
  • 113. Utah State — #108 offense, #108 defense (+3)
  • 110. UNLV — #100 offense, #112 defense (-2)
  • 106. Nevada — #113 offense, #90 defense (+7)
  • 94. San Jose State — #94 offense, #94 defense (+3)
  • 90. Wyoming — #119 offense, #62 defense (+2)
  • 80. San Diego State — #102 offense, #53 defense (+5)
  • 70. Air Force — #121 offense, #17 defense (+11)
  • 63. Fresno State — #77 offense, #44 defense (+5)
  • 48. Boise State — #54 offense, #37 defense (+14)

11 of the 12 teams in the Mountain West see an overall improvement in their efficiency outlook for 2023, led by the Falcons and Broncos. Those are the only two teams to feature double-digit jumps, with Boise State putting even more distance between themselves and second-rated Fresno State in the process. As Connelly also notes, the Broncos are also one of just three Group of 5 teams to land in the top 50, alongside Tulane and SMU.

Even teams projected closer to the bottom of the conference standings may have more to which they can look forward, however, as Hawaii, Nevada, and New Mexico each improved between four and seven spots.

The most interesting divergence? UNLV, which happens to be the one Mountain West team with a small dip in their SP+ projection. Though this final outlook sees the Rebels leapfrogged by the rival Wolf Pack, there is still plenty for the Vegas faithful to feel good about with up-and-coming stars like Doug Brumfield and Cameron Oliver looking to lead the program to its first bowl bid since 2013.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]

Advertisement

[protected-iframe id=”f7652191f99ba13728097498e8a79cd8-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/48681pqFq0kB9dhrtPPoNd” width=”100%” height=”232″ frameborder=”0″]

2023 Mountain West Football Top 50: #36, Wyoming DE Braden Siders

The young Cowboys defensive end made a mark in 2022 and lands on our countdown of the Mountain West’s best.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

2023 Mountain West Football Top 50: #36, Wyoming DE Braden Siders

The young Cowboys defensive end made a mark in 2022 and lands on our countdown of the Mountain West’s best.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS and @MWCwire

Quarterbacks beware.

One thing you can count upon with regard to Craig Bohl’s Wyoming Cowboys is that they’ll always have someone ready to attack opposing quarterbacks. Heading into 2023, they possess one of the top players in the Mountain West by that measure in defensive end Braden Siders.

Siders’s first full season as a starter was a huge success, a 2022 campaign in which he played in all of Wyoming’s 13 games and finished with 48 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. Additionally, Pro Football Focus credited him with 33 total stops, which ranked in a tie for fourth among all conference edge rushers.

What could he possibly do for an encore? You can be assured the Pokes faithful will be excited to find out and quarterbacks will not.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=326624660]

[protected-iframe id=”f7652191f99ba13728097498e8a79cd8-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/48681pqFq0kB9dhrtPPoNd” width=”100%” height=”232″ frameborder=”0″]

Mountain West Football: The Top 50 Players Of 2023

Our annual countdown of Mountain West football’s 50 best players has returned ahead of the 2023 season.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Mountain West Football: The Top 50 Players of 2023

Our annual countdown of the Mountain West Conference’s 50 best football players has finally returned.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Who will be #1? Stick around and find out.

There can be only fifty. College football fans, our countdown of the Mountain West Conference’s top players is back once again.

Our staff’s votes, which included a total of 111 different athletes this year, eventually coalesced into the list that you will see updated on this page every day for the next few weeks, so bookmark it or simply follow Mountain West Wire on Twitter and Facebook to stay on top of everything and tell us about your inevitable outrage. You can also keep an eye on the hashtag #MWwireTop50, as well.

Thank you for following along!

The Top 50

[lawrence-related id=47012]

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Mountain West Football: Two Named to Butkus Award Watch List

Two Mountain West athletes are named to the 2023 preseason watch list for the award given to the nation’s best linebacker.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01h5tf5nfa662h0vwd player_id=none image=]

Mountain West Football: Two Named to Butkus Award Watch List

Two LBs represent the Mountain West

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

Is the nation’s best LB from the Mountain West?

The linebackers are next up during watch list season.The Butkus Award released their preseason watch list last Thursday. Two Mountain West athletes made the watch list for the award, which is given annually to the nation’s top linebackers at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.

Boise State’s DJ Schramm makes his second watch list of the year, having previously been named to the Nagurski Trophy watch list. Schramm is the Broncos leading returning tackler with 107 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 14 games.

Wyoming’s Easton Gibbs continues to rack up the honors in 2023. He was been named MWWire’s preseason defensive player of the year, he was named MW preseason defensive player of the year by league media, and was also named the Nagurski Trophy watch list. Gibbs is the leading returning tackler in the Mountain West having amassed 121 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Last year’s Collegiate Butkus Award winner was Iowa’s Jack Campbell.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]

[protected-iframe id=”f7652191f99ba13728097498e8a79cd8-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/48681pqFq0kB9dhrtPPoNd” width=”100%” height=”232″ frameborder=”0″]

Mountain West Football: Five Named to Bednarik Award Watch List

Five Mountain West athletes are named to the 2023 watch list given to college football’s defensive player of the year.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01h5tf5nfa662h0vwd player_id=none image=]

Mountain West Football: Five Named to Bednarik Award Watch List

Five athletes named to nation’s best defender watch list

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

Who scares MW offensive coordinators the most?

Watch list season wrapped up with the release of the 2023 Bednarik Award watch list. Five Mountain West athletes were named to the 2023 preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award. The Bednarik Award is given annually to college football’s defensive player of the year.

The Mountain West is used to being represented at all three levels on this watch list. This year however, only linebackers and defensive backs make the cut.

From the linebackers, Boise State’s DJ Schramm and Wyoming’s Easton Gibbs make their third watch list of 2023. Both LBs having previously been named to the Nagurski Trophy and Butkus Award watch lists. Fresno State’s Levelle Bailey was also named to his third watch list of 2023, having been named to the Nagurski Trophy and Wuerffel Trophy watch lists.

In the secondary, Air Force S Trey Taylor and Colorado State S Jack Howell continue to lead the way. Both defensive backs have also been named to the Nagurski Trophy watch list, as well as the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list.

Last year’s Bednarik Award winner was Alabama’s Will Anderson.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]

[protected-iframe id=”f7652191f99ba13728097498e8a79cd8-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/48681pqFq0kB9dhrtPPoNd” width=”100%” height=”232″ frameborder=”0″]

Mountain West Football: Four Named to Ray Guy Award Watch List

It’s the punters turn! Four Mountain West punters made the 49 man preseason watch list for the Ray Guy award.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fvdd6z9hqw4epb9e player_id=none image=]

Mountain West Football: Four Named to Ray Guy Award Watch List

The best punters in the country come from the Mountain West

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

Punters are people too!

The Ray Guy Award released their 2023 preseason watch list Wednesday naming 49 punters as ones to watch. Among those 49, are 4 Mountain West athletes who are hoping to win the award given annually to the nation’s premier punter.

New Mexico’s Aaron Rodriguez led the nation in total punts with 81 in 2022. He led the nation for the second year in a row in total punts. Rodriguez appeared in all 12 games for the Lobos and was their holder for all 12 games as well. His 81 punts traveled 3,578 yards for an average punt of 44.2 yards.

You’re not seeing things. San Diego State’s Jack Browning is the only Mountain West kicker/punter combo to make both the Lou Groza and Ray Guy award preseason watchlists. Was a second-team PFF and honorable mention College Football Network All-American in 2022 after hitting 68 punts for 3,135 yards for a 46.1 yard average.

Utah State’s Stephen Kotsanlee appeared in all 13 games as punter and holder in 2022. Kotsanlee had 65 punts go 2,810 yards for a 43.2 yard average. He’s a player to watch on trick plays as he had one carry for 10 yards and completed one pass for 12 yards.

Wyoming’s Clayton Stewart was a 2022 Honorable Mention All-MW selection by both the coaches and media. Stewart had 73 punts go 3,194 yards for an average punt of 43.8 yards. His 43.8 yard punt average was 3rd in the Mountain West and 33rd in the nation.

Last year’s Ray Guy Award winner was Rutgers’ Adam Korsak.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]

[protected-iframe id=”f7652191f99ba13728097498e8a79cd8-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/48681pqFq0kB9dhrtPPoNd” width=”100%” height=”232″ frameborder=”0″]

Mountain West Football: Six Named To Lou Groza Award Watch List

Kickers were next up for watch list season and six athletes made the cut from the Mountain West.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01h3eyemsanewkr0gp player_id=none image=]

Mountain West Football: Six Named To Lou Groza Award Watch List

Specialists get their time in the sun

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

It’s good to be a kicker in the Mountain West.

The Lou Groza Award released their 2023 preseason watch list on Wednesday. Six Mountain West kickers made the preseason watch list for the trophy which is given annually to the nation’s best kicker. The Mountain West had the most nominees on the 30 man watch list.

Air Force’s Matthew Dapore enters his junior season following a semi-finalist nomination for the 2022 Lou Groza Award. Dapore appeared in all 13 games going 37-38 on extra points and 16-21 on field goals including a career long of 54 against Colorado.

Boise State’s Jonah Dalmas enters his senior season looking to stake his claim on the Boise State record books. Dalmas was a perfect 48-48 on extra points and went 23-27 on field goals including tying his career long of 51 yards against Air Force.

Hawai’i’s Matthew Shipley returns as Hawai’i’s leading scorer from last season with 75 points. He went 27-28 on extra points and 16-20 on field goals including tying his carer long of 49 yards against Utah State. Shipley is also one of multiple kicker/punter combos in the Mountain West.

Nevada’s Brandon Talton is the league career record holder for field goals made and looks to extend his record in 2023. Talton only went 15-15 on extra points and 10-12 on field goals made due to missing the final five games of the season due to injury.

San Diego State’s Jack Browning was named the 2023 Mountain West Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year. Browning took over all kicking duties for San Diego State appearing in 13 games going 30-30 on extra points and 20-25 on field goals made.

Wyoming’s John Hoyland enters the season looking to make sure you remember his name. Hoyland went 28-28 on extra points and 22-25 on field goals including multiple 50 yard makes. His career long of 55 yards came in their double overtime victory against Tulsa.

Last year’s Lou Groza Award winner was North Carolina State’s Christopher Dunn.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]

[protected-iframe id=”f7652191f99ba13728097498e8a79cd8-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/48681pqFq0kB9dhrtPPoNd” width=”100%” height=”232″ frameborder=”0″]

Mountain West Football: Six Named To Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Six from the Mountain West make the preseason watch list for the nation’s most outstanding defensive player.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01h3eyemsanewkr0gp player_id=none image=]

Mountain West Football: Six Named To Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Six Mountain West defenders get a spotlight

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

Defense wins championships.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is next during watch list season to announce their preseason watch list. Six Mountain West defenders made the preseason watch list for the trophy which is given annually to the nation’s most outstanding defender.

Fresno State LB Levelle Bailey returns as the Bulldogs most experienced defender. The senior, who has appeared in 45 games, finished last season with 88 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, and six pass breakups.

Wyoming LB Easton Gibbs is the second Mountain West athlete on the watch list. The 2023 preseason defensive player of the year for the MW had 121 tackles last year, ranking third in the conference and 22nd in the nation at 9.3 tackles per game. Gibbs also had nine tackles for a loss, five sacks, and one forced fumble, fumble recovery, & pass defended.

Colorado State S Jack Howell is next up. He led the Rams in tackles at 108 total tackles, which also lead the nation for defensive backs. Howell’s three interceptions came in three consecutive games. Hit his career high twice in 2022 with 17 tackles against MTSU and Boise State. Howell and his father, John, became the first father-son duo in MW history to earn All-Conference honors.

San Diego State LB Cody Moon makes the list after transferring from in-conference foe New Mexico. The Albuquerque native earned all-MW honorable mention honors after registering 105 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, and 4.5 sacks for the Lobos.

Boise State LB DJ Schramm is the fourth linebacker from the Mountain West to make the Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list. The Fresno, Califronia native started all 14 games last season for the Broncos. Schramm finished the 2022 season earning second team All-MW honors after recording 110 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.

Air Force S Trey Taylor is the final Mountain West athlete on the Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list. He led the Falcons in tackles last season with 69 to go along with 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and a sack. A 2023 preseason All-MW selection, Taylor is the Falcons leading returner in career tackles with 131.

Last year’s Nagurski Trophy winner was Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr who won it for the second year in a row.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]

[protected-iframe id=”f7652191f99ba13728097498e8a79cd8-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/48681pqFq0kB9dhrtPPoNd” width=”100%” height=”232″ frameborder=”0″]

Mountain West Football: Five Named to Outland Trophy Watch List

The lineman are next up for watch list season. Five interior lineman made the Outland Trophy watch list from the Mountain West.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01h5tf5nfa662h0vwd player_id=none image=]

Mountain West Football: Five Named to Outland Trophy Watch List

Five lineman get their time to shine from the Mountain West

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

Football starts up front.

The Outland Trophy was the second trophy of watch list season to announce their preseason watch list. Five Mountain West lineman made the preseason watch list for the trophy which is given annually to the nation’s top interior lineman.

San Diego State’s Cade Bennett leads the way for the Mountain West contingent. The Oklahoma State transfer payed in the first 12 games of the season before an injury. Bennett only allowed six quarterback pressures on 367 passing opportunities which earned him an 82.4 pass block grade from PFF. He earned 2023 first team preseason all-MW selections by the MW media, Phil Steele, Athlon Sports, and Sports Info Solutions.

Boise State’s Cade Beresford is next. The offensive tackle transfer from Washington State started all 13 of Boise State’s games. Beresford was an All-MW second team performer in 2022. And he was named to the 2023 preseason All-MW team by the media to go along with first team All-MW selection from Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.

Wyoming DT Jordan Bertagnole is the only MW defensive lineman to make the watch list. The junior returns to Laramie and is looking to improve on his second-team All-MW honors from 2022. Bertagnole recorded 51 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 7.5 tackles for a loss in 11 games. He earned a preseason All-MW selection from the media and 2023 first team All-MW selections from both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.

Air Force C Thor Paglialong returns to lead the always impressive Air Force offensive line. He is the leading returning lineman from an offense that lead the nation in rushing yards at 326.7 yards per game and in time of possession at 36:33 per game. Paglialong earned 2023 first team preseason honors from the Mountain West Media.

Fresno State G Mose Vavao is the final Mountain West athletes to make the cut. The Newark, California native started all 14 games last season for the Bulldogs. Vavao enters 2023 having appeared in 33 career games. He earned 2023 preseason All-MW honors from the media, 2023 first team honors from Phil Steele, and 2023 third team honors from Athlon Sports.

Last year’s Outland Trophy winner was Michigan’s Olusegun Oluwatimi.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]

[protected-iframe id=”f7652191f99ba13728097498e8a79cd8-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/48681pqFq0kB9dhrtPPoNd” width=”100%” height=”232″ frameborder=”0″]