BYU Players Earn All-Conference Honors
COLORADO SPRINGS -- The Mountain West Conference today announced the 2000 All-Mountain West Conference teams and honorees as voted by the league's eight head coaches. BYU's Owen Pochman (K), Justin Ena (LB), Setema Gali (DE) and Aarond Edmonds (P) were honored as first-team selections, while Luke Staley (RB), Tevita Ofahengaue (TE), Jason Scukanec (OL), Chris Hoke (DT), Hans Olsen (DT) and Jared Lee (S) were named to the All-MWC second team.
Four other BYU players received honorable mention honors, including Ben Archibald (OL), Margin Hooks (WR), Aaron McCubbins (OL), Ford Poston (OL) and Dustin Rykert (OL).
Aaron Edmonds
All-Conference First Team
Punter
5-11 • 190 • Junior
Milpitas, Calif.
Listed as the starter in 12-of-12 games for the Cougars this season ... earned coaches award for performances against Florida State, UNLV and San Diego State ... ranks tops in the MWC with a 43.6 yards-per-punt average ... has recorded 67 punts on the season, totaling 2,924 yards ... recorded six punts for 319 yards against Mississippi State, averaging a season-high 53.2 yards ... has 19 times registered punts of 50 yards or more on the season, including a season-long 61 yarder against Mississippi State ... has recorded an impressive 17 punts inside the 20-yard line and has had only four touchbacks ... Did not have a single punt blocked on the season.
Justin Ena
All-Conference First Team
Middle Linebacker
6-3 • 255 • Junior
Shelton, Wash.
Started 12-of-12 games for the Cougars this season ... earned coaches award for performances against Florida State, UNLV, Utah State, San Diego State and Colorado State ... named MWC Player of the Week after recording a team-high 10 tackles, including five unassisted and five assisted tackles ... collected three tackles for a combined loss of 12 yards against the Seminoles ... assigned to track All-America candidate Travis Minor, Ena held Minor to just 20 yards rushing on the night ... named the Chevrolet Player of the game against Florida State ... has produced a team-leading 107 tackles on the season, including 49 unassisted takedowns ... ranks fourth in the MWC with an 8.9 tackles-per-game average ... has produced five games with double-digits in tackles, including Florida State (10), Virginia (14), Air Force (11), San Diego State (11) and Colorado State (14) ... has recorded three sacks on the season, four pass deflections, one quarterback hurry and forced three fumbles ... part of a defensive front line that has limited its opponents to an average 7.8 second-half points, including second-half shutouts against Syracuse and Wyoming ... the defensive unit has allowed just 94 points during the second half of play through 12 games ... has held its opponents to 15 scoreless quarters, including 10 second-half scoreless quarters ... part of defensive unit that ranks second in the MWC in rushing defense, allowing just 121.7 yards per game ... limited Florida State (-2), Mississippi State (4), UNLV (-26), Utah State (9) and San Diego State (15) to a combined 0 second-half rushing yards.
Setema Gali
All-Conference First Team
Defensive End
6-4 • 245 • Senior
Orem, Utah
Has started 12-of-12 games for the Cougars ... one of two defensive team captains ... earned coaches award for performances against Florida State and Colorado State ... leads the BYU roster with 10 sacks on the season ... has recorded 39 tackles on the season, including 25 unassisted takedowns ... credited with 18 tackles for a combined loss of 106 yards, including 10 sacks for 67 yards ... has one pass break-up, one QB hurry and one forced fumble ... recorded five tackles against Florida State, including two sacks ... credited with nine takedowns against Colorado State, including six unassisted tackles ... recorded three multi-sack games during the season, including two against Florida State, Air Force and Wyoming ... part of a defensive front line that has limited its opponents to an average 7.8 second-half points, including second-half shutouts against Syracuse and Wyoming ... the defensive unit has allowed just 94 points during the second half of play through 12 games ... has held its opponents to 15 scoreless quarters, including 10 second-half scoreless quarters ... part of defensive unit that ranks second in the MWC in rushing defense, allowing just 121.7 yards per game ... limited Florida State (-2), Mississippi State (4), UNLV (-26), Utah State (9) and San Diego State (15) to a combined 0 second-half rushing yards.
Owen Pochman
All-Conference First Team
Kicker
6-0 • 180 • Senior
Mercer Island, Wash.
Listed as the starter in 12-of-12 games for the Cougars this season ... earned coaches award for performances against Virginia, Air Force, New Mexico and Utah ... named a Lou Groza Collegiate Place-kicker Award finalist for the second straight season ... ranks second in the MWC in scoring, posting a team-leading 72 points on the year ... earned MWC Special Teams Player-of-the-Week honors after recording a season-high 13 points against New Mexico ... registered four PATs and three field goals to help lead BYU to a 37-13 win over the Lobos ... named MWC Special Teams Player of the Week for second straight week after setting BYU single-game record with four field goals in the first half against Utah ... recorded 14 points against Utah ... holds the BYU record for scoring with 333 points ... connected on 29-of-29 PATs this season ... split the uprights on 19-of-24 field goal attempts, including a school-record 56-yarder against New Mexico ... has recorded a string of 58 straight extra-point attempts, dating back to Sept. 25, 1999 ... was a perfect 6-for-6 from 20-29 yards, 4-of-4 from 30-39 yards, s7-of-10 from 40-49 yards and two-of-four from 50-59 yards ... since missing a 43-yard attempt against San Diego State, has connected on 13-of-15 field goals, including eight of 35 yards or more ... helped BYU overcome a 21-0 halftime deficit to upset Virginia in its home-opener on Sept. 2, splitting the uprights on a 26-yard effort to give BYU a 38-35 overtime victory ... was perfect on PATs, going 4-for-4 against New Mexico and nailed a school-record 56-yarder with :01 left in the first half.
Chris Hoke
All-Conference Second Team
Defensive Line
6-2 • 295 • Senior
Santa Ana, Calif.
Started 12-of-12 games for the Cougars this season ... earned coaches award for performances against Virginia, Utah State, San Diego State and New Mexico ... ranks fourth on the BYU roster with 51 tackles, including 25 unassisted tackles ... has produced 15 tackles for a combined loss of 57 yards ... ranks second on the BYU roster with five sacks ... recorded five or more tackles against Virginia (5), Utah State (5), San Diego State (6) and Wyoming (6) ... anchors a defensive front line that has limited its opponents to an average 7.8 second-half points, including second-half shutouts against Syracuse and Wyoming ... the defensive unit has allowed just 94 points during the second half of play through 12 games ... has held its opponents to 15 scoreless quarters, including 10 second-half scoreless quarters ... part of defensive unit that ranks second in the MWC in rushing defense, allowing just 121.7 yards per game ... limited Florida State (-2), Mississippi State (4), UNLV (-26), Utah State (9) and San Diego State (15) to a combined 0 second-half rushing yards.
Jared Lee
All-Conference Second Team
Safety
6-0 • 190 • Senior
Rexburg, Idaho
Started 12-of-12 games for the Cougars this season ... earned coaches award for performances against Florida State, Air Force, San Diego State, Colorado State, New Mexico and Utah ... maintains a 3.96 grade-point average as a history major, while also working on pre-med qualifications ... earned the prestigious American Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Post-Graduate Scholarship, the NACDA Pigskin Classic Post-Graduate Scholarship, Verizon Academic All-District VIII first team and was named the Circuit City National Scholar Athlete of the Week on Sept. 14 ... currently ranks second on the BYU roster with 86 tackles, including 50 unassisted and 36 assisted takedowns ... has recorded three tackles for a loss, six pass breakups and forced two fumbles on the season ... registered a season-high 13 tackles against Virginia, while producing seven or more takedowns in nine games this season ... has recorded nine tackles in back-to-back games (Colorado State and New Mexico) ... part of a defensive front line that has limited its opponents to an average 7.8 second-half points, including second-half shutouts against Syracuse and Wyoming ... the defensive unit has allowed just 94 points during the second half of play through 12 games ... has held its opponents to 15 scoreless quarters, including 10 second-half scoreless quarters ... part of defensive unit that ranks second in the MWC in rushing defense, allowing just 121.7 yards per game ... limited Florida State (-2), Mississippi State (4), UNLV (-26), Utah State (9) and San Diego State (15) to a combined 0 second-half rushing yards.
Tevita Ofahengaue
All-Conference Second Team
Tight End
6-2 • 250 • Laie, Hawai'I
Started 12-of-12 games this season ... earned coaches award for performances against UNLV and Wyoming ... has recorded at least one reception in all 12 games, including a season-high four receptions for 41 yards against Wyoming ... recorded three receptions for 56 yards against New Mexico and three receptions for a season-best 75 yards against Florida State ... ranks tops among tight ends on the BYU roster with 22 receptions for 305 yards, averaging 13.9 yards per reception.
Hans Olsen
All-Conference Second Team
Defensive Line
6-4 • 295 • Senior
Weiser, Idaho
Started 12-of-12 games for the Cougars this season ... earned coaches award for performances against Mississippi State, UNLV and Wyoming ... a popular visitor among local elementary schools, Olsen will often balance large lunch tables on his chin if children promise to spend more time reading ... has recorded 45tackles on the season, including 18 solos ... has produced three QB hurries and has recovered a team-leading five fumbles on the season, including two against San Diego State and one against Wyoming ... recorded a season-high 10 tackles against Colorado State, including six tackles for a loss ... part of a defensive front line that has limited its opponents to an average 7.8 second-half points, including second-half shutouts against Syracuse and Wyoming ... the defensive unit has allowed just 94 points during the second half of play through 12 games ... has held its opponents to 15 scoreless quarters, including 10 second-half scoreless quarters ... part of defensive unit that ranks second in the MWC in rushing defense, allowing just 121.7 yards per game ... limited Florida State (-2), Mississippi State (4), UNLV (-26), Utah State (9) and San Diego State (15) to a combined 0 second-half rushing yards.
Jason Scukanec
All-Conference Second Team
Offensive Line
6-2 • 295 • Junior
Vancouver, Wash.
Started all 12 games for the Cougars at center ... earned coaches' award for his performance against Air Force ... anchors an improving offensive line that hdid not allowed a single sack in two of the Cougars' last three games, marking the first time the Cougars have not allowed a single sack in back-to-back games since the 1985 season ... has provided pass protection for the top-ranked BYU passing offense, which averages 274.6 yards per game.
Luke Staley
All-Conference Second Team
Running Back
6-1 • 210 • Sophomore
Tualatin, Ore.
Started in 10-of-12 games this season ... suffered a concussion against Florida State and underwent mid-season knee surgery, only to record 167 yards rushing on 28 carries against UNLV in his first game back .... Recorded 75 yards rushing and three rushing TDs against Utah State ... led the Cougars with 88 yards on 23 carries against Wyoming ... recorded two more TDs against New Mexico, marking his sixth multi-scoring game ... has scored 17 rushing touchdowns and three recpetions for touchdowns throughout his career, including seven rushing TDs this season ... has carried the ball 130 times for 479 yards, averaging a solid 3.7 yards per carry ... has produced at least one touchdown in 12 of the 19 games he has played at BYU, including two three TD performances ... has scored 120 points in two seasons, including 42 points this season.
Ben Archibald
All-Conference Honorable Mention
Offensive Line
6-4 • 280 • Sophomore
Gearhart, Ore.
Started all 12 games for the Cougars at right tackle ... earned coaches' award for performances against Virginia, San Diego State, Colorado State New Mexico and Utah ... part of an improving offensive line that did not allowed a single sack in two of the last three games, marking the first time the Cougars have not allowed a single sack in back-to-back games since the 1985 season ... has provided pass protection for the top-ranked BYU passing offense, which averages 274.6 yards per game.
Margin Hooks
All-Conference Honorable Mention
Receiver
6-0 • 190 • Senior
Waco, Texas
Started in 12-of-12 games this season ... ranked fourth in the nation with a streak of 36 straight games with at least one reception ... Has produced 2,841 career receiving yards, finishing his carrer just 226 yards shy of the all-time receiving yardage leader ... recorded four receptions for 66 yards against Florida State in the Cougars' season-opener ... followed that performance with seven receptions for 76 yards against Virginia ... was credited with his first touchdown reception of the season -- a six-yard reception that pulled the Cougars to within an extra-point with just :50 seconds remaining in the ball game ... led the Cougars with eight receptions for 68 yards against Mississippi State and All-America candidate Fred Smoot ... grabbed nine receptions for a season-high 124 yards and scored the Cougars' only touchdown against San Diego State ... has produced 189 career receptions, needing just 16 completions to eclipse the career reception mark of 204 ... ranks third in the MWC with 5.1 receptions per game ... leads the Cougars with a 59.8 yards-per-game average ... preseason All-Mountain West ... earned coaches award for performances against Florida State, Mississippi State and San Diego State.
Co-Offensive Player of the Year
Matt Newton, Sr., QB, Colorado State
Mike Thiessen, Sr., QB, Air Force
Defensive Player of the Year
Rick Crowell, Sr., LB, Colorado State
Co-Freshmen of the Year
Jason Kaufusi, DL, Utah
Brandon Ratcliff, DB, New Mexico
Co-Coach of the Year
Sonny Lubick, Colorado State
John Robinson, UNLV
All-Mountain West First-Team
Offense
POS Name Yr. School
WR Ryan Fleming Jr. Air Force
WR Pete Rebstock Jr. Colorado State
OL John Greer** Sr. UNLV
OL Tim Stuber Sr. Colorado State
OL Doug Kaufusi Jr. Utah
OL David Heldebrand Sr. Air Force
OL Justin Borvansky Sr. Colorado State
TE Jose Ochoa Jr. Colorado State
QB Matt Newton Sr. Colorado State
QB Mike Thiessen Sr. Air Force
RB Jeremi Rudolph Sr. UNLV
RB Cecil Sapp So. Colorado State
PK Owen Pochman Sr. BYU
PR/KR Pete Rebstock Jr. Colorado State
Defense
Pos. Player Cl. School
DL Patrick Chukwurah Sr. Wyoming
DL Setema Gali Sr. BYU
DL Brian Johnson Jr. New Mexico
DL Anton Palepoi Jr. UNLV
LB Rick Crowell** Sr. Colorado State
LB Kautai Olevao Sr. Utah
LB Justin Ena Jr. BYU
DB Andre Dyson** Sr. Utah
DB Kevin Thomas Jr. UNLV
DB John Howell Sr. Colorado State
DB Will Demps Jr. San Diego State
P Aaron Edmonds Jr. BYU
**--Unanimous Selection
All-Mountain West Second-Team
Offense
Pos. Player Cl. School
WR Steve Smith Sr. Utah
WR J.R. Tolver So. San Diego State
OL Jon Samuelson Sr. New Mexico
OL Adam Goldberg So. Wyoming
OL David Moreno Jr. San Diego State
OL Jason Scukanec Jr. BYU
OL Matt Dayoc Sr. Air Force
TE Tevita Ofahengaue Sr. BYU
RB Adam Tate Jr. Utah
RB Luke Staley So. BYU
PK Dave Adams Sr. Air Force
PR/KR Steve Smith Sr. Utah
Defense
Pos. Player Cl. School
DL Chris Hoke Sr. BYU
DL Hans Olsen Sr. BYU
DL Jerome Haywood Jr. San Diego State
DL Pete Hogan So. Colorado State
LB Mike Barnett Sr. New Mexico
LB Jomar Butler Jr. San Diego State
LB C.J. Zanotti Sr. Air Force
DB Jared Lee Sr. BYU
DB Ricky Sharpe So. San Diego State
DB Justin Gallimore Jr. Colorado State
DB Stephen Persley Jr. New Mexico
P Brian Simnjanovski So. San Diego State
*Because of a tie for first-team quarterback, there is no second-team quarterback.
Honorable Mention
Air Force: Terrance Barreau, OL; Qualario Brown, RB; Wes Glisson, DB; Chris Jessop, TE; Scotty McKay RB; Ben Miller, OL; Corey Nelson, LB; Justin Pendry, DL; Matt Pommer, LB. BYU: Ben Archibald, OL; Margin Hooks, WR; Aaron McCubbins, OL; Ford Poston, OL; Dustin Rykert, OL. Colorado State: Jamie Bennett, DL; Broc Finlaysaon, OL; Joey Huber, P; C.W. Hurst, PK
