Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Athlon Sports names four ‘Dogs to preseason team; Rimington Watch List announced
5/22/2017 10:45:00 AM | Football
Summer’s first round of preseason nods come 103 days before the ‘Dogs kick off the season on Sept. 2
FRESNO, Calif. – Athlon Sports released its 2017 Mountain West preseason all-conference team on Monday morning, tabbing four Bulldogs to the team.
Third-Team Offense: WR KeeSean Johnson, Jr.
Third-Team Defense: DL Nathan Madsen, Sr.
Fourth-Team Defense: LB James Bailey, Jr.
Fourth-Team Specialists: K Kody Kroening, Sr.
Johnson and Kroening are two of the four returning squad members from the 2016 All-Mountain West team.
Johnson owned the third-best receptions per game total in the conference with 5.5 catches per game while his 64.4 receiving yards per game total ranked No. 8 in the league. Johnson led Fresno State in receptions (66), yards (773), touchdowns (6) and yards per game (64.4).
Kroening, a 2016 Lou Groza Place-Kicker Award semifinalist, made 15 consecutive field goals as a junior, tying a single-season school record set by Kevin Goessling in 2009. Kroening's 15 made field goals equaled an average of 1.36 makes per game, which ranked third-best in the league and 31st in the FBS. He was perfect on PAT kicking (23-of-23) and totaled 68 points for the 'Dogs a season ago.
Madsen, registered 22 tackles (11 solo), 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for a loss in 12 games at defensive end as a junior. The senior is the Bulldogs' active career leader in starts with 26.
In 2016, Bailey started all 12 games at outside linebacker as a true sophomore. With 59 tackles last year, Bailey returns as one of the team's two returning tackles leaders (59), a feat shared with teammate DeShawn Potts. That duo tied for the third-most stops on the team last fall.
An important note on the all-conference teams: these are based on how players will perform in 2017, according to Athlon Sports. Career statistics and awards matter in the evaluation, but choosing players for the 2017 all-conference team is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year. For the full preseason team, click HERE.
Aaron Mitchell named to Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List
Senior center Aaron Mitchell was named one of seven student-athletes to the Rimington Trophy Watch List from the Mountain West.
The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the Most Outstanding Center in NCAA Division I-A College Football. Since its inception, the Rimington Trophy has raised over $2.9 million for the cystic fibrosis community. The award is overseen by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and has raised over $130 million for the fight against cystic fibrosis.
For more on the Rimington Trophy and a full rundown of the watch list, visit www.rimingtontrophy.com.
2017 season opens at home, September 2
The Red Wave can take advantage of season ticket deals that start as low as $99, which includes all six games set to be played on Saturdays this fall, highlighted by Boise State and BYU visiting Bulldog Stadium, and the homecoming game on Oct. 14 against New Mexico.
Fresno State also introduced the Bulldog Pass, a ticket option for young alumni and staff, which starts as low as $79 for entry to all six home football games while student ticket packages are $60 to attend each home game in 2017.
Fans can secure their seats by contacting the Fresno State ticket office by calling 559-278-3647 or by visiting GoBulldogs.com.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes is the official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat: FSAthletics
Third-Team Offense: WR KeeSean Johnson, Jr.
Third-Team Defense: DL Nathan Madsen, Sr.
Fourth-Team Defense: LB James Bailey, Jr.
Fourth-Team Specialists: K Kody Kroening, Sr.
Johnson and Kroening are two of the four returning squad members from the 2016 All-Mountain West team.
Johnson owned the third-best receptions per game total in the conference with 5.5 catches per game while his 64.4 receiving yards per game total ranked No. 8 in the league. Johnson led Fresno State in receptions (66), yards (773), touchdowns (6) and yards per game (64.4).
Kroening, a 2016 Lou Groza Place-Kicker Award semifinalist, made 15 consecutive field goals as a junior, tying a single-season school record set by Kevin Goessling in 2009. Kroening's 15 made field goals equaled an average of 1.36 makes per game, which ranked third-best in the league and 31st in the FBS. He was perfect on PAT kicking (23-of-23) and totaled 68 points for the 'Dogs a season ago.
Madsen, registered 22 tackles (11 solo), 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for a loss in 12 games at defensive end as a junior. The senior is the Bulldogs' active career leader in starts with 26.
In 2016, Bailey started all 12 games at outside linebacker as a true sophomore. With 59 tackles last year, Bailey returns as one of the team's two returning tackles leaders (59), a feat shared with teammate DeShawn Potts. That duo tied for the third-most stops on the team last fall.
An important note on the all-conference teams: these are based on how players will perform in 2017, according to Athlon Sports. Career statistics and awards matter in the evaluation, but choosing players for the 2017 all-conference team is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year. For the full preseason team, click HERE.
Aaron Mitchell named to Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List
Senior center Aaron Mitchell was named one of seven student-athletes to the Rimington Trophy Watch List from the Mountain West.
The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the Most Outstanding Center in NCAA Division I-A College Football. Since its inception, the Rimington Trophy has raised over $2.9 million for the cystic fibrosis community. The award is overseen by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and has raised over $130 million for the fight against cystic fibrosis.
For more on the Rimington Trophy and a full rundown of the watch list, visit www.rimingtontrophy.com.
2017 season opens at home, September 2
The Red Wave can take advantage of season ticket deals that start as low as $99, which includes all six games set to be played on Saturdays this fall, highlighted by Boise State and BYU visiting Bulldog Stadium, and the homecoming game on Oct. 14 against New Mexico.
Fresno State also introduced the Bulldog Pass, a ticket option for young alumni and staff, which starts as low as $79 for entry to all six home football games while student ticket packages are $60 to attend each home game in 2017.
Fans can secure their seats by contacting the Fresno State ticket office by calling 559-278-3647 or by visiting GoBulldogs.com.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes is the official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat: FSAthletics
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