Fresno State Athletics
Bulldog linebackers Rice and Walker headline All-MW awards as first team picks
12/4/2019 12:00:00 PM | Football
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Fresno State linebackers Justin Rice and Mykal Walker were named 2019 All-Mountain West football first team selections on Wednesday, as announced by the conference office in part of its annual awards prior to championship week. It is voted upon by head coaches and select media.
Postseason honors for the Bulldogs also included running back Ronnie Rivers as a second team pick and honorable mention nods for defensive lineman Kevin Atkins, punter Blake Cusick and defensive back Juju Hughes.
With six Bulldogs being recognized for their contributions in 2019, three were juniors that will return to the 2020 team in Atkins, Rice and Rivers while seniors Walker, Cusick and Hughes will graduate.
2019 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL FIRST-TEAM
Offense
QB: Josh Love, Sr., San José State
WR: Warren Jackson, Jr., Colorado State
WR: Cedric Byrd II, Sr., Hawai'i
WR: Tre Walker, Jr., San José State
RB: Charles Williams, Jr., UNLV
RB: Xazavian Valladay, So., Wyoming
TE: Trey McBride, So., Colorado State
OL: Scott Hattok, Sr., Air Force
OL: Nolan Laufenberg, Jr., Air Force
OL: Ezra Cleveland*, Jr., Boise State
OL: John Molchon*, Sr., Boise State
OL: Keith Ismael*, Jr., San Diego State
PK: Dominik Eberle, Sr., Utah State
KR: Savon Scarver*, Jr., Utah State
Defense
DL: Mosese Fifita, Sr., Air Force
DL: Curtis Weaver**, Jr., Boise State
DL: Dom Peterson, So., Nevada
DL: Myles Cheatum, Sr., San Diego State
DL: Cameron Thomas, Fr., San Diego State
LB: Justin Rice, Jr., Fresno State
LB: Mykal Walker*, Sr., Fresno State
LB: Kyahva Tezino*, Sr., San Diego State
LB: David Woodward, Jr., Utah State
LB: Logan Wilson, Sr., Wyoming
DB: Kekaula Kaniho, Jr., Boise State
DB: Jamal Hicks, Sr., Colorado State
DB: Luq Barcoo, Sr., San Diego State
DB: Alijah Halliburton, Sr., Wyoming
P: Ryan Stonehouse*, Jr., Colorado State
PR: Avery Williams, Jr., Boise State
*Two-Time First-Team Selection | **Three-Time First-Team Selection
2019 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL SECOND-TEAM
Offense
QB: Cole McDonald, Jr., Hawai'i
WR: John Hightower, Sr., Boise State
WR: JoJo Ward, Sr., Hawai'i
WR: Siaosi Mariner, Sr., Utah State
RB: George Holani, Fr., Boise State
RB: Ronnie Rivers, Jr., Fresno State
TE: Parker Houston, Sr., San Diego State
OL: Connor Vikupitz, Sr., Air Force
OL: Garrett Larson, Sr., Boise State
OL: Ilm Manning, So., Hawai'i
OL: Daishawn Dixon, Sr., San Diego State
OL: Keegan Cryder, So., Wyoming
PK: Brandon Talton, Fr., Nevada
KR: John Hightower, Sr., Boise State
Defense
DL: Chase Hatada, Sr., Boise State
DL: David Moa, Sr., Boise State
DL: Keshawn Banks, So., San Diego State
DL: Tipa Galeai*, Sr., Utah State
LB: Kyle Johnson, Sr., Air Force
LB: Demonte Meeks, Jr., Air Force
LB: Riley Whimpey, Jr., Boise State
LB: Ethan Aguayo, Sr., San José State
DB: Kekoa Nawahine, Sr., Boise State
DB: Jalen Walker, Jr., Boise State
DB: Tariq Thompson**, Jr., San Diego State
DB: Jericho Flowers, Sr., UNLV
P: Tyson Dyer, Jr., New Mexico
PR: Austin Conway, Sr., Wyoming
*Two-Time Second-Team Selection | ** Three-Time Second-Team Selection
2019 HONORABLE MENTION
Air Force (8): Milton Bugg III, Jr., DB; Jeremy Fejedelem, Sr., DB; Jordan Jackson, Jr., DL; Timothy Jackson, So., FB;
Jake Koehnke, Sr., PK; Zane Lewis, Sr., DB; Geraud Sanders, Sr., WR; Kadin Remsberg, Jr., RB.
Boise State (5): John Bates, Jr., TE; Sonatane Lui, Sr., DL; Eric Quevedo, Sr., OL; Khalil Shakir, So., WR;
Avery Williams, Jr., DB.
Colorado State (2): Anthony Hawkins, Sr., KR; Manny Jones, Jr., DL.
Fresno State (3): Kevin Atkins, Jr., DL; Blake Cusick, Sr., P; Juju Hughes, Sr., DB.
Hawai'i (7): Cortez Davis, Jr., DB; Rojesterman Farris II, Sr., DB; Solomon Matautia, Sr., LB; Kaimana Padello, Sr., DL;
Gene Pryor, OL; Taaga Tuulima, Jr., OL; Blessman Ta'ala, So., DL.
Nevada (4): Daniel Brown, Sr., DB; Romeo Doubs, WR, PR; Gabriel Sewell, Sr., LB; Toa Taua, So., RB.
New Mexico (4): Ahmari Davis, Sr., RB; Alex Hart, Sr., LB; Teton Saltes, Jr., OL; Kyle Stapley, Jr., OL.
San Diego State (5): Matt Araiza, Fr., PK; William Dunkle, Fr., OL; Darren Hall, So., DB; Brandon Heicklen, Sr., P;
Dwayne Johnson Jr., Jr., DB.
San José State (4): Bailey Gaither, Sr., WR; Troy Kowalski, Sr., OL; Matt Mercurio, Fr., PK; Jack Snyder, Jr., OL.
UNLV (4): Julio Garcia, Jr., OL; Rayshad Jackson, Sr., LB; Justin Polu, Sr., OL; Javin White, Sr., LB.
Utah State (5): Shaq Bond, Jr., DB; Gerold Bright, Sr., RB; Jordan Love, Jr., QB; Caleb Repp, Sr., TE;
Christopher Unga, Sr., DL.
Wyoming (3): Tyler Hall, Sr., DB; Logan Harris, Jr., OL; Cassh Maluia, Sr., LB.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Year
Josh Love, Sr., QB, San José State
Defensive Player of the Year
Curtis Weaver, Jr., DE, Boise State
Special Teams Player of the Year
Avery Williams, Jr., RS, Boise State
Freshman of the Year
George Holani, RB, Boise State
Coach of the Year
Nick Rolovich, Hawai'i
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Postseason honors for the Bulldogs also included running back Ronnie Rivers as a second team pick and honorable mention nods for defensive lineman Kevin Atkins, punter Blake Cusick and defensive back Juju Hughes.
With six Bulldogs being recognized for their contributions in 2019, three were juniors that will return to the 2020 team in Atkins, Rice and Rivers while seniors Walker, Cusick and Hughes will graduate.
ABOUT THE WINNERS:
First-Team All-MW: Justin Rice -- Linebacker -- Redshirt Junior
First-Team All-MW: Justin Rice -- Linebacker -- Redshirt Junior
- Racked up 112 total tackles (65 solo, 47 assisted) to lead Fresno State and rank third in the Mountain West.
- Ranked fourth in the Mountain West with 9.3 tackles per game; also good for 23rd-best in the FBS.
- Ranks second in the Mountain West with 5.4 solo tackles per game; tied for 18th-best in the FBS.
- Recorded double-digit tackles in eight of 12 games.
- Registered a career-best 13 tackles at Air Force.
- He was one of 12 players in the FBS to have forced at least four fumbles. He is forcing .33 fumbles per game which is tied for the fifth-highest frequency in the FBS.
- Was one of 25 players in the nation to have caused at least six turnovers.
- Was the only player in the nation to have four forced fumbles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
- Has two interceptions this season - tied for a team-high.
- Returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown versus UNLV. It was the first time a Bulldog returned a fumble recovery since 2013.
- Owned second-most TFLs on the team with seven; also had two sacks.
- With seven broken up passes, led all Fresno State linebackers and tied for the second-most on the team.
- Owned the eighth-most tackles in the Mountain West, and was second on the team, with 96 total tackles.
- Walker was tied for eighth in the Mountain West in tackles per game, averaging 8.0.
- Led the team with 9.0 TFL.
- Walker opened the season with a career-best 15 tackles at USC.
- He added 2.5 sacks for a loss of 10 yards on the year.
- Also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble on the year.
- Added three quarterback hurries and four pass breakups.
- Against UNLV, the senior recorded nine tackles with all nine being solo stops. It is the first time that has happened since Mike Bell had nine solo stops in the 2018 Mountain West Championship game at Boise State on Dec. 1, 2018.
- After making the transition to middle linebacker from defensive end, has seen a shift back to the line as injuries took a toll on that position room. Walker has played both positions throughout the season.
- Led the Mountain West with 16 total touchdowns on the season.
- Led the Mountain West with 13 rushing touchdowns on the season.
- Scored at least one touchdown in every Mountain West game of 2019.
- Owned four 100-yard rushing games, posting the numbers in three consecutive games (vs. Colorado State, at Hawai'i, vs. Utah State). Rivers added his fourth with a season-best 177 rushing yards at San Jose State on Nov. 30.
- Owned six 100-yard all-purpose games, and two 200-yard all-purpose games.
- Scored 18 points on a season-high three touchdowns versus Utah State.
- Recorded 899 rushing yards on 177 attempts (5.1 per attempt).
- Ranked tied for fourth in the Mountain West for most explosive run plays (20 yards-plus) with eight.
- Owned 1,367 all-purpose yards in 2019 – third in the Mountain West.
- Led Mountain West running backs in receptions (43), receiving yards (348) and receiving touchdowns (3).
- As the primary punt returner, had nine returns for 120 yards. Had a season-long 35-yard return at San Jose State.
- Led the Bulldog defensive line in 2019 with 31 total tackles.
- Recorded a team-high 5.0 sacks on the year.
- Ranked third on the team with 7.0 TFLs.
- Had two sacks and a forced fumble against Minnesota.
- Had a blocked kick versus Sacramento State.
- Was in the top 20 in the NCAA in sacks per game after Week 4.
- Atkins recorded a tackle in all but one game on the year.
- Averaged 42.5 yards per punt.
- Punted 52 times for a total of 2,209 yards.
- Landed 17 of 52 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
- Owned 11 punts of 50+ yards.
- No punts were blocked.
- Had a season-long 64-yard punt at Air Force.
- Of his 52 punts, 12 punts were returned for 51 total yards on the year.
- Fresno State ranks fourth in the Mountain West and 33rd in the NCAA in net punting at 39.96.
- Ranked 18th in the Mountain West with 6.7 tackles per game.
- Owned the third-most tackles on the team with 80 stops and led all Bulldog defensive backs.
- Owns three games with 10 or more tackles.
- Matched his career-high with 11 total tackles in the season opener at USC.
- Was third on the team with 47 solo tackles.
- Grabbed an interception and returned it 36 yards against UNLV and picked up another interception a week later versus Colorado State.
2019 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL FIRST-TEAM
Offense
QB: Josh Love, Sr., San José State
WR: Warren Jackson, Jr., Colorado State
WR: Cedric Byrd II, Sr., Hawai'i
WR: Tre Walker, Jr., San José State
RB: Charles Williams, Jr., UNLV
RB: Xazavian Valladay, So., Wyoming
TE: Trey McBride, So., Colorado State
OL: Scott Hattok, Sr., Air Force
OL: Nolan Laufenberg, Jr., Air Force
OL: Ezra Cleveland*, Jr., Boise State
OL: John Molchon*, Sr., Boise State
OL: Keith Ismael*, Jr., San Diego State
PK: Dominik Eberle, Sr., Utah State
KR: Savon Scarver*, Jr., Utah State
Defense
DL: Mosese Fifita, Sr., Air Force
DL: Curtis Weaver**, Jr., Boise State
DL: Dom Peterson, So., Nevada
DL: Myles Cheatum, Sr., San Diego State
DL: Cameron Thomas, Fr., San Diego State
LB: Justin Rice, Jr., Fresno State
LB: Mykal Walker*, Sr., Fresno State
LB: Kyahva Tezino*, Sr., San Diego State
LB: David Woodward, Jr., Utah State
LB: Logan Wilson, Sr., Wyoming
DB: Kekaula Kaniho, Jr., Boise State
DB: Jamal Hicks, Sr., Colorado State
DB: Luq Barcoo, Sr., San Diego State
DB: Alijah Halliburton, Sr., Wyoming
P: Ryan Stonehouse*, Jr., Colorado State
PR: Avery Williams, Jr., Boise State
*Two-Time First-Team Selection | **Three-Time First-Team Selection
2019 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL SECOND-TEAM
Offense
QB: Cole McDonald, Jr., Hawai'i
WR: John Hightower, Sr., Boise State
WR: JoJo Ward, Sr., Hawai'i
WR: Siaosi Mariner, Sr., Utah State
RB: George Holani, Fr., Boise State
RB: Ronnie Rivers, Jr., Fresno State
TE: Parker Houston, Sr., San Diego State
OL: Connor Vikupitz, Sr., Air Force
OL: Garrett Larson, Sr., Boise State
OL: Ilm Manning, So., Hawai'i
OL: Daishawn Dixon, Sr., San Diego State
OL: Keegan Cryder, So., Wyoming
PK: Brandon Talton, Fr., Nevada
KR: John Hightower, Sr., Boise State
Defense
DL: Chase Hatada, Sr., Boise State
DL: David Moa, Sr., Boise State
DL: Keshawn Banks, So., San Diego State
DL: Tipa Galeai*, Sr., Utah State
LB: Kyle Johnson, Sr., Air Force
LB: Demonte Meeks, Jr., Air Force
LB: Riley Whimpey, Jr., Boise State
LB: Ethan Aguayo, Sr., San José State
DB: Kekoa Nawahine, Sr., Boise State
DB: Jalen Walker, Jr., Boise State
DB: Tariq Thompson**, Jr., San Diego State
DB: Jericho Flowers, Sr., UNLV
P: Tyson Dyer, Jr., New Mexico
PR: Austin Conway, Sr., Wyoming
*Two-Time Second-Team Selection | ** Three-Time Second-Team Selection
2019 HONORABLE MENTION
Air Force (8): Milton Bugg III, Jr., DB; Jeremy Fejedelem, Sr., DB; Jordan Jackson, Jr., DL; Timothy Jackson, So., FB;
Jake Koehnke, Sr., PK; Zane Lewis, Sr., DB; Geraud Sanders, Sr., WR; Kadin Remsberg, Jr., RB.
Boise State (5): John Bates, Jr., TE; Sonatane Lui, Sr., DL; Eric Quevedo, Sr., OL; Khalil Shakir, So., WR;
Avery Williams, Jr., DB.
Colorado State (2): Anthony Hawkins, Sr., KR; Manny Jones, Jr., DL.
Fresno State (3): Kevin Atkins, Jr., DL; Blake Cusick, Sr., P; Juju Hughes, Sr., DB.
Hawai'i (7): Cortez Davis, Jr., DB; Rojesterman Farris II, Sr., DB; Solomon Matautia, Sr., LB; Kaimana Padello, Sr., DL;
Gene Pryor, OL; Taaga Tuulima, Jr., OL; Blessman Ta'ala, So., DL.
Nevada (4): Daniel Brown, Sr., DB; Romeo Doubs, WR, PR; Gabriel Sewell, Sr., LB; Toa Taua, So., RB.
New Mexico (4): Ahmari Davis, Sr., RB; Alex Hart, Sr., LB; Teton Saltes, Jr., OL; Kyle Stapley, Jr., OL.
San Diego State (5): Matt Araiza, Fr., PK; William Dunkle, Fr., OL; Darren Hall, So., DB; Brandon Heicklen, Sr., P;
Dwayne Johnson Jr., Jr., DB.
San José State (4): Bailey Gaither, Sr., WR; Troy Kowalski, Sr., OL; Matt Mercurio, Fr., PK; Jack Snyder, Jr., OL.
UNLV (4): Julio Garcia, Jr., OL; Rayshad Jackson, Sr., LB; Justin Polu, Sr., OL; Javin White, Sr., LB.
Utah State (5): Shaq Bond, Jr., DB; Gerold Bright, Sr., RB; Jordan Love, Jr., QB; Caleb Repp, Sr., TE;
Christopher Unga, Sr., DL.
Wyoming (3): Tyler Hall, Sr., DB; Logan Harris, Jr., OL; Cassh Maluia, Sr., LB.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Year
Josh Love, Sr., QB, San José State
Defensive Player of the Year
Curtis Weaver, Jr., DE, Boise State
Special Teams Player of the Year
Avery Williams, Jr., RS, Boise State
Freshman of the Year
George Holani, RB, Boise State
Coach of the Year
Nick Rolovich, Hawai'i
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Players Mentioned
DT
/ Football
P
/ Football
DB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballPost-Game Press Conference [10/10]
Friday, October 10
FB Weekly Press Conference [10/6]
Monday, October 06
FB highlight vs Nevada [10/4/25]
Monday, October 06
Post-Game Press Conference [10/4]
Sunday, October 05