Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
Ten Bulldogs honored with All-MW postseason accolades
12/14/2020 10:00:00 AM | Football
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Fresno State senior running back Ronnie Rivers was named on Tuesday a 2020 All-Mountain West football first team selection while junior defensive end David Perales and senior offensive lineman Syrus Tuitele were each named to the All-MW second team, the conference office announced. The teams are voted upon by the 12 Mountain West football head coaches, and select media members from each of the 12 markets.
Postseason honors for the Bulldogs also included seven more earning honorable mention nods. That group was comprised of senior Kevin Atkins (DL), sophomore Levelle Bailey (LB), sophomore Jalen Cropper (WR), junior Jake Haener (QB), senior Kwami Jones (DL), senior Keric Wheatfall (WR) and sophomore Evan Williams (DB).
The Bulldogs recognized consisted of five seniors, two juniors and three sophomore and broke down to five offensive players and five defensive players.
First-Team All-MW: Ronnie Rivers -- Running Back -- Senior
Entering the regular season finale:
2020 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL FIRST-TEAM
Offense
QB: Carson Strong, So., Nevada
WR: Khalil Shakir, Jr., Boise State
WR: Romeo Doubs, Jr., Nevada
WR: Bailey Gaither, Sr., San José State
RB: Ronnie Rivers, Sr., Fresno State
RB: Xazavian Valladay, Jr., Wyoming
TE: Cole Turner, Jr., Nevada
OL: Nolan Laufenberg, Sr., Air Force
OL: Parker Ferguson, Sr., Air Force
OL: Kyle Spalding, Sr., San Diego State
OL: Jack Snyder, Sr., San José State
OL: Keegan Cryder, Jr., Wyoming
PK: Brandon Talton, So., Nevada
KR: Avery Williams, Sr., Boise State
Defense
DL: Scott Patchan, Sr., Colorado State
DL: Cameron Thomas, So., San Diego State
DL: Cade Hall, Jr., San José State
DL: Viliami Fehoko, So., San José State
LB: Darius Muasau, So., Hawai'i
LB: Caden McDonald, Jr., San Diego State
LB: Kyle Harmon, Jr., San José State
LB: Chad Muma, Jr., Wyoming
DB: Avery Williams, Sr., Boise State
DB: Jerrick Reed, Jr., New Mexico
DB: Darren Hall, Jr., San Diego State
DB: Tariq Thompson, Sr., San Diego State
P: Ryan Stonehouse, Sr., Colorado State
PR: Avery Williams, Sr., Boise State
2020 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL SECOND-TEAM
Offense
QB: Nick Starkel, Sr., San José State
WR: Dante Wright, So., Colorado State
WR: Calvin Turner, Sr., Hawai'i
WR: Tre Walker, Sr., San José State
RB: Toa Taua, Jr., Nevada
RB: Greg Bell, Sr., San Diego State
TE: Tre McBride, Jr., Colorado State
OL: John Ojukwu, Jr., Boise State
OL: Jake Stetz, Sr., Boise State
OL: Syrus Tuitele, Sr., Fresno State
OL: Aaron Frost, Jr., Nevada
OL: Zachary Thomas, Sr., San Diego State
PK: John Hoyland, Fr., Wyoming
KR: Jordan Byrd, Jr., San Diego State
Defense
DL: Shane Irwin, Jr., Boise State
DL: David Perales, Jr., Fresno State
DL: Dom Peterson, Jr., Nevada
DL: Sam Hammond, Sr., Nevada
LB: Riley Whimpey, Sr., Boise State
LB: Dequan Jackson, Jr., Colorado State
LB: Lawson Hall, Sr., Nevada
LB: Brandon Shook, Sr., New Mexico
DB: Kekaula Kaniho, Sr., Boise State
DB: Jalen Walker, Sr., Boise State
DB: Cortez Davis, Sr., Hawai'i
DB: Tre Jenkins, So., San José State
P: Tanner Kuljian, Sr., San Diego State
PR: Romeo Doubs, Jr., Nevada
2020 HONORABLE MENTION
Air Force (3): Kyle Krepsz, OL; Brad Roberts, RB; George Silvanic, DL
Boise State (7): John Bates, TE; Garrett Curran, OL; Jonah Dalmas, PK; Scott Matlock, DL; Ezekiel Noa, LB; CT Thomas, WR; Andrew Van Buren, RB
Colorado State (7): Elijah Johnson, OL; Manny Jones, DL; Toby McBride, DL; Thomas Pannunzio, KR; Cam Reddy, OL; Barry Wesley, OL; Dante Wright, PR
Fresno State (7): Kevin Atkins, DL; Levelle Bailey, LB; Jalen Cropper, WR; Jake Haener, QB; Kwami Jones, DL; Keric Wheatfall, WR; Evan Williams, DB
Hawai'i (4): Chevan Cordeiro, QB; Quintin Frazier, DB; Jared Smart, WR; Blessman Ta'ala, DL
Nevada (6): Julian Diaz, P; Jacob Gardner, OL; Jermaine Ledbetter, OL; Tyler Orsini, OL; BerDale Robins, DB; Tyson Williams, DB
New Mexico (4): Bobby Cole, RB; Joey Noble, DL; Teton Saltes, OL; Kyle Stapley, OL
San Diego State (6): Matt Araiza, PK; Keshawn Banks, DL; Daniel Bellinger, TE; Tyler Hawkins, DB; Dwayne Johnson, Jr., DB; Jonah Tavai, DL
San José State (3): Derrick Deese, Jr., TE; Matt Mercurio, PK; Tre Webb, DB
UNLV (1): Jacoby Windmon, DL
Utah State (8): Demytrick Ali'ifua, OL; Shaq Bond, DB; Nick Heninger, DL; Stephen Kotsanlee, P; Marcus Moore, DL; Savon Scarver, KR; Karter Shaw, OL; AJ Vongphachanh, LB
Wyoming (3): Esaias Gandy, DB; Logan Harris, OL; Isaiah Neyor, WR
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Year
Carson Strong, So., QB, Nevada
Defensive Player of the Year
Cade Hall, Jr., DL, San José State
Special Teams Player of the Year
Avery Williams, Sr., RS, Boise State
Freshman of the Year
Kyle Williams, WR, UNLV
Coach of the Year
Brent Brennan, San José State
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateFootball
Postseason honors for the Bulldogs also included seven more earning honorable mention nods. That group was comprised of senior Kevin Atkins (DL), sophomore Levelle Bailey (LB), sophomore Jalen Cropper (WR), junior Jake Haener (QB), senior Kwami Jones (DL), senior Keric Wheatfall (WR) and sophomore Evan Williams (DB).
The Bulldogs recognized consisted of five seniors, two juniors and three sophomore and broke down to five offensive players and five defensive players.
First-Team All-MW: Ronnie Rivers -- Running Back -- Senior
Entering the regular season finale:
- Led the Mountain West in all-purpose yards per game (163.8), also led in scoring with nine touchdowns (10.8 points per game), and was second in rushing yards per game (101.6). He ranked 9th, 11th and 22nd respectively in the NCAA in those categories.
- Rivers was also the only running back present on the league's top 10 in receptions per game. The senior was seventh in the conference with 5.4 average catches a game.
- Rivers was one of two MW running backs to average better than 100 yards rushing per game. He was the only one to average over 100 yards rushing per game and better than 160 all-purpose yards per game.
- Rivers scored a single game league-best four touchdowns (3 rushing, 1 receiving) on Nov. 7 at UNLV.
- Rivers' 232 all-purpose yards at UNLV ranks as the second most by a MW player this season only behind teammate Jalen Cropper.
- Named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 9.
- Was an all-MW second team selection in 2019.
- Perales ranked No. 1 in the conference and No. 2 in the nation in forced fumbles per game (0.67). He recorded one forced fumble in four consecutive games, the first Bulldog to achieve that in at least 20 years.
- He led the team with 9.0 TFLs. He ranked fourth in the conference, and 29th in the FBS averaging 1.4 per game.
- Tallied 4.0 sacks, aiding a defensive unit that ranked in sacks as team third in the nation with 4.17 per game.
- Against Colorado State (Oct. 29), Perales forced and recovered a fumble, the first time a Bulldog did both in the same game since Nov. 23, 2019. He performed this feat again at Utah State (Nov. 14), but this time he recovered his own forced fumble. That was the first time it had been done by a Bulldog since Sept. 1, 2018.
- Perales started every game this season, his first season eligible for competition with the 'Dogs.
- Helped protect for the top offense in the Mountain West, leading Fresno State to an average of 479.3 yards per game.
- Started all six games at right tackle in 2020.
2020 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL FIRST-TEAM
Offense
QB: Carson Strong, So., Nevada
WR: Khalil Shakir, Jr., Boise State
WR: Romeo Doubs, Jr., Nevada
WR: Bailey Gaither, Sr., San José State
RB: Ronnie Rivers, Sr., Fresno State
RB: Xazavian Valladay, Jr., Wyoming
TE: Cole Turner, Jr., Nevada
OL: Nolan Laufenberg, Sr., Air Force
OL: Parker Ferguson, Sr., Air Force
OL: Kyle Spalding, Sr., San Diego State
OL: Jack Snyder, Sr., San José State
OL: Keegan Cryder, Jr., Wyoming
PK: Brandon Talton, So., Nevada
KR: Avery Williams, Sr., Boise State
Defense
DL: Scott Patchan, Sr., Colorado State
DL: Cameron Thomas, So., San Diego State
DL: Cade Hall, Jr., San José State
DL: Viliami Fehoko, So., San José State
LB: Darius Muasau, So., Hawai'i
LB: Caden McDonald, Jr., San Diego State
LB: Kyle Harmon, Jr., San José State
LB: Chad Muma, Jr., Wyoming
DB: Avery Williams, Sr., Boise State
DB: Jerrick Reed, Jr., New Mexico
DB: Darren Hall, Jr., San Diego State
DB: Tariq Thompson, Sr., San Diego State
P: Ryan Stonehouse, Sr., Colorado State
PR: Avery Williams, Sr., Boise State
2020 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL SECOND-TEAM
Offense
QB: Nick Starkel, Sr., San José State
WR: Dante Wright, So., Colorado State
WR: Calvin Turner, Sr., Hawai'i
WR: Tre Walker, Sr., San José State
RB: Toa Taua, Jr., Nevada
RB: Greg Bell, Sr., San Diego State
TE: Tre McBride, Jr., Colorado State
OL: John Ojukwu, Jr., Boise State
OL: Jake Stetz, Sr., Boise State
OL: Syrus Tuitele, Sr., Fresno State
OL: Aaron Frost, Jr., Nevada
OL: Zachary Thomas, Sr., San Diego State
PK: John Hoyland, Fr., Wyoming
KR: Jordan Byrd, Jr., San Diego State
Defense
DL: Shane Irwin, Jr., Boise State
DL: David Perales, Jr., Fresno State
DL: Dom Peterson, Jr., Nevada
DL: Sam Hammond, Sr., Nevada
LB: Riley Whimpey, Sr., Boise State
LB: Dequan Jackson, Jr., Colorado State
LB: Lawson Hall, Sr., Nevada
LB: Brandon Shook, Sr., New Mexico
DB: Kekaula Kaniho, Sr., Boise State
DB: Jalen Walker, Sr., Boise State
DB: Cortez Davis, Sr., Hawai'i
DB: Tre Jenkins, So., San José State
P: Tanner Kuljian, Sr., San Diego State
PR: Romeo Doubs, Jr., Nevada
2020 HONORABLE MENTION
Air Force (3): Kyle Krepsz, OL; Brad Roberts, RB; George Silvanic, DL
Boise State (7): John Bates, TE; Garrett Curran, OL; Jonah Dalmas, PK; Scott Matlock, DL; Ezekiel Noa, LB; CT Thomas, WR; Andrew Van Buren, RB
Colorado State (7): Elijah Johnson, OL; Manny Jones, DL; Toby McBride, DL; Thomas Pannunzio, KR; Cam Reddy, OL; Barry Wesley, OL; Dante Wright, PR
Fresno State (7): Kevin Atkins, DL; Levelle Bailey, LB; Jalen Cropper, WR; Jake Haener, QB; Kwami Jones, DL; Keric Wheatfall, WR; Evan Williams, DB
Hawai'i (4): Chevan Cordeiro, QB; Quintin Frazier, DB; Jared Smart, WR; Blessman Ta'ala, DL
Nevada (6): Julian Diaz, P; Jacob Gardner, OL; Jermaine Ledbetter, OL; Tyler Orsini, OL; BerDale Robins, DB; Tyson Williams, DB
New Mexico (4): Bobby Cole, RB; Joey Noble, DL; Teton Saltes, OL; Kyle Stapley, OL
San Diego State (6): Matt Araiza, PK; Keshawn Banks, DL; Daniel Bellinger, TE; Tyler Hawkins, DB; Dwayne Johnson, Jr., DB; Jonah Tavai, DL
San José State (3): Derrick Deese, Jr., TE; Matt Mercurio, PK; Tre Webb, DB
UNLV (1): Jacoby Windmon, DL
Utah State (8): Demytrick Ali'ifua, OL; Shaq Bond, DB; Nick Heninger, DL; Stephen Kotsanlee, P; Marcus Moore, DL; Savon Scarver, KR; Karter Shaw, OL; AJ Vongphachanh, LB
Wyoming (3): Esaias Gandy, DB; Logan Harris, OL; Isaiah Neyor, WR
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Year
Carson Strong, So., QB, Nevada
Defensive Player of the Year
Cade Hall, Jr., DL, San José State
Special Teams Player of the Year
Avery Williams, Sr., RS, Boise State
Freshman of the Year
Kyle Williams, WR, UNLV
Coach of the Year
Brent Brennan, San José State
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateFootball
Players Mentioned
DT
/ Football
LB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DE
/ Football
RB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DB
/ FootballFB: Simeon "No Panic" Harris Feature
Wednesday, May 20
Football Spring Preview Show
Saturday, April 25
Spring Football Practice #12: JD Williams
Wednesday, April 22
Spring Practice Report with Jaden Carrillo
Wednesday, April 22