2015 MW FOOTBALL STANDINGS: MOUNTAIN DIVISION 2015 MW FOOTBALL STANDINGS: WEST DIVISION

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1 177 NFL DRAFT SELECTIONS 13 CONSENSUS ALL-AMERICANS 7 MAJOR NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS 4 BCS/CFP BOWL VICTORIES 2015 FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES MONDAY, DECEMBER 14 Primary Contact: Javan Hedlund O: (719) M: (719) jhedlund@themw.com Secondary Contact: Stuart Buchanan O: (719) M: (970) sbuchanan@themw.com 2015 MW FOOTBALL STANDINGS: MOUNTAIN DIVISION Team (Rank: Coaches/AP) MW PF PA Hm Rd Pct Overall PF PA Hm Rd Neu Pct Streak Air Force Lost 2 Boise State Won 1 Colorado State Won 4 New Mexico Won 1 Utah State Lost 1 Wyoming Won MW FOOTBALL STANDINGS: WEST DIVISION Team MW PF PA Hm Rd Pct Overall PF PA Hm Rd Neu Pct Streak San Diego State Won 9 Nevada Lost 2 San José State Lost 1 UNLV Lost 3 Fresno State Lost 2 Hawai i Won 1 GILDAN NEW MEXICO BOWL: ARIZONA VS. NEW MEXICO SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 NOON MT ESPN Stadium (Capacity): University Stadium (37,235) Field Surface: FieldTurf City: Albuquerque, New Mexico Series: Arizona leads Last Meeting:.... Sept. 13, 2008: New Mexico 36, Arizona 28 in Albuquerque Bowl Website: GildanNewMexicoBowl.com Social Media: Facebook.com/NewMexicoBowl FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL: AKRON VS. UTAH STATE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 1:30 P.M. MT ESPN Stadium (Capacity): Albertsons Stadium (37,000) Field Surface: Blue Field Turf City: Boise, Idaho Series: First meeting Last Meeting: First meeting Bowl Website: FamousIdahoPotatoBowl.com Social Media:.. Facebook.com/FamousIdahoPotatoBowl HAWAI I BOWL: SAN DIEGO STATE VS. CINCINNATI THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 3 P.M. HT ESPN Stadium (Capacity): Aloha Stadium (50,000) Field Surface: Synthetic Infilled Turf City: Honolulu, Hawaii Series: Cincinnati leads 1-0 Last Meeting: Sept. 29, 2007: Cincinnati 52, SDSU 23 in San Diego Bowl Website: HawaiiBowl.ESPNEvents.com Social Facebook.com/SheratonHawaiiBowl AUTONATION CURE BOWL: SAN JOSÉ STATE VS. GEORGIA STATE SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 7 P.M. ET CBS SPORTS NETWORK Stadium (Capacity): Orlando Citrus Bowl (60,219) Field Surface: AstroTurf City: Orlando, Florida Series: First meeting Last Meeting: First meeting Bowl Website: CureBowl.com Social Media: Facebook.com/CureBowl SDCCU POINSETTIA BOWL: BOISE STATE VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23 1:30 P.M. PT ESPN Stadium (Capacity): Qualcomm Stadium (66,000) Field Surface: Natural Grass City: San Diego, California Series: First meeting Last Meeting: First meeting Bowl Website: PoinsettiaBowl.com Social Media: Facebook.com/PoinsettiaBowl LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL: CAL VS. AIR FORCE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29 1 P.M. CT ESPN Stadium (Capacity): Amon G. Carter Stadium (45,000) Field Surface: Natural Grass City: Fort Worth, Texas Series: Cal leads 6-2 Last Meeting: Dec. 31, 2007: Cal 42, Air Force 36 in Fort Worth Bowl Website: ArmedForcesBowl.com Social Media:.... Facebook.com/ArmedForcesBowl NOVA HOME LOANS ARIZONA BOWL: NEVADA VS. COLORADO STATE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29 5:30 P.M. MT AMERICAN SPORTS NETWORK/CAMPUS INSIDERS Stadium (Capacity): Arizona Stadium (56,029) Field Surface: FieldTurf City: Tucson, Arizona Series: Colorado State leads 11-2 Last Meeting:..... Oct. 11, 2014: Colorado State 31, Nevada 24 in Reno Bowl Website: AZBowlGame.com Social Facebook.com/AZBowlGame THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 1

2 MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL MEDIA SERVICES MW COMMUNICATIONS STAFF Javan Hedlund, Associate Commissioner, Communications (primary football contact) O: (719) M: (719) E: Stuart Buchanan, Assistant Director of Communications (secondary football contact) O: (719) M: (970) E: Dwayne Groff, Assistant Director of Communications O: (719) E: Judy Willson, Associate Director of Communications O: (719) M: (719) E: Lynn Hughes, Compliance/Communications Assistant O: (719) E: MW NETWORK STAFF Brian Tripp, Associate Commissioner O: (719) M: (303) E: Jesse Kurtz, Executive Producer O: (719) M: (719) E: Stormy Buonantony, Production Assistant/Host O: (719) M: (702) E: THE INTERNET - THEMW.COM The official Mountain West website is hosted by SportsLabs as part of Silver Chalice Ventures. Live stats will be available for each home football game, and box scores will be posted on TheMW.com following the conclusion of each contest. You can also find: MOUNTAIN WEST SERVICE Information regarding the Mountain West s 18 sponsored sports will be ed throughout the year to accredited media. To be added to the list, please contact Javan Hedlund in the Conference office. ACCESS TO MW PHOTOS, VIDEO AND AUDIO Video highlights, audio clips and high-resolution photos will be made available to accredited media throughout the 2015 MW football season. To access this content, please contact the Conference office. ACCESS TO MW PHOTOS, VIDEO AND AUDIO The best way to stay on top of breaking news, trending topics and quick-hitting notes for your blog or columns is to follow the Mountain West online. Visit the Conference s official website and mobile applications for iphone, ipad, ipod touch and Android devices to stay on top of all of the action: You can also follow the Mountain West on the league s official social Hashtag: #MWFB Facebook.com/MountainWestConference MW Football Standings Team-by-Team Statistics and Results Overall and Conference-Only Statistics (PDF available) Weekly Release (PDF available) Players of the Week Television Information STATISTICS/WEEKLY RELEASES The MW will post updated statistics to the Conference website no later than the morning following every game. The MW Players of the Week and the weekly press notes will be made available every Monday. You may obtain this information either on the Conference website or via . PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Mountain West Players of the Week will be released every Monday from September 7 - November 30. Nominations are submitted by the instiutional sports information offices and the winners are selected by the MW communications staff. Weekly award winners are selected for offense, defense and special teams. AWARDS AND HONORS The league champion will be based on Conference play. The annual individual awards will be voted on by each of the 12 head coaches and selected members of the media. Following is a list of regular-season awards that will be presented: Regular-Season Team Champion Coach of the Year Offensive Player of the Year Defensive Player of the Year Special Teams Player of the Year Freshman of the Year All-Conference, First and Second Team (11 offensive players by position, 11 defensive players by position, 1 place kicker, 1 punter, 1 special teams player) MW FOOTBALL ON SIRIUS/XM SATELLITE RADIO The following games will be available on SIRIUS/XM Satellite radio this week: Date Game Time SIRIUS/XM Sat., Dec. 19 Arizona vs. New Mexico... Noon MT...SIRIUS 80/ XM 80 Sat., Dec. 19 Georgia St. vs. San José St p.m. ET...SIRIUS 84/ XM 84 Tue., Dec. 22 Akron vs. Utah State... 1:30 p.m. MT...SIRIUS 80/ XM 80 Wed., Dec. 23 Boise St. vs. Northern Illinois... 1:30 p.m. PT... SIRIUS 80/ XM 80 Thur., Dec. 24 San Diego St. vs. Cincinnati... 3 p.m. HT...SIRIUS 80/ XM 80 Tue., Dec. 29 Air Force vs. California... 1 p.m. CT...SIRIUS 80/ XM 80 CollegePressBox.com is the official media website for Division I football. Access and download weekly game notes, quotes, statistics, media guides, headshots, logos and more for each conference and its member institutions. Login information will be distributed to accredited media by contacting Javan Hedlund (jhedlund@themw.com) or Stuart Buchanan (sbuchanan@themw.com). You can also apply for a password by sending an to password@collegepressbox.com. THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 2

3 MEDIA CONTACTS - MOUNTAIN DIVISION Air Force - Troy Garnhart/Dave Toller Phone: (719) / Fax: (719) Press Box: (719) troy.garnhart@usafa.edu dave.toller@usafa.edu Website: GoAirForceFalcons.com Flagship Radio:... KVOR 740 AM (Colorado Springs) / KKFN FM (Denver) Twitter: @AFFootball Facebook: Facebook.com/AirForceAthletics YouTube: YouTube.com/GoAirForceFalcons Boise State - Joe Nickell/Aaron Juarez Phone: (208) / Fax: (208) Press Box: (208) joenickell@boisestate.edu aaronjuarez@boisestate.edu Website: BroncoSports.com Flagship Radio: KBOI 670 AM (Boise) Twitter: @BroncoSportsFB Facebook: Facebook.com/BoiseStateBroncos YouTube: YouTube.com/BroncoSports Colorado State - Paul Kirk/Nic Hallisey Phone: (970) / Fax: (970) Press Box: (970) paul.kirk@colostate.edu nic.hallisey@colostate.edu Website: CSURams.com Flagship Radio:.. ESPN FM (Denver/Fort Collins) YouTube: YouTube.com/CSURamsAthletics New Mexico - Frank Mercogliano Phone: (505) Fax: (505) Press Box: (505) fmercog@unm.edu Website: GoLobos.com Flagship Radio: KKOB 770 AM (Albuquerque) Facebook: Facebook.com/UNMLoboFootball YouTube: YouTube.com/LoboTVNewMexicoLobos Utah State - Doug Hoffman/Wade Denniston Phone: (435) / Fax: (435) Press Box: (435) doug.hoffman@usu.edu wade.denniston@usu.edu Website: UtahStateAggies.com Flagship Radio: KVNU 610 AM (Logan) Facebook: Facebook.com/USUFootball YouTube: YouTube.com/UtahStateAthletics Wyoming - Tim Harkins/Nick Seeman Phone: (307) / Fax: (307) Press Box: (307) tharkins@uwyo.edu nseeman@uwyo.edu Website: GoWYO.com Flagship Radio: KFBC 1240 AM (Cheyenne) Facebook: Facebook.com/WYOFootball YouTube: YouTube.com/WyomingAthletics MEDIA CONTACTS - WEST DIVISION Fresno State - Jason Clay/Matt Burkholder Phone: (559) / Fax: (559) Press Box: (559) jaclay@csufresno.edu mburkholder@csufresno.edu Website: GoBulldogs.com Flagship Radio: ESPN 940 AM (Fresno) / ESPN Deportes 1600 AM (Fresno) Facebook: Facebook.com/FresnoStateAthletics YouTube: YouTube.com/FresnoStateAthletics Hawai i - Derek Inouchi/Michael Stambaugh Phone: (808) / Fax: (808) Press Box: (808) inouchi@hawaii.edu mstambau@hawaii.edu Website: HawaiiAthletics.com Flagship Radio: ESPN 1420 AM (Honolulu) Twitter: @HawaiiFootball Facebook:...Facebook.com/HawaiiRainbowWarriorsFootball YouTube: YouTube.com/HawaiiAthletics Nevada - Chad Hartley/Brady Johnson Phone: (775) / Fax: (775) Press Box: (775) hartleyc@unr.edu bradyjohnson@unr.edu Website: NevadaWolfPack.com Flagship Radio: ESPN 94.5 FM (Reno) Facebook: Facebook.com/NevadaWolfPack YouTube: YouTube.com/WolfPackAthletics San Diego State - Mike May/Jamie McConeghy Phone: (619) / Fax: (619) Press Box: (619) mmay@mail.sdsu.edu jmcconeg@mail.sdsu.edu Website: GoAztecs.com Flagship Radio:.... The Mighty 1090 AM (San Diego) Twitter: @GoAztecs Facebook: Facebook.com/GoAztecs YouTube: YouTube.com/GoAztecsCom Instagram: @GoAztecs San José State - Lawrence Fan/Richard Stern Phone: (408) / Fax: (408) Press Box: (408) lawrence.fan@sjsu.edu richard.stern@sjsu.edu Website: SJSUSpartans.com Flagship Radio: KLIV 1590 AM (San Jose) Facebook: Facebook.com/SJSUSpartans YouTube: YouTube.com/SJSUAthletics UNLV - Mark Wallington/Sage Sammons Phone: (702) / Fax: (702) Press Box: (702) mark.wallington@unlv.edu sage.sammons@unlv.edu Website: UNLVRebels.com Flagship Radio: ESPN-1100 AM / 98.9 FM (Las Vegas) Facebook: Facebook.com/UNLVAthletics YouTube: YouTube.com/UNLVAthletics HEAD COACHING RECORDS Air Force - Troy Calhoun Overall: (9th season) School: (9th season) Boise State - Bryan Harsin Overall: (3rd season) School: (2nd season) Colorado State - Mike Bobo Overall: (1st season) School: (1st season) Fresno State - Tim DeRuyter Overall: (4th season) School: (4th season) Hawai i - Chris Naeole (Interim) Overall: (Interim) School: (Interim) Nevada - Brian Polian Overall: (3rd season) School: (3rd season) New Mexico - Bob Davie Overall: (9th season) School: (4th season) San Diego State - Rocky Long Overall: (16th season) School: (5th season) San José State - Ron Caragher Overall: (9th season) School: (3rd season) UNLV - Tony Sanchez Overall: (1st season) School: (1st season) Utah State - Matt Wells Overall: (3rd season) School: (3rd season) Wyoming - Craig Bohl Overall: (13th season) School: (2nd season) 2015 ATTENDANCE FIGURES REGULAR SEASON HOME Team G Total Avg. High Air Force 6 156,158 26,026 37,716 Boise State 6 201,669 33,612 36,836 Colorado State 6 149,500 24,917 32,546 Fresno State 6 174,217 29,036 33,675 Hawai i 7 159,287 22,756 28,543 Nevada 6 133,022 22,170 29,551 New Mexico 7 157,935 22,562 30,900 San Diego State 6 182,500 30,417 48,785 San José State 6 91,869 15,312 17,264 UNLV 6 116,228 19,371 31,262 Utah State 6 128,172 21,362 22,509 Wyoming 6 108,361 18,060 23,669 Total 74 1,758,918 23,769 REGULAR SEASON ROAD/NEUTRAL SITES Team G Total Avg. High Air Force 6 211,092 35,182 74,211 Boise State 6 184,608 30,768 63,470 Colorado State 6 179,717 29,953 66,253 Fresno State 6 206,775 34,463 60,302 Hawai i 6 284,420 47, ,145 Nevada 6 206,026 34, ,591 New Mexico 5 126,885 25,377 43,310 San Diego State 6 223,682 37,280 95,107 San José State 6 201,138 33,523 87,451 UNLV 6 206,083 34, ,683 Utah State 6 201,882 33,647 59,464 Wyoming 6 162,071 27,012 36,688 Total 71 2,394,379 33,724 THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 3

4 MW FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK BOWL ELIGIBILITY The Mountain West will send a record eight teams into postseason bowl games in The previous record of seven was set in both 2013 and The Mountain West has earned 77 bowl bids since 1999 and holds a (.551) all-time record. The 2015 postseason marks the ninth consecutive year the MW has sent at least five teams to bowls and the 12th time overall since the league s inception. It also marks the fourth straight season that six or more MW squads advanced to the postseason. The league has also posted an overall postseason mark of at least.500 in eight of the last 11 seasons. San Diego State (10-3), Air Force (8-5), Boise State (8-4), Colorado State (7-5), New Mexico (7-5), Nevada (6-6), Utah State (6-6) and San José State are all bowl eligible. The Falcons have qualified for the postseason in eight of the last nine years, while the Broncos have played in a bowl game in each of the last 13 seasons. The Aztecs are bowl eligible for the sixth straight year, while the Rams qualify for the postseason for the third consecutive year. The Wolf Pack are eligible for a bowl for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons and the Aggies have earn bowl-eligibility for a program record fifth straight time. The Lobos have reached the six win mark for the first time since 2007 and the Spartans are will be making their 10th postseason bowl appearance and first since Over the last 11 years, the Mountain West has captured the Bowl Challenge Cup four times and owns the second-best win percentage in bowl games among the 10 FBS conferences with a mark (.574) during that span. The MW is the only conference to win the trophy four times since the award s inception in Conference Bowl Record (since 2004) Pct. SEC MOUNTAIN WEST Pac Big East/American Conference USA Big Sun Belt ACC Big Ten MAC MOUNTAIN VS. WEST The Mountain Division holds an all-time record of (.556) against opponents from the West Division since divisional play was established in the Mountain West in MOUNTAIN DIVISION WEST DIVISION 2015 Record vs. West: 11-5 (.688) 2015 Record vs. Mountain: 5-11 (.312) At Home: 6-1 (.857) At Home: 4-5 (.444) On Road: 5-4 (.556) On Road: 1-6 (.143) 2014 Record vs. West: 14-5 (.737) 2014 Record vs. Mountain: 5-14 (.263) At Home: 7-3 (.700) At Home: 2-7 (.222) On Road: 7-2 (.778) On Road: 3-7 (.300) 2013 Record vs. West: 7-12 (.368) 2013 Record vs. Mountain: 12-7 (.632) At Home: 4-5 (.444) At Home: 7-3 (.700) On Road: 3-7 (.300) On Road: 5-4 (.556) All-Time vs. West: (.593) All-Time vs. Mountain: (.407) At Home: 17-9 (.654) At Home: (.464) On Road: (.536) On Road: 9-17 (.346) Teams with 8+ wins in 2015: 2 Teams with 8+ wins in 2015: 1 Teams with 8+ wins in 2014: 4 Teams with 8+ wins in 2014: 0 Teams with 8+ wins in 2013: 3 Teams with 8+ wins in 2013: 2 MW Championship Game Record: 1-1 MW Championship Game Record: Bowl Appearances: Bowl Appearances: Bowl Appearances: Bowl Appearances: Bowl Record: Bowl Record: Bowl Appearances: Bowl Appearances: Bowl Record: Bowl Record: PLAYERS OF THE WEEK SEPTEMBER 7 Offense Defense Special Teams SEPTEMBER 14 Offense Defense Special Teams SEPTEMBER 21 Offense Defense Special Teams SEPTEMBER 28 Offense Defense Special Teams OCTOBER 5 Offense Defense Special Teams OCTOBER 12 Offense Defense Special Teams OCTOBER 19 Offense Defense Special Teams OCTOBER 26 Offense Defense Special Teams NOVEMBER 2 Offense Defense Special Teams NOVEMBER 9 Offense Defense Special Teams NOVEMBER 16 Offense Defense Special Teams NOVEMBER 23 Offense Defense Special Teams NOVEMBER 30 Offense Defense Special Teams QB, Nick Stevens, So., Colorado State LB, Calvin Munson, Jr., San Diego State PR, Andrew Rodriguez, Jr., Utah State FB, D.J. Johnson, Jr., Air Force DB, Weston Steelhammer, Jr., Air Force K, Wyatt Bryan, Fr., Colorado State RB, Jeremy McNichols, So., Boise State LB, Jerrol Garcia-Williams, Jr., Hawai i LB, Tanner Vallejo, Jr., Boise State RB, Tyler Ervin, Sr., San José State DB, Dameon Baber, Fr., Nevada KR, Rashaad Penny, So., San Diego State QB, Kent Myers, So., Utah State LB, Ryan McAleenan, Jr., UNLV P, Logan Yunker, Sr., UNLV RB, Donnel Pumphrey, Jr., San Diego State DB, Brodie Hicks, Jr., Air Force K, Austin Lopez, Sr., San José State QB, Cameron Coffman, Sr., Wyoming LB, Kyler Fackrell, Sr., Utah State KR, Carlos Wiggins, Sr., New Mexico QB, Karson Roberts, Sr., Air Force DE, Ian Seau, Sr., Nevada K, Brent Zuzo, Jr., Nevada RB, Donnel Pumphrey, Jr., San Diego State DB, Damontae Kazee, Jr., San Diego State K, Donny Hageman, Sr., San Diego State RB, James Butler, So., Nevada DB, Dameon Baber, Fr., Nevada K, Brent Zuzo, Jr., Nevada WR, Thomas Sperbeck, Jr., Boise State LB, Ryan Langford, Sr., New Mexico P/K, Zack Rogers, Sr., New Mexico QB, Karson Roberts, Sr., Air Force LB, Kyler Fackrell, Sr., Utah State K, Luke Strebel, So., Air Force RB, Brian Hill, So., Wyoming DB, Malik Smith, Jr., San Diego State PR, Joe Hansley, Sr., Colorado State RAY GUY FINALISTS Colorado State s Hayden Hunt and San José State s Michael Carrizosa were finalists for the Ray Guy Award, an honor given annually to the nation s top punter. Hunt, who is the fourth Ram to ever be named a finalist for a major college football award, has landed 21 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line and boomed 12 kicks more than 50 yards. His 46.3 average ranks fourth nationally, but as a team the Rams net punting average is second among all FBS teams. Carrizosa averages 47.7 per kick. He has pinned 16 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line and 22 of his kicks have traveled at least 50 yards. The Spartans net punting average ranks third nationally (41.78). Utah s Tom Hackett won the Ray Guy Award for the second consecutive year. THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 4

5 MW FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK 1,000-YARD RUSHERS The Mountain West has eight 1,000-yard rushers in 2015, which is the most by a single conference in the FBS. Included in this list is Wyoming sophomore Brian Hill, San José State senior Tyler Ervin, San Diego State junior Donnel Pumphrey, Boise State sophomore Jeremy McNichols, Nevada sophomore James Butler and senior Don Jackson, Hawai i senior Paul Harris and Air Force junior Jacobi Owens. Below is a look at 1,000-yard rushers per conference... 1,000-YD RUSHERS CONFERENCE 8 MW 7 SEC & Sun Belt 6 Big 12 & Pac-12 4 ACC, American, Big Ten, C-USA 3 MAC 1 Independent Wyoming s Hill ranks eighth nationally with 1,631 rushing yards, while San Diego State s Pumphrey and San José State s Ervin have rushed for 1,554 and 1,469, respectively. Below is a look at the 1,000-yard rushers in the Mountain West... Player (School) GP Att Yds Avg TD Yds/G Brian Hill (WYO) Donnel Pumphrey (SDSU) Tyler Ervin (SJSU) Jeremy McNichols (BSU) James Butler (NEV) , Paul Harris (HAW) , Don Jackson (NEV) , Jacobi Owens (AFA) , Nevada is one of two institutions nationally with two 1,000-yard rushers, joining Southern Miss. 3,000 PASSING/1,000 RECEIVING YARDS The Boise State duo of QB Brett Rypien and WR Thomas Sperbeck are on the verge of registering 3,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards receiving, respectively. Rypien has passed for 2,973 yards and Sperbeck has hauled in 1,334 receiving yards. Overall, They look to become the 16th duo in MW history to boast a 3,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard receiver in the same season. 3,000-YARD PASSER/1,000-YARD RECEIVER DUOS IN A SINGLE SEASON Year Team Players Yards Total 2014 Colorado State Garrett Grayson, QB 4,006 5,756 Rashard Higgins, WR 1, Fresno State Derek Carr, QB 3,948 5,161 Davante Adams, WR 1, San José State David Fales, QB 3,642 4,852 Chandler Jones, WR 1, Fresno State Derek Carr, QB 4,104 5,416 Davante Adams, WR 1, San Diego State Ryan Lindley, QB 3,830 5,182 Vincent Brown, WR 1, San Diego State Ryan Lindley, QB 3,830 5,050 DeMarco Sampson, WR 1, BYU Max Hall, QB 3,957 5,495 Austin Collie, WR 1, BYU Max Hall, QB 3,957 5,040 Dennis Pitta, WR 1, New Mexico Donovan Porterie, QB 3,006 4,131 Marcus Smith, WR 1, New Mexico Donovan Porterie, QB 3,006 4,037 Travis Brown, WR 1, Colorado State Justin Holland, QB 3,185 4,406 David Anderson, WR 1, San Diego State Adam Hall, QB 3,253 5,038 J.R. Tolver, WR 1, San Diego State Adam Hall, QB 3,253 4,805 Kassim Osgood, WR 1, BYU Brandon Doman, QB 3,542 4,753 Reno Mahe, WR 1, BYU Kevin Feterik, QB 3,554 4,621 Margin Hooks, WR 1,067 3,000 PASSING/1,000 RECEIVING/1,000 RUSHING YARDS Boise State is on the verge of producing the Mountain West s 12th trio with a 3,000- yard passer (Brett Rypien) a 1,000-yard receiver (Thomas Sperbeck) and a 1,000-yard rusher (Jeremy McNichols). 3,000-YARD PASSER/1,000-YARD RECEIVER/1,000-YARD RUSHER TRIOS IN A SINGLE SEASON Year Team Players Yards Total 2014 Colorado State Garrett Grayson, QB 4,006 7,031 Rashard Higgins, WR 1,750 Dee Hart, RB 1, San Diego State Quinn Kaehler, QB 3,007 5,387 Ezell Ruffin, WR 1,136 Adam Muema, RB 1, Fresno State Derek Carr, QB 4,104 6,906 Davante Adams, WR 1,312 Robbie Rouse, RB 1, San Diego State Ryan Lindley, QB 3,830 6,714 Vincent Brown, WR 1,352 Ronnie Hillman, RB 1, San Diego State Ryan Lindley, QB 3,830 6,402 DeMarco Sampson, WR 1,220 Ronnie Hillman, RB 1, BYU Max Hall, QB 3,957 6,627 Austin Collie, WR 1,538 Harvey Unga, RB 1, BYU Max Hall, QB 3,957 6,172 Dennis Pitta, TE 1,083 Harvey Unga, RB 1, New Mexico Donovan Porterie, QB 3,006 5,308 Marcus Smith, WR 1,125 Rodney Ferguson, RB 1, New Mexico Donovan Porterie, QB 3,006 5,214 Travis Brown, WR 1,031 Rodney Ferguson, RB 1, Colorado State Justin Holland, QB 3,185 5,694 David Anderson, WR 1,221 Kyle Bell, RB 1, BYU Brandon Doman, QB 3,542 6,335 Reno Mahe, WR 1,211 Luke Staley, RB 1,582 FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACHES IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST The Mountain West has welcomed 24 new head coaches over the last 17 seasons. Former BYU head coach Gary Crowton and current Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin have posted the most wins and highest win percentage among the group with 12 victories and an.857 win percentage in their inaugural years in 2001 and 2014, respectively. Harsin became the first to conclude his inaugural season by winning the Mountain West Championship Game, the first of two outright MW Championships in program history. Harsin is the only alumnus to lead the Broncos as head coach in the history of Boise State. Harsin is one of three first-year coaches to win at least 10 games in their inaugural season, joining Crowton (12 wins, 2001) and Urban Meyer (10 wins, 2003). Year Name, Team Record Pct. Bowl Game 2014 Bryan Harsin, Boise State Fiesta 2001 Gary Crowton, BYU Liberty 2003 Urban Meyer, Utah Liberty 2012 Tim DeRuyter, Fresno State Hawai i 2007 Troy Calhoun, Air Force Armed Forces 2013 Matt Wells, Utah State Poinsettia 2015 Mike Bobo, Colorado State Arizona 2005 Kyle Whittingham, Utah Emerald 2009 Dave Christensen, Wyoming New Mexico 2008 Steve Fairchild, Colorado State New Mexico 2005 Bronco Mendenhall, BYU Las Vegas 2013 Ron Caragher, San José State Craig Bohl, Wyoming Brian Polian, Nevada Jim McElwain, Colorado State Brady Hoke, San Diego State Joe Glenn, Wyoming Tom Craft, San Diego State John Robinson, UNLV Tony Sanchez, UNLV Norm Chow, Hawai i Chuck Long, San Diego State Mike Sanford, UNLV Bobby Hauck, UNLV Vic Koenning, Wyoming Michael Locksley, New Mexico THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 5

6 MW FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK MOUNTAIN WEST STATISTICAL LEADERS (NCAA RANKINGS IN PARENTHESES -- TOP 50) RUSHING YARDS PER GAME Yds/ Name, Team G Att Yards Avg TD Game HILL, Brian, WY (8) ERVIN, Tyler, SJ (12) PUMPHREY, Donnel, SD (15) MCNICHOLS, Jeremy, BSU (19) BUTLER, James, NV (38) HARRIS, Paul, HA (42) PASSING YARDS Name, Team G Att Comp Int Pct Yards TD RYPIEN, Brett, BSU (16) COFFMAN, Cameron, WY (49) STEVENS, Nick, CS PASS EFFICIENCY Name, Team G Att Comp Int Pct Yards PE COFFMAN, Cameron, WY (32) POTTER, Kenny, SJ (33) STEVENS, Nick, CS (39) SMITH, Maxwell, SD (47) DECKER, Blake, LV (49) TOTAL OFFENSE Yds/ Name, Team G Rush Pass Plays Total Game RYPIEN, Brett, BSU (22) POTTER, Kenny, SJ DECKER, Blake, LV RECEPTIONS PER GAME Rec/ Name, Team G Rec Yards TD Game SPERBECK, Thomas, BSU (T14) HIGGINS, Rashard, CS (T30) SHARP, Hunter, US (T30) WILLIAMS-RHODES, S., BSU (T41) RICHARDSON, Jeric, NV (T48) RECEIVING YARDS PER GAME Yds/ Name, Team G Rec Yards TD Game SPERBECK, Thomas, BSU (5) HIGGINS, Rashard, CS (26) BOYD, Devonte, LV (44) SHARP, Hunter, US (47) TACKLES PER GAME Name, Team G Pos Solo Ast Total Avg Sacks VIGIL, Nick, US (T5) 12 LB WINGARD, Andrew, WY (12) 12 DB TAGO, Christian, SJ (T16) 12 LB GARCIA-WILLIAMS, J., HA (39) 10 LB WACHA, Lucas, WY (42) 11 LB GENER, Julian, HA (T46) 11 LB #HIGHLIGHTS (NOTES FROM AROUND THE MOUNTAIN WEST IN 140 CHARACTERS OR LESS) bowl eligible teams sets a league record..@afafootball will end the season with a 12-game home win streak, which is 4th-longest active streak nationally..@wyo_football RB Brian Hill ranks 8th nationally with 1,631 rushing yds and now holds the Wyoming single-season rushing record..@sjsuspartanfb s Tyler Ervin has rushed for 1,469 yards, which ranks 11th nationally. He is just the Spartans 11th 1,000-yard rusher..@goaztecs Donnel Pumphrey ranks 9th among FBS rushers with 1,554 yds, making the MW the only FBS league w/ 3 players in top 11..@BroncoSportsFB RB Jeremy McNichols is the only BSU player with multiple rushes of 80 yards in his career..@fresnostatefb LB Ejiro Ederaine finishes his career with 45.5 TFLs, the 2ndmost history..@csufootball scored 3 TDs on special teams returns (2 punt, 1 kickoff) to become the 1st FBS team to accomplish this feat in last 10 yrs..@csufootball are 2 of 6 FBS teams to have three players rush for at least 140 yards in a single game this season..@csufootball PR Joe Hansley returned 2 punts for TDs becoming first Ram to do so since 1999 (Dallas Davis)..@HawaiiFootball RB Paul Harris (1,132) is the first Rainbow Warrior to rush for 1,000 yds since 2010 (Alex Green)..@BroncoSportsFB is third nationally with 22 INTs in are T5th with 20 picks..@broncosportsfb s Darian Thompson has 19 career INTs, record..@broncosportsfb Thompson (19) & Donte Deayon (17) are T-1st & T-3rd nationally in active career INTs. The starting BSU secondary leads the nation with 40 career INTs..@CSUFootball s Rashard Higgins has caught at least one pass in 37 consecutive games, a streak which is T-9th in FBS & the most in the MW..@BroncoSportsFB QB Brett Rypien threw for freshman record 503 yards vs. New Mexico on Nov. 14..@SJSUSpartanFB has been ranked in the top-5 nationally for pass defense each week since 9/20/14. In its last 24 has only allowed passing yards per game..@sjsuspartanfb s Ervin is the 10th MW player to rush for at least 200 yards twice in a season. He rushed for 300 yds vs. FS & 263 vs. UNM..@wyo_football s Hill tied record with four 200-yard rushing performances in The 300 rushing yards are the most in the FBS this season. Ervin has 15 total TDs, 4 shy of record held by Johnny Johnson, Jr., who scored 19 times in linebacker Cory James has 24 career sacks, only 4.5 away from tying the MW record, which was set in James 24 career sacks ranks fifth-most by an active FBS defender..@goaztecs haven t thrown an interception in 11 games Boise State boasts the highest win percentage since 2000, having won 174 of 206 contests for a mark of.845. THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 6

7 MW FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK BOISE STATE IS WINNINGEST TEAM IN FBS SINCE 2002 Boise State has amassed 156 wins since the start of the 2002 season, making the Broncos the winningest team at the FBS level during that time. Below is a breakdown of the top five leaders nationally: MOST WINS SINCE 2002 Rk. Team Wins 1. Boise State Oklahoma USC LSU TCU 135 BEST HOME RECORD SINCE 2003 Rk. Team W-L Pct. 1. Boise State Ohio State Oklahoma LSU USC TCU BEST ROAD/NEUTRAL WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE 2003 Rk. Team W-L Pct. 1. USC Boise State TCU Texas LSU OVERTIME GAMES Below is a look at MW records in overtime since it was established in the FBS in 1996: Team 2015 Total Last Overtime Game Air Force Nov. 15, 2014 (Def. Nevada, 45-38) ^Boise State Nov. 23, 2013 (Lost at San Diego State, 31-34) Colorado State Sept. 19, 2015 (Lost to Colorado, 24-27) *Fresno State Oct. 10, 2014 (Lost at UNLV, 27-30) *Hawai i Nov. 23, 2013 (Lost to Wyoming, 56-59) *Nevada Nov. 14, 2015 (Def. San José State, 37-34) New Mexico Sept. 7, 2013 (Def. UTEP, 42-35) San Diego State Sept. 19, 2015 (Lost to South Alabama, 27-34) +San José State Nov. 14, 2015 (Lost at Nevada, 34-37) UNLV Oct. 10, 2015 (Lost to San José State, 27-33) +Utah State Sept. 20, 2014 (Lost at Arkansas State, 14-21) Wyoming Oct. 18, 2014 (Lost to San José State, 20-27) AHEAD OF THE CLASS MW Record Overall Record Team W-L Pct. W-L Pct. Bowls ^Boise State Utah State *Fresno State Air Force *Nevada San Diego State Colorado State San José State New Mexico Wyoming UNLV *Hawai i CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITHOUT BEING SHUT OUT Rk. Team Games Last Time Shut Out 1. Air Force 284 Dec. 31, 1992 (Mississippi, 0-13) 2. Boise State 237 Sept. 27, 1997 (Washington State, 0-58) 3. San Diego State 116 Nov. 18, 2006 (TCU, 0-52) 4. Utah State 104 Nov. 10, 2007 (Boise State, 0-52) 5. Nevada 89 Sept. 5, 2009 (Notre Dame, 0-35) 6. Fresno State 68 Nov. 19, 2010 (Boise State, 0-51) 7. Wyoming 67 Oct. 9, 2010 (TCU, 0-45) 8. UNLV 58 Oct. 8, 2011 (Nevada, 0-37) 9. New Mexico 47 Sept. 8, 2012 (Texas, 0-45) 10. Colorado State 27 Nov. 23, 2013 (Utah State, 0-13) 11. San José State 14 Nov. 15, 2014 (Hawai i, 0-13) 12. Hawai i 8 Oct. 3, 2015 (Boise State, 0-55) TEAM SHUTOUTS (SINCE MW INCEPTION IN 1999) Rk. Team Games Last Time 1. ^Boise State 13 Oct. 3, 2015 (Hawai i, 55-0) 2. Air Force 6 Oct. 29, 2011 (New Mexico, 42-0) New Mexico 6 Sept. 6, 2015 (Miss Valley State, 66-0) 4. *Fresno State 4 Sept. 5, 2009 (UC Davis, 51-0) San Diego State 4 Sept. 4, 2010 (Nicholls State, 47-0) 6. *Hawai i 3 Nov. 15, 2014 (San José State, 13-0) *Nevada 3 Oct. 8, 2011 (UNLV, 37-0) +San José State 3 Aug. 29, 2013 (Sacramento State, 24-0) Wyoming 3 Nov. 20, 2010 (Colorado State, 44-0) 10. UNLV 2 Sept. 22, 2007 (Utah, 27-0) +Utah State 2 Nov. 23, 2013 (Colorado State, 13-0) 12. Colorado State 0 Oct. 4, 1997 (Hawai i, 63-0) NCAA CONSECUTIVE SCORING STREAK RECORDS Rk. Team Streak Dates By Team 1. Michigan /27/1984-9/6/2014 Notre Dame 2. BYU 361 9/27/ /15/2003 Utah 3. Florida /05/ present 4. TCU /23/ present 5. Air Force 284 8/04/ present 6. Texas /29/ /02/2004 Oklahoma 7. Washington State /22/ /18/2008 USC 8. Washington /14/ /16/2004 USC 9. Oregon /05/ /15/2007 UCLA 10. Tennessee UCLA /02/ /17/1992 Arizona State 12. Colorado /19/ /25/2008 Missouri 13. Boise State 237 9/27/ present 14. Nebraska 233 1/01/ /29/1991 Miami (Fla.) 15. Florida State 232 9/10/ /11/2006 Wake Forest ^Boise State became a member of the MW in July *Fresno State and Nevada became members of the MW in July 2012, while Hawai i joined as a football-only member. +San José State and Utah State became members of the MW in July THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 7

8 2015 MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL INDIVIDUAL POSTSEASON HONORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Donnel Pumphrey, Jr., RB, San Diego State DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Damontae Kazee, Jr., DB, San Diego State SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR Rashaad Penny, So., KR, San Diego State FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR Brett Rypien, Fr., QB, Boise State COACH OF THE YEAR Rocky Long, San Diego State 2015 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM 2015 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM OFFENSE Pos. Player Cl. School QB Brett Rypien Fr. Boise State WR Thomas Sperbeck Jr. Boise State WR Rashard Higgins* Jr. Colorado State RB Donnel Pumphrey* Jr. San Diego State RB Tyler Ervin Sr. San José State TE Billy Freeman Jr. San José State OL Sevrin Remmo Sr. Air Force OL Marcus Henry Sr. Boise State OL Rees Odhiambo Sr. Boise State OL Nico Siragusa Jr. San Diego State OL Pearce Slater Sr. San Diego State PK Tyler Rausa Jr. Boise State PR/KR Rashaad Penny So. San Diego State DEFENSE Pos. Player Cl. School DL Alex Hansen Sr. Air Force DL Kennedy Tulimasealii Jr. Hawai i DL Ian Seau Sr. Nevada DL Alex Barrett Jr. San Diego State LB Calvin Munson Jr. San Diego State LB Kyler Fackrell Sr. Utah State LB Nick Vigil* Jr. Utah State DB Roland Ladipo Jr. Air Force DB Weston Steelhammer* Jr. Air Force DB Darian Thompson* Sr. Boise State DB Damontae Kazee Jr. San Diego State P Michael Carrizosa So. San José State OFFENSE Pos. Player Cl. School QB Nick Stevens So. Colorado State WR Devonte Boyd* So. UNLV WR Hunter Sharp Sr. Utah State RB Jeremy McNichols So. Boise State RB Brian Hill So. Wyoming TE Jake Roh So. Boise State OL A.J. Ruechel Sr. Air Force OL Fred Zerblis Jr. Colorado State OL Alex Fifita Sr. Fresno State OL Wes Schweitzer Sr. San José State OL Chase Roullier Jr. Wyoming PK Brent Zuzo Jr. Nevada PR/KR Carlos Wiggins Sr. New Mexico DEFENSE Pos. Player Cl. School DL Kamalei Correa Jr. Boise State DL Cory James Sr. Colorado State DL Lenny Jones Sr. Nevada DL Eddie Yarbrough** Sr. Wyoming LB Ejiro Ederaine* Sr. Fresno State LB Jake Fely* Sr. San Diego State LB Christian Tago Jr. San José State DB Donte Deayon** Sr. Boise State DB Dameon Baber Fr. Nevada DB J.J. Whittaker* Sr. San Diego State DB Andrew Wingard Fr. Wyoming P Hayden Hunt Jr. Colorado State *--Two-Time First-Team Selection **--Three-Time First-Team Selection 2015 HONORABLE MENTION Air Force: Jacobi Owens, Jr., RB; Jalen Robinette, Jr., WR. Boise State: Tyler Horn, Sr., DL; Tanner Vallejo, Jr., LB; Mario Yakoo, Jr., OL. Colorado State: Sam Carlson, Sr., OL; Kivon Cartwright, Sr., TE; Kevin Davis, Jr., LB; Trent Matthews, Sr., DB. Fresno State: Claudell Louis, Sr., DL. Hawai i: Dejon Allen, So., OL; Ben Clarke, Sr., OL; Julian Gener, Sr., LB; Nick Nelson, So., DB; Rigoberto Sanchez, Jr., P. Nevada: James Butler, So., RB; Austin Corbett, So., OL; Jarred Gipson, Jr., TE. New Mexico: Dakota Cox, Jr., LB; Nik D Avanzo, Jr., DL; Eden Mahina, Sr., OL. San Diego State: Daniel Brunskill, Jr., TE; Donny Hageman, Sr., PK; Christian Heyward, Sr., DL; Jon Sanchez, Sr., DL; Malik Smith, So., DB. San José State: Jeremiah Kolone, So., OL; Maurice McKnight, So., DB; Kenny Potter, Jr., QB; Jimmy Pruitt, Sr., DB; Nate Velichko, So., OL; Cleveland Wallace, Jr., DB. UNLV: Will Kreitler, Jr., OL; Tau Lotulelei, Jr., LB. Utah State: Austin Albrecht, Jr., OL; Jalen Davis, So., DB; David Moala, Sr., DL; Tyshon Mosley, So., OL; Kent Myers, So., QB; Jordan Nielsen, Sr., DL; Andrew Rodriguez, Jr., KR/PR; Jake Simonich, So., OL; Austin Stephens, So., OL. Wyoming: None THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 8

9 HEADER 2015 NATIONAL AWARDS WATCH LIST CANDIDATES (AS OF DEC. 14) AIR FORCE BILETNIKOFF AWARD (top wide receiver) Jalen Robinette, Jr., Wide Receiver JIM THORPE AWARD (top defensive back) Weston Steelhammer, Jr., Defensive Back LOTT IMPACT TROPHY (integrity, maturity, performance, academic, community, tenacity) Weston Steelhammer, Jr., Defensive Back ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD (top down lineman) Alex Hansen, Sr., Defensive Line BOISE STATE ATHLON PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS Fourth Team Darian Thompson, Sr., Defensive Back BEDNARIK AWARD (defensive player of the year) Kamalei Correa, Jr., Defensive Line Darian Thompson, Sr., Defensive Back BILETNIKOFF AWARD (top wide receiver) Thomas Sperbeck, Jr., Wide Receiver BRONCO NAGURSKI TROPHY (outstanding defensive player) Kamalei Correa, Jr., Defensive Line Darian Thompson, Sr., Defensive Back EARL CAMPBELL TYLER ROSE AWARD Shane Williams-Rhodes, Sr., Wide Receiver JIM THORPE AWARD (top defensive back) Donte Deayon, Sr., Defensive Back Darian Thompson, Sr., Defensive Back JIM THORPE AWARD SEMIFINALIST (top defensive back) Darian Thompson, Sr., Defensive Back LOU GROZA AWARD SEMIFINALIST (top kicker) Tyler Rausa, Jr., Kicker OUTLAND TROPHY (top interior lineman) Marcus Henry, Sr., Offensive Line Rees Odhiambo, Sr., Offensive Line PAUL HORNUNG AWARD (most versatile player) Shane Williams-Rhodes, Sr., Wide Receiver/Kick Return RIMINGTON TROPHY (top center) Marcus Henry, Sr., Offensive Line ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD (top down lineman) Kamalei Correa, Jr., Defensive Line Marcus Henry, Sr., Offensive Line Rees Odhiambo, Sr., Offensive Line Tanner Vallejo, Jr., Linebacker TED HENDRICKS AWARD MIDSEASON WATCHLIST (on field/community) Kamalei Correa, Jr., Defensive Line WALTER CAMP AWARD (player of the year) Darian Thompson, Sr., Defensive Back COLORADO STATE ATHLON PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS Third Team Rashard Higgins, Jr., Wide Receiver BILETNIKOFF AWARD (top wide receiver) Rashard Higgins, Jr., Wide Receiver BUTKUS AWARD (top linebacker) Cory James, Sr., Linebacker CBS SPORTS 2015 PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS Rashard Higgins, Jr., WR, Wide Receiver EARL CAMPBELL TYLER ROSE AWARD Rashard Higgins, Jr., WR, Wide Receiver ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM Trent Matthews, Sr., Defensive Back JIM THORPE AWARD (top defensive back) Trent Matthews, Sr., Defensive Back JOHN MACKEY AWARD (top tight end) Kivon Cartwright, Sr., Tight End Steven Walker, Sr., Tight End MAXWELL AWARD (player of the year) Rashard Higgins, Jr., WR, Wide Receiver PHIL STEELE PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS First Team Rashard Higgins, Jr., Wide Receiver RAY GUY AWARD FINALST (top punter) Hayden Hunt, Jr., Punter SPORTING NEWS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS First Team Rashard Higgins, Jr., Wide Receiver WALTER CAMP AWARD (player of the year) Rashard Higgins, Jr., Wide Receiver FRESNO STATE DOAK WALKER AWARD (top running back) Marteze Waller, Sr., Running Back RAY GUY AWARD (top punter) Garrett Swanson, Sr., Punter RIMINGTON TROPHY (top center) Bo Bonnheim, Sr., Offensive Line ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD (top down lineman) Alex Fifita, Sr., Offensive Line HAWAI I BILETNIKOFF AWARD (top wide receiver) Marcus Kemp, Jr., Wide Receiver RAY GUY AWARD (top punter) Rigoberto Sanchez, Jr., Punter ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD (top down lineman) Ben Clarke, Sr., Offensive Line NEVADA DOAK WALKER AWARD (top running back) Don Jackson, Sr., Running Back JOHN MACKEY AWARD (top tight end) Jarred Gipson, Jr., Tight End OUTLAND TROPHY (top interior lineman) Austin Corbett, So., Offensive Line RAY GUY AWARD (top punter) Alex Boy, Jr., Punter ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD (top down lineman) Ian Seau, Sr., Defensive End NEW MEXICO WUERFFEL TROPHY (community service) Garrett Adcock, Jr., Offensive Line SAN DIEGO STATE DOAK WALKER AWARD (top running back) Donnel Pumphrey, So., Running Back JIM THORPE AWARD (top defensive back) Damontae Kazee, So., Defensive Back J.J. Whittaker, Sr., Defensive Back LOTT IMPACT TROPHY (integrity, maturity, performance, academic, community, tenacity) Calvin Munson, Jr., Linebacker LOU GROZA AWARD (top placekicker) Donny Hageman, Sr., Kicker MAXWELL AWARD (player of the year) Donnel Pumphrey, So., Running Back PHIL STEELE PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS Fourth Team Jeff Overbaugh, Jr., Long Snapper RAY GUY AWARD (top punter) Tanner Blain, Jr., Punter ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD (top down lineman) Alex Barrett, Jr., Defensive Line Darrell Greene, Sr., Offensive Line Pearce Slater, Sr., Offensive Line SAN JOSÉ STATE JOHN MACKEY AWARD SEMIFINALIST (top tight end) Billy Freeman, Jr., Tight End PAUL HORNUNG AWARD (most versatile player) Tyler Ervin, Sr., Running Back/Kick Return RAY GUY AWARD FINALIST (top punter) Michael Carrizosa, So., Punter ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD (top down lineman) Christian Tago, Jr., Linebacker UTAH STATE BEDNARIK AWARD (defensive player of the year) Kyler Fackrell, Sr., Linebacker Nick Vigil, Jr., Linebacker BILETNIKOFF AWARD (top wide receiver) Hunter Sharp, Sr., Wide Receiver BUTKUS AWARD SEMIFINALIST (top linebacker) Kyler Fackrell, Sr., Linebacker BRONCO NAGURSKI TROPHY (outstanding defensive player) Kyler Fackrell, Sr., Linebacker DAVEY O BRIEN AWARD (top quarterback) Chuckie Keeton, Sr., Quarterback DOAK WALKER AWARD (top running back) LaJuan Hunt, So., Running Back EARL CAMPBELL TYLER ROSE AWARD Chuckie Keeton, Sr., Quarterback JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD (top quarterback) Chuckie Keeton, Sr., Quarterback MAXWELL AWARD (player of the year) Chuckie Keeton, Sr., Quarterback RIMINGTON TROPHY (top center) Austin Stephens, Jr., Offensive Line ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD (top down lineman) Kyler Fackrell, Sr., Linebacker Nick Vigil, Jr., Linebacker UNLV BILETNIKOFF AWARD (top wide receiver) Devonte Boyd, So., Wide Receiver JOHN MACKEY AWARD (top tight end) Jake Phillips, Sr., Tight End RAY GUY AWARD (top punter) Logan Yunker, Sr., Punter WYOMING BILETNIKOFF AWARD (top wide receiver) Tanner Gentry, Jr., Wide Receiver DOAK WALKER SEMIFINALIST (top running back) Brian Hill, So., Running Back RAY GUY AWARD (top punter) Ethan Wood, Jr., Punter ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD (top down lineman) Eddie Yarbrough, Sr., Defensive End TED HENDRICKS AWARD MIDSEASON WATCHLIST (on field/community) Eddie Yarbrough, Sr., Defensive End THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 9

10 2015 USA TODAY/COACHES POLL (DEC. 6) Rk Team Rec Pts. Pvs 1 Clemson (55) Alabama (5) Oklahoma Michigan State Ohio State Stanford Iowa Florida State Notre Dame TCU North Carolina Northwestern Oklahoma State Oregon Ole Miss Houston Michigan Florida Baylor Utah LSU Navy Wisconsin Temple Georgia ASSOCIATED PRESS POLL (DEC. 6) Rk Team Rec Pts. Pvs 1 Clemson (51) Alabama (9) Michigan State (1) Oklahoma Stanford Iowa Ohio State Notre Dame Florida State North Carolina TCU Northwestern Oklahoma State Houston Oregon Ole Miss Michigan Baylor Florida Utah Navy LSU Wisconsin Temple Western Kentucky CFP SELECTION COMMITTEE RANKINGS (DEC. 6) Rk Team Rec Pvs 1 Clemson Alabama Michigan State Oklahoma Iowa Stanford Ohio State Notre Dame Florida State North Carolina TCU Ole Miss Northwestern Michigan Oregon Oklahoma State Baylor Houston Florida LSU Navy Utah Tennessee Temple USC MW teams receiving votes: San Diego State 26 MW teams receiving votes: San Diego State 22 MOUNTAIN WEST IN THE USATODAY/COACHES POLL AFA BOISE USU SDSU Preseason RV 23 RV NR Sept. 8 NR 22 NR NR Sept. 13 NR RV NR NR Sept. 20 NR RV NR NR Sept. 27 NR RV NR NR Oct. 4 NR 24 NR NR Oct. 11 NR 20 NR NR Oct. 18 NR RV RV NR Oct. 25 NR RV NR NR Nov. 1 NR RV NR NR Nov. 8 NR RV NR NR Nov. 15 NR NR NR NR Nov. 22 RV NR NR RV Nov. 29 NR NR NR RV Dec. 6 NR NR NR RV MOUNTAIN WEST IN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS POLL AFA BOISE USU SDSU Preseason NR 24 NR NR Sept. 8 NR 20 NR NR Sept. 13 NR RV NR NR Sept. 20 NR RV NR NR Sept. 27 NR RV NR NR Oct. 4 NR 25 NR NR Oct. 11 NR 21 NR NR Oct. 18 NR RV RV NR Oct. 25 NR NR NR NR Nov. 1 NR RV NR NR Nov. 8 NR RV NR NR Nov. 15 RV NR NR NR Nov. 22 RV NR NR NR Nov. 29 NR NR NR RV Dec. 6 NR NR NR RV MOUNTAIN WEST IN THE CFP SELECTION COMMITTEE RANKINGS None... THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 10

11 ANNUAL NON-CONFERENCE RECORDS (Includes Bowl Games) Year W L Pct. Bowls TOTALS COMPOSITE NON-CONFERENCE RECORDS (Includes Bowl Games) Team W L Pct. Air Force ^Boise State Colorado State *Fresno State *Hawai i *Nevada New Mexico San Diego State San José State UNLV Utah State Wyoming TOTALS NON-CONFERENCE RECORDS (Includes Bowl Games) Team Top 25 FBS Overall Air Force ^Boise State Colorado State *Fresno State *Hawai i *Nevada New Mexico San Diego State San José State UNLV Utah State Wyoming TOTALS ^Boise State became a member of the MW in July *Fresno State, Hawai i and Nevada became members of the MW in July San José State and Utah State became members of the MW in July MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL NON-CONFERENCE RECORDS 2015 All-Time Conference W-L Pct. W-L Pct. ACC Virginia (Boise State - W, 56-14) American (formerly the Big East) Navy (Air Force - L, 11-33) Tulsa (New Mexico - L, 21-41) Big Ten Michigan (UNLV - L, 7-28) Michigan State (Air Force - L, 21-35) Minnesota (Colorado State - L, 20-23) Ohio State (Hawai i - L, 0-38) Penn State (San Diego State - L, 21-37) Wisconsin (Hawai i - L, 0-28) Big Big West (No longer a FBS Conference) Conference USA UTSA (Colorado State - W, 33-31) Independents Army (Air Force - W, 20-3) BYU (Boise State - L, 24-35, San José State - L, 16-17, Fresno State - L, 10-52, Utah State - L, 28-51) New Mexico State (New Mexico - W, 38-29) Mid-American Buffalo (Nevada - W, 24-21) Eastern Michigan (Wyoming - L, 29-48) Northern Illinois (UNLV - L, 30-38) Pac Arizona (Nevada - L, 20-44) Arizona State (New Mexico - L, 10-34) California (San Diego State - L, 7-35) Colorado (Hawai i - W, and Colorado State - L, 24-27) Oregon State (San José State - L, 21-35) UCLA (UNLV - L, 3-37) Utah (Utah State - L, and Fresno State - L, 24-45) Washington (Boise State - W, and Utah State - L, 17-31) Washington State (Wyoming - L, 14-31) SEC Auburn (San José State - L, 21-35) Ole Miss (Fresno State - L, 21-73) Texas A&M (Nevada - L, 27-44) Sun Belt Appalachian State (Wyoming - L, 13-31) New Mexico State (New Mexico - W, 38-29) South Alabama (San Diego State - L, 27-34) ULM (Hawai i - W, 28-26) WAC (No longer a FBS Conference) Division I FCS Abilene Christian (Fresno State - W, 34-13) Idaho State (Boise State - W, 52-0 and UNLV - W, 80-8) Mississippi Valley State (New Mexico - W, 66-0) Morgan State (Air Force - W, 63-7) New Hampshire (San José State - W, 43-13) North Dakota (Wyoming - L, 13-24) UC Davis (Nevada - W, and Hawai i - W, 47-27) San Diego (San Diego State - W, 37-3) Savannah State (Colorado State - W, 65-13) Southern Utah (Utah State - W, 12-9) Total Records are based on conference alignments during season in which games were played. THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 11

12 GILDAN NEW MEXICO BOWL PREVIEW: ARIZONA VS. NEW MEXICO 2015 STATISTICS ARIZONA WILDCATS 6-6 Overall 3-6 Pac-12 CATEGORY PAC-12 ARIZ FBS Rush Offense 2nd th Pass Offense 6th nd Total Offense 3rd th Scoring Offense 3rd th THE GAME Saturday, December 19 University Stadium (39,224) Albuquerque, New Mexico Noon p.m. MT ESPN Eamon McAnaney (PBP), Rocky Boiman (analyst), Laura Rutledge (sideline) THE SERIES Arizona leads, Last meeting: 2008, New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico THE STORY New Mexico is participating in a postseason bowl for the first time since 2007, while Arizona is playing in its fourth consecutive bowl game, a program record. When the two teams meet in Albuquerque, the Wildcats hold a advantage. NEW MEXICO LOBOS 7-5 Overall 5-3 Mountain West 2015 STATISTICS CATEGORY MW UNM FBS Rush Offense 2nd th Pass Offense 11th st Total Offense 7th th Scoring Offense 6th nd Rush Defense 8th th Pass Eff. Def 11th th Total Defense 10th th Punting 2nd nd Punt Returns 1st th Kickoff Returns 5th rd Turnover Margin 12th th Pass Defense 10th th Pass Efficiency 8th rd TALE OF THE TAPE ARIZONA CATEGORY NEW MEXICO Lost 1 Current Streak Won 1 56 Touchdowns Scored Rushing Touchdowns Passing Touchdowns 5 55 Touchdowns Allowed Rushing TDs Allowed Passing TDs Allowed 21 L, at Arizona State Last Week W, vs. Air Force Rush Defense 6th th Pass Eff. Def 9th st Total Defense 9th th Punting 4th st Punt Returns 10th th Kickoff Returns 6th th Turnover Margin 4th rd Pass Defense 11th th Pass Efficiency 10th th ARIZONA HEAD COACH RICH RODRIGUEZ (4th year) at Arizona (22nd year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Anu Solomon (10 GP, , 62.7 pct., 2,338 yds., 18 TDs) Rusher: Nick Wilson (9 GP, 133 att., 725 yds., 5.5 avg./rush, 8 TDs) Receiver: Cayleb Jones (12 GP, 51 rec., 722 yds., 14.2 avg./rec., 4 TD) Tackler: Will Parks (12 GP, 72 Tkls, 6.5 TFL, 7 PBUs, 2 FFs) NEW MEXICO HEAD COACH BOB DAVIE (4th year) at New Mexico (9th year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Lamar Jordan (11 GP, , 53.2 pct., 935 yds., 4 TDs) Rusher: Teriyon Gipson (11 GP, 132 att., 766 yds., 5.8 avg./rush, 6 TDs) Receiver: Dameon Gamblin (12 GP, 33 rec., 333 yds., 13.3 avg./rec., 2 TDs) Tackler: Dakota Cox (12 GP, 89 tackles, 11.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks, 1 INT) WHAT TO WATCH FOR New Mexico has won two straight contest over Arizona. The Lobos earned a road win in Tucson on Sept. 15, 2007 and defeated the Wildcats at home on Sept. 13, 2008 (36-28). This is New Mexico s third appearance in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl and Arizona s second. The Dec. 19 meeting will be the second time Arizona and New Mexico have met in a bowl game. On Dec. 27, 1997, these two teams met in the Insight. com Bowl, played in Tempe, Arizona. The Wildcats were victorious, defeating the Lobos Arizona s leading tackler Will Parks and New Mexico s third-leading receiver Delane Hart-Johnson are brothers. Parks has recorded 72 tackles this season, while Hart-Johnson has caught 10 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown. The Lobos are 4-0 this season when rushing for 300 yards and 3-5 when rushing for fewer than 300 yards. The Lobos have only won three times when rushing for fewer than 200 yards under head coach Bob Davie, all three occurrences happening this season (vs. Hawai i, vs. Utah State and at Boise State). New Mexico ranks fourth nationally in red zone defense (.682). Opponents have faced 44 red zone opportunities, but the Lobo defense has only allowed 18 touchdowns and 12 field goals. The Lobos have converted on 15-of-19 fourth down attempts this season. The 78.9 conversion percentage ranks fifth nationally and first in the Mountain West. The Lobos defense has tallied 29 sacks on the season, which ranks 34th-best nationally. The 29 sacks are the most by a UNM defense since the 2006 season (29). The last time New Mexico logged 30 or more sacks in a single season was in 2005 (36). Senior return man Carlos Wiggins ranks ninth nationally with a 28.8 kick return average. In his career, Wiggins has racked up 3,476 all-purpose yardages. He has 2,291 return yards, 560 receiving yards and 496 rushing yards, which is good for ninth in program history. Arizona and New Mexico are both tied for 21st nationally with three defensive touchdowns. The Wildcats have returned two interceptions for a score and one fumble, while the Lobos have scooped two fumbles for TDs and have one pick-six. The Wildcats average 36.8 points per game, which is the most by an Arizona squad since the 2012 season (38.2). THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 12

13 AUTONATION CURE BOWL PREVIEW: SAN JOSÉ STATE VS. GEORGIA STATE 2015 STATISTICS SAN JOSÉ STATE SPARTANS 5-7 Overall 4-4 Mountain West CATEGORY MW SJSU FBS THE GAME Saturday, December 19 Orlando Citrus Bowl (60,219) Orlando, Florida 7 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network Carter Blackburn (PBP), Aaron Taylor (analyst), Jenny Dell (sideline) THE SERIES First Meeting GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS 6-6 Overall 5-3 Sun Belt 2015 STATISTICS CATEGORY SUN BELT GSU FBS Rush Offense 8th th Pass Offense 2nd th Total Offense 4th th Scoring Offense 8th st THE STORY The Autonation Cure Bowl is San José State s first bowl appearance since the 2012 Military Bowl, where the Spartans defeated Bowling Green (29-20). Overall, SJSU has a three-game bowl win streak, which also includes victories against Central Michigan in 1990 Raisin Bowl and New Mexico in 2006 New Mexico Bowl. Rush Offense 10th rd Pass Offense 1st th Total Offense 2nd th Scoring Offense 7th rd Rush Defense 8th th Pass Eff. Def 3rd th Total Defense 5th th Punting 2nd rd Punt Returns 12th th Kickoff Returns 5th rd Turnover Margin 9th th Pass Defense 1st nd Pass Efficiency 2nd th TALE OF THE TAPE SAN JOSÉ STATE CATEGORY GEORGIA STATE Lost 1 Current Streak Won 4 45 Touchdowns Scored Rushing Touchdowns Passing Touchdowns Touchdowns Allowed Rushing TDs Allowed Passing TDs Allowed 18 L, vs. Boise State Last Game W, 34-7 at Georgia Southern Rush Defense 4th th Pass Eff. Def 3rd rd Total Defense 5th th Punting 6th th Punt Returns 8th st Kickoff Returns 4th th Turnover Margin 6th rd Pass Defense 7th rd Pass Efficiency 2nd th SAN JOSÉ STATE HEAD COACH RON CARAGHER (3rd year) at San José State (9th year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Kenny Potter (10 GP, , 68.5 pct., 1,895 yds., 14 TDs) Rusher: Tyler Ervin (12 GP, 264 att., 1,469 yds., 5.6 avg./rush, 13 TDs) Receiver: Billy Freeman (12 GP, 47 rec., 581 yds., 12.4 avg./rec., 6 TDs) Tackler: Christian Tago (12 GP, 117 Tkls, 9.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 PBU) GEORGIA STATE HEAD COACH TRENT LONG 7-29 (3rd year) at Georgia State (8th year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Nick Arbuckle (12 GP, , 64.1 pct., 4,160 yds., 26 TDs) Rusher: Glenn Smith (12 GP, 83 att., 334 yds., 4.0 avg./rush, 1 TD) Receiver: Penny Hart (12 GP, 70 rec., 1,085 yds., 15.5 avg./rec., 8 TDs) Tackler: Joseph Peterson (11 GP, 106 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 PBU) WHAT TO WATCH FOR San José State has 23 rushing touchdowns this year, eclipsing the team s total of 11 in 2014 and 12 in The last time the Spartans scored 20 or more rushing touchdowns in a season was in 2004 when they had 22. Spartans RB Tyler Ervin ranks 11th nationally with 1,469 rushing yards. Deoncé Whitaker (2000) holds the program record for rushing yards in a single season with 1,577. Ervin needs to rush for 109 rushing yards in the Spartans final game to set the program record. On the year, Ervin has scored 15 total touchdowns, including 13 on the ground, which is tied for the most by a Spartan since at least 2001 (Chandler Jones - 15 TDs in 2013). The program single-season touchdown record is held by Johnny Johnson, Jr., who scored 19 times in When it comes to all-purpose yardage, Ervin ranks second nationally, averaging yards per contest. On the season, he has rushed for 1,469 yards, hauled in 337 receiving yards, and has 604 return yards. In his career, Ervin has 5,919 all-purpose yards, which leads all active FBS players. He owns the program record for career all-purpose yards. The Spartans rank second nationally in fewest passing yards allowed per game (153.6). Over the last 24 games, SJSU is allowing just passing yards per contest. It has been ranked in the top 5 nationally in this category every week since Sept. 20, The Spartans passing attack ranks sixth nationally in pass completion percentage (68.3). Starting QB Kenny Potter has completed 172-of-251 passes (68.5%). SJSU punter Michael Carrizosa was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, which was ultimately won by Utah s Tom Hackett. Carrizosa, who earned secondteam Walter Camp All-America honors, finished the regular season with a 47.7 punting average. Georgia State enters the game with the eighth-best passing offense nationally, averaging yards per contest. Panthers QB Nick Arbuckle has completed 293-of-457 passes for 4,160 yards and 26 touchdowns. Arbuckle s passing yardage ranks sixth nationally and his 26 TD passes are tied for 18th. The Panthers have thrown for more than 300 yards in seven consecutive games, while the Spartans defense hasn t allowed a 300-yard passer since Nov. 29, 2013 (Derek Carr - 519). Georgia State ended its regular season with four straight wins to earn its first bowl berth in just its sixth year of football and third at the FBS level. THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 13

14 FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL PREVIEW: AKRON VS. UTAH STATE 2015 STATISTICS AKRON ZIPS 7-5 Overall 5-3 MAC CATEGORY MAC AKRON FBS THE GAME Tuesday, December 22 Albertsons Stadium (36,387) Boise, Idaho 1:30 p.m. MT ESPN Mark Neely (PBP), Mike Bellotti (analyst), Kevin Weidl (sideline) THE SERIES First meeting UTAH STATE AGGIES 6-6 Overall 5-3 Mountain West 2015 STATISTICS CATEGORY MW USU FBS Rush Offense 6th th Pass Offense 12th th Total Offense 11th th Scoring Offense 2nd th THE STORY Utah State is participating in a postseason bowl for a program-best fifth straight season. A victory over Akron in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl would given the Aggies at least seven wins in five straight seasons. Akron is 0-1 in bowl games at the FBS level (2005 Motor City Bowl vs. Memphis). Rush Offense 10th th Pass Offense 5th th Total Offense 9th nd Scoring Offense 5th th Rush Defense 1st rd Pass Eff. Def 7th th Total Defense 2nd th Punting 7th th Punt Returns 10th rd Kickoff Returns 13th th Turnover Margin 2nd th Pass Defense 9th th Pass Efficiency 9th th TALE OF THE TAPE AKRON CATEGORY UTAH STATE Won 4 Current Streak Lost 2 36 Touchdowns Scored Rushing Touchdowns Passing Touchdowns Touchdowns Allowed Rushing TDs Allowed Passing TDs Allowed 15 W, 20-0 vs. Kent State Last Game L, vs. BYU Rush Defense 4th st Pass Eff. Def 7th th Total Defense 2nd nd Punting 6th rd Punt Returns 5th th Kickoff Returns 2nd th Turnover Margin 6th th Pass Defense 3rd th Pass Efficiency 7th th AKRON HEAD COACH TERRY BOWDEN (4th year) at Akron (22nd year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Thomas Woodson (12 GP, , 53.2 pct., 2,034 yds., 16 TDs) Rusher: Conor Hundley (12 GP, 188 att., 883 yds., 4.7 avg./rush, 10 TDs) Receiver: Imani Davis (12 GP, 46 rec., 593 yds., 12.9 avg./rec., 3 TDs) Tackler: Jatavis Brown (12 GP, 108 Tkls, 17.5 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 PBU) UTAH STATE HEAD COACH MATT WELLS (3rd year) at Utah State (3rd year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Kent Myers (8 GP, , 59.8 pct., 1,470 yds., 14 TDs) Rusher: Devante Mays (12 GP, 153 att., 842 yds., 5.5 avg./rush, 9 TDs) Receiver: Hunter Sharp (10 GP, 60 rec., 746 yds., 12.4 avg./rec., 8 TDs) Tackler: Nick Vigil (12 GP, 140 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 2 PBUs, 2 FF) WHAT TO WATCH FOR Utah State is riding a three-game bowl win streak, which is a school record. The Aggies have defeated UTEP in the 2014 Gildan New Mexico Bowl (21-6), No. 24 Northern Illinois (21-14) in the 2013 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl and Toledo (41-15) in the 2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Overall, the Aggies are 4-6 in bowl games, and have a 9-2 advantage all-time over teams from the Mid-American Conference. Akron enters the Dec. 22nd contest on a four-game win streak. The last defeat suffered by the Zips was on Oct. 31 vs. Central Michigan (14-6). When it produces a 100-yard rusher, Utah State has won 20 consecutive games. Senior QB Chuckie Keeton set the Utah State record for career touchdown passes with 61. The previous record was held by Jose Fuentes, who played from Utah State LB Nick Vigil has tallied seven double-digit tackle efforts this year. Vigil is tied for fifth nationally averaging 11.7 stops per game. Vigil enters the game with 140 total tackles, just two shy of the Mountain West top 5. New Mexico s Carmen Messina (2011) is in fifth-place with 142 total stops. Utah State has recovered 12 fumbles this season, which is tied for 10th nationally. Navy and Virginia Tech leads the FBS with 15 fumble recoveries. The Aggie defense is only allowing passing yards per contest, which ranks 14th nationally and third in the Mountain West. On the other side of the ball, Akron is only throwing for yards per game. Akron s defensive unit is limiting opponents to only 89.8 yards per contest, which ranks third-best in the FBS. Utah State averages yards per game on the ground. The Zips haven t allowed a 100-yard rusher since Oct. 10, 2015 against Eastern Michigan (Darius Jackson - 112). Utah State is tied for sixth nationally with four blocked kicks on the season, a figure that also leads the Mountain West. The Aggies have blocked two punts and two field goals. Senior defensive lineman David Moala has blocked two kicks this season, tied for seventh-best nationally. Utah State senior linebacker Kyler Fackrell, who ranks second on the team with 76 tackles, has recovered five fumbles, which leads the nation. The five fumble recoveries is tied for a Mountain West single-season record. Air force s Marchello Graddy (2003), UNLV s John Andrews (2003), San Diego State s Kirk Morrison (2002) and BYU s Hans Olsen (2000) all hold the record. THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 14

15 SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION POINSETTIA BOWL PREVIEW: BOISE STATE VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS 2015 STATISTICS BOISE STATE BRONCOS 8-4 Overall 5-3 Mountain West CATEGORY MW BSU FBS THE GAME Wednesday, December 23 Qualcomm Stadium (66,000) San Diego, California 1:30 p.m. PT ESPN Beth Mowins (PBP), David Diaz-Infante (analyst), Shelley Smith (sideline) THE SERIES First meeting NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES 8-5 Overall 6-2 MAC 2015 STATISTICS CATEGORY MAC NIU FBS Rush Offense 7th nd Pass Offense 1st th Total Offense 1st th Scoring Offense 1st th Rush Defense 2nd th Pass Eff. Def 2nd th Total Defense 4th th Punting 8th th Punt Returns 9th th Kickoff Returns 10th st Turnover Margin 2nd th Pass Defense 10th th Pass Efficiency 5th th THE STORY Boise State will make its 14th-consecutive bowl appearance, which is tied for fifth-longest streak nationally. Florida State, Georgia, LSU and Virginia Tech have appeared in 15 straight. The Poinsettia Bowl features two institutions that rank first (Boise State) and second (Northern Illinois) in wins since 2010 among the Group of Five. The Broncos have won 65 games, while the Huskies have won 63. TALE OF THE TAPE BOISE STATE CATEGORY NORTHERN ILLINOIS Won 1 Current Streak Lost 1 55 Touchdowns Scored Rushing Touchdowns Passing Touchdowns Touchdowns Allowed Rushing TDs Allowed Passing TDs Allowed 22 W, at San José State Last Week L, vs. Bowling Green Rush Offense 2nd th Pass Offense 9th th Total Offense 4th th Scoring Offense 4th nd Rush Defense 7th th Pass Eff. Def 1st th Total Defense 6th th Punting 13th th Punt Returns 7th th Kickoff Returns 2nd th Turnover Margin 5th st Pass Defense 7th th Pass Efficiency 4th th BOISE STATE HEAD COACH BRYAN HARSIN 20-6 (2nd year) at Boise State (3rd year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Brett Rypien (10 GP, , 62.5 pct., 2,973 yds., 17 TDs) Rusher: Jeremy McNichols (11 GP, 221 att., 1,244 yds., 5.6 avg./rush, 18 TDs) Receiver: Thomas Sperbeck (12 GP, 82 rec., 1,334 yds., 16.3 avg./rec., 8 TDs) Tackler: Ben Weaver (12 GP, 66 Tkls, 4.0 TFL, 3 INTs, 1 FF) NOTHERN ILLINOIS HEAD COACH ROD CAREY (3rd year) at Northern Illinois (3rd year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Drew Hare (9 GP, , 63.8 pct., 1,962 yds., 14 TDs) Rusher: Joel Bouagnon (13 GP, 275 att., 1,269 yds., 4.6 avg./rush, 18 TDs) Receiver: Kenny Golladay (13 GP, 71 rec., 1,122 yds., 15.8 avg./rec., 10 TDs) Tackler: Boomer Mays (13 GP, 108 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBUs, 1 FF) WHAT TO WATCH FOR On his way to Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors, Boise State QB Brett Rypien set the MW record for most passing yards in a single season by a freshman. In only 10 games, Rypien threw for 2,973 yards and 17 touchdowns. Colorado State s Pete Thomas previously held the record, throwing for 2,662 yards in Rypien averages passing yards per contest, which is the most by a Mountain West QB and the second-most by a freshman QB nationally. Boise State WR Thomas Sperbeck has caught 82 passes for 1,334 yards and eight touchdowns. He holds the program record for single-season receiving yardage, surpassing Titus Young s 1,215 in Sperbeck is six receptions away from typing the school record for single-season catches, which was set by Matt Miller in 2013 (88). Nationally, Sperbeck ranks sixth in receiving yardage (1,334) and fifth in receiving yards per game (111.2). On Nov. 14 at New Mexico, Sperbeck hauled in 20 receptions for 281 yards. No FBS player has caught more than 20 balls in a single game since Oct. 13, 2012 when Louisiana Tech s Quinton Patton caught 21 passes vs. Texas A&M. The 281 receiving yards are the most since Oct. 19, 2013 when Michigan s Jeremy Gallon had 369 yards and Texas A&M s Mike Evans had 287 yards. Boise State s Jeremy McNichols is one of eight running backs nationally with at least 18 rushing touchdowns this season. Overall, McNichols is averaging 12.5 points per game to rank second in the FBS for scoring. McNichols has scored a touchdown in 11 consecutive games, which is a Mountain West record. Overall, he has 23 TDs which is tied for the most in the FBS this season with Alabama s Derrick Henry. Additionally, McNichols has rushed for more than 100 yards in seven consecutive games, which is second-most in the Mountain West history, trailing San Diego State s Donnel Pumphrey (8). On Nov. 27 vs. San José State, McNichols scored an 88-yard touchdown, which was the longest rush from scrimmage in program history. The Broncos rank third nationally with 22 interceptions on the season. This figure leads the Mountain West, and is four behind Arkansas State s 26, which leads the nation. Northern Illinois ranks fourth with 21 interceptions. Overall, Boise State has 28 takeaways, which ranks seventh nationally and Northern Illinois has 27 takeways to rank ninth. Boise State junior kicker Tyler Rausa ranks second among FBS kickers connecting on 1.92 field goals per game. Rausa also ranks 10th nationally, scoring 10.1 points per contest. Northern Illinois RB Joel Bouagnon is tied for fifth nationally, and with Boise State s McNichols, with 18 rushing touchdowns. Bouagnon is averaging 97.6 rushing yards per contest. THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 15

16 HAWAI I BOWL PREVIEW: SAN DIEGO STATE VS. CINCINNATI 2015 STATISTICS SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS 10-3 Overall 8-0 Mountain West CATEGORY MW SDSU FBS Rush Offense 3rd th Pass Offense 118th th Total Offense 6th th Scoring Offense 3rd st THE GAME Thursday, December 24 Aloha Stadium (50,000) Honolulu, Hawaii 3 p.m. HT ESPN Adam Amin (PBP), Greg McElroy (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline) THE SERIES Cincinnati leads 1-0 Last meeting: 2007, Cincinnati in San Diego, California THE STORY San Diego State will be playing in its 10th bowl at the FBS level and its sixth consecutive postseason game. Cincinnati will be appearing in its 17th bowl game and a school-record fifth in a row. The Bearcats have only faced three teams from California (SDSU, Fresno State and Pacific) and have a 7-4 record in those games. CINCINNATI BEARCATS 7-5 Overall 4-4 American 2015 STATISTICS CATEGORY AAC CINCY FBS Rush Offense 4th th Pass Offense 1st th Total Offense 1st th Scoring Offense 4th th Rush Defense 1st th Pass Eff. Def 1st th Total Defense 1st th Punting 9th st Punt Returns 4th nd Kickoff Returns 1st th Turnover Margin 1st st Pass Defense 2nd th Pass Efficiency 3rd rd TALE OF THE TAPE SAN DIEGO STATE CATEGORY CINCINNATI Won 9 Current Streak Won 1 51 Touchdowns Scored Rushing Touchdowns Passing Touchdowns Touchdowns Allowed Rushing TDs Allowed Passing TDs Allowed 22 W, vs. Air Force Last Game W, at East Carolina Rush Defense 9th rd Pass Eff. Def 6th nd Total Defense 9th th Punting 3rd th Punt Returns 4th st Kickoff Returns 9th th Turnover Margin 11th th Pass Defense 4th th Pass Efficiency 6th st SAN DIEGO STATE HEAD COACH ROCKY LONG (5th year) at San Diego State (16th year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Christian Chapman (8 GP, , 55.3 pct., 323 yds., 1 TD) Rusher: Donnel Pumphrey (13 GP, 284 att., 1,554 yds., 5.5 avg./rush, 16 TDs) Receiver: Donnel Pumphrey (13 GP, 27 rec., 397 yds., 14.7 avg./rec., 3 TDs) Tackler: Calvin Munson (13 GP, 92 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 9.0 sacks, 2 INTs, 2 FF) CINCINNATI HEAD COACH TOMMY TUBERVILLE (3rd year) at Cincinnati (20th year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Gunner Kiel (10 GP, , 65.2 pct., 2,777 yds., 19 TDs) Rusher: Hosey Williams (12 GP, 129 att., 725 yds., 5.6 avg./rush, 4 TDs) Receiver: Shaq Washington (12 GP, 88 rec., 971 yds., 11.0 avg./rec., 6 TDs) Tackler: Eric Wilson (12 GP, 103 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 FF) WHAT TO WATCH FOR San Diego State, which is coming off a victory in the Mountain West Championship, is riding a nine-game win streak, its longest since a 10-game stretch during the seasons. This winning stretch is third-best nationally. The Aztecs have their first 10-win season since They are one-win shy of tying the program record of 11 wins (1967 and 69). The SDSU defense has held nine consecutive opponents to fewer than 400 yards of total offense. The last time an opponent eclipsed the 400-yard mark vs. the Aztecs was on Sept. 26 at Penn State (400). The Aztecs have won 22 straight games when rushing for at least 200 yards and are 30-2 in the Rocky Long era when reaching 200-plus yards. SDSU has rushed for more than 200 yards in nine straight contests. San Diego State RB Donnel Pumphrey has rushed for 1,554 rushing yards, which ranks ninth nationally, and his 16 rushing touchdowns are tied for 14th among FBS rushers. Additionally, Pumphrey leads all active rushers with 4,415 yards. Pumphrey is one of three players in the FBS with at least 1,000 rushing yards and 375 receiving yards. SDSU defense has the best turnover margin in the nation, recording 31 takeaways and only losing the ball 12 times (+19). As a team, the Aztecs haven t thrown an interception in 11 games (187 attempts), which is the program s longest streak in its Division I history. In his first career start in the Mountain West Championship game, redshirt freshman Christian Chapman was 9-of-14 for 203 yards. Chapman also rushed for 32 yards on his way to being named Offensive MVP. Senior DB J.J. Whittaker will make his 40th consecutive start on Dec. 24, which leads all Aztecs. Cincinnati has converted on 94-of-182 third-down attempts. This 51.6 percentage ranks second nationally. On the season, the Bearcats have racked up 355 first downs, a total that ranks second nationally, trailing only Bowling Green (374). The Bearcats have the nation s fourth-leading passing attack, averaging yard through the air per game. SDSU ranks 13th nationally, limiting opponents to passing yards per contest. Cincinnati WR Shaq Washington ranks ninth among FBS pass-catchers, averaging 7.3 receptions per game. THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 16

17 LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL PREVIEW: CALIFORNIA VS. AIR FORCE 2015 STATISTICS CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS 7-5 Overall 4-5 PAC-12 CATEGORY P12 CAL FBS Rush Offense 10th th Pass Offense 2nd th Total Offense 2nd th Scoring Offense 4th st THE GAME Tuesday, December 29 Amon G. Carter Stadium (45,000) Fort Worth, Texas 1 p.m. CT ESPN Dave Flemming (PBP), Mike Bellotti (analyst), Allison Williams (sideline) THE SERIES California leads 6-2 Last meeting: 2007, California in Fort Worth, Texas (Armed Forces Bowl) THE STORY Air Force is playing in its eighth bowl game in nine seasons under head coach Troy Calhoun, and its 25th overall as a program. California is playing in its 22nd bowl game, and currently have a record in postseason contests. The Falcons have a 3-4 record under Calhoun in bowls and overall. AIR FORCE FALCONS 8-5 Overall 6-2 Mountain West 2015 STATISTICS CATEGORY MW AFA FBS Rush Offense 1st nd Pass Offense 12th nd Total Offense 2nd nd Scoring Offense 2nd th Rush Defense 11th nd Pass Eff. Def 7th nd Total Defense 9th th Punting 6th st Punt Returns 12th th Kickoff Returns 11th nd Turnover Margin 5th nd Pass Defense 6th th Pass Efficiency 4th th TALE OF THE TAPE CALIFORNIA CATEGORY AIR FORCE Won 1 Current Streak Lost 2 56 Touchdowns Scored Rushing Touchdowns Passing Touchdowns Touchdowns Allowed Rushing TDs Allowed Passing TDs Allowed 17 W, vs. Arizona State Last Game L, at San Diego State Rush Defense 3rd rd Pass Eff. Def 4th st Total Defense 3rd rd Punting 12th th Punt Returns 6th th Kickoff Returns 12th th Turnover Margin 7th th Pass Defense 5th rd Pass Efficiency 1st th CALIFORNIA HEAD COACH SONNY DYKES (3rd year) at California (6th year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Jared Goff (12 GP, , 64.1 pct., 4,252 yds., 37 TDs) Rusher: Khalfani Muhammad (11 GP, 78 att., 539 yds., 6.9 avg./rush, 1 TD) Receiver: Kenny Lawler (12 GP, 47 rec., 583 yds., 12.4 avg./rec., 10 TDs) Tackler: Hardy Nickerson (12 GP, 101 Tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack) AIR FORCE HEAD COACH TROY CALHOUN (9th year) at Air Force (9th year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Karson Roberts (13 GP, , 52.2 pct., 1,446 yds., 9 TDs) Rusher: Jacobi Owens (13 GP, 187 att., 1,013 yds., 5.4 avg./rush, 6 TDs) Receiver: Garrett Brown (13 GP, 26 rec., 534 yds., 20.5 avg./rec., 1 TD) Tackler: Weston Steelhammer (13 GP, 80 Tkls, 10.5 TFL, 1.0 sack, 5 INTs, 7 PBUs) WHAT TO WATCH FOR Air Force and California met in the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl, when Cal rallied from a 21-0 deficit to win Air Force ranks second among all FBS teams in rushing offense, averaging yards per game. This is on pace to be the most rushing yards per contest in the Troy Calhoun era. California is allowing rushing yards, which ranks 102nd in FBS. The Falcons have ran 919 total offensive plays, 764 of which have been runs (.831). Senior QB Karson Roberts has thrown for more than 100 yards in six of his last eight games. On Nov. 28 at New Mexico, Roberts threw for 167 yards and a career-best three touchdowns. AFA RB Timothy McVey started for the first time in his career at New Mexico (Nov. 28) and accounted for five touchdowns and 262 total yards on 17 touches (105 yards rushing on 12 carries and career-high of 157 yards receiving on five catches.). He is the first Falcon to record over 100 yards both receiving and rushing in a single game in program history. After a three touchdown performance in the Mountain West Championship game, McVey has eight TDs in the last two games. Air Force defensive lineman Alex Hansen ranks seventh nationally with two blocked kicks. This leads the Mountain West. The Falcons have scored in a school-record 289 games, the third-longest active streak in the nation. The last time AFA was shutout was in the 1992 Liberty Bowl vs. Ole Miss (13-0). Cal enters the Armed Forces Bowl averaging passing yards per contest, which ranks fifth nationally and second in the Pac-12. QB Jared Goff has completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 4,252 yards and 37 touchdowns. The total passing yards ranks fifth in the FBS and the 37 TDs are third-best nationally. As a team, the Golden Bears are putting up yards of total offense per game, which ranks eighth in the FBS. The Falcons are allowing yards, which ranks 23rd nationally. Air Force DB Roland Ladipo is tied for eighth nationally with 19 pass breakups this season. Ladipo is averaging 1.5 PBUs per game, which is 15th-best in the FBS. THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 17

18 NOVA HOME LOANS ARIZONA BOWL PREVIEW: NEVADA VS. COLORADO STATE 2015 STATISTICS NEVADA WOLF PACK 6-6 Overall 4-4 Mountain West CATEGORY MW NEV FBS Rush Offense 4th th Pass Offense 111th th Total Offense 8th rd Scoring Offense 9th th THE GAME Tuesday, December 29 Arizona Stadium (56,029) Tucson, Arizona 5:30 p.m. MT American Sports Network/Campus Insiders Ron Thulin (PBP), Doug Chapman (analyst), Shae Peppler (sideline) THE SERIES Colorado State leads 11-2 Last meeting: 2014, Colorado State in Reno, Nevada THE STORY Colorado State and Nevada are both playing in their 15th bowl game. The Rams have a 6-8 record in postseason bowls, while the Wolf Pack are This is the first time since 1979 that two teams from the same conference have met in a bowl game. That year, Oklahoma and Nebraska met in the Orange Bowl. COLORADO STATE RAMS 7-5 Overall 5-3 Mountain West 2015 STATISTICS CATEGORY MW CSU FBS Rush Offense 5th th Pass Offense 3rd th Total Offense 3rd rd Scoring Offense 4th th Rush Defense 5th th Pass Eff. Def 8th rd Total Defense 7th th Punting 11th rd Punt Returns 1st th Kickoff Returns 7th st Turnover Margin 2nd th Pass Defense 7th nd Pass Efficiency 9th th TALE OF THE TAPE NEVADA CATEGORY COLORADO STATE Lost 2 Current Streak Won 4 39 Touchdowns Scored Rushing Touchdowns Passing Touchdowns Touchdowns Allowed Rushing TDs Allowed Passing TDs Allowed 12 W, at Fresno State Last Week L, at San Diego State Rush Defense 7th th Pass Eff. Def 5th st Total Defense 6th th Punting 1st nd Punt Returns 2nd st Kickoff Returns 3rd th Turnover Margin 10th th Pass Defense 4th th Pass Efficiency 4th th NEVADA HEAD COACH BRIAN POLIAN (3rd year) at Nevada (3rd year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Tyler Stewart (12 GP, , 57.5 pct., 2,065 yds., 15 TDs) Rusher: James Butler (12 GP, 183 att., 1,153 yds., 6.3 avg./rush, 8 TDs) Receiver: Jerico Richardson (12 GP, 64 rec., 708 yds., 11.1 avg./rec., 5 TDs) Tackler: Asauni Rufus (12 GP, 96 Tkls, 10.5 TFL, 1 INTs, 1 FF) COLORADO STATE HEAD COACH MIKE BOBO 7-5 (1st year) at Colorado State 7-5 (1st year) overall STATISTICAL LEADERS Passer: Nick Stevens (12 GP, , 62.0 pct., 2,369 yds., 21 TDs) Rusher: Dalyn Dawkins (11 GP, 156 att., 805 yds., 5.2 avg./rush, 2 TDs) Receiver: Rashard Higgins (11 GP, 66 rec., 933 yds., 14.1 avg./rec., 8 TDs) Tackler: Kevin Davis (12 GP, 95 tackles, 14.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 1 INT) WHAT TO WATCH FOR Nevada RB James Bulter and Don Jackson became the 18th and 19th Wolf Pack players to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, and the first since 2012 (Stephon Jefferson). On the year, Butler has 1,153 yards and eight touchdowns, while Jackson has rushed for 1,029 and eight TDs. Nevada is one of two FBS programs with two 1,000-yard rushers this season, joining Southern Miss. This is the third time in Wolf Pack history that two players have at least 1,000 rushing yards in the same season. The last time this was accomplished was The Wolf Pack are tied for 18th nationally with a turnover margin of +8. Nevada has recorded 20 takeaways and only given the ball away 12 times. With six total interceptions on the season, Dameon Baber is tied for fifth nationally. Baber is second in the Mountain West, behind San Diego State s Damontae Kazee. The six interceptions are the most by a Nevada player in a single season since Joe Garcia also picked off six passes in Baber ranks second nationally with a 0.67 interception per game average. Colorado State WR Rashard Higgins has caught a pass in 37 consecutive games, every contest he has played in. It is also the longest active streak by a Mountain West player. Higgins, who ranks second among all active FBS receivers with 3,520 career receiving yards, has yard receiving games, which is tied for the most in Mountain West history with BYU s Austin Collie (17). Higgins ranks second in the Mountain West for career receiving TDs (31). Fresno State s Devante Adams holds the record with 38 TD grabs from Colorado State LB Cory James has recorded 24 career sacks, which is tied for the third-most in Mountain West history and fourth-best all-time at CSU. James 24 sacks are fourth-most among active FBS defenders. The Rams have scored in 40-of-48 quarters this season. As a team, CSU is second in the nation with a net yards per punt average. Rams punter Hayden Hunt, a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, ranks fourth nationally and second in the Mountain West with a 46.3 average. In the Rams last outing at Fresno State, PR Joe Hansley returned 2 punts for touchdowns, becoming first Ram to do so since 1999 (Dallas Davis). Hansley is the only player to score two TDs on punts in a single game this season. THEMW.COM MOUNTAINWEST #MWFB 2015 MW FOOTBALL BOWL NOTES: DEC. 14 PAGE 18