July 22, 2004

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -

The Mountain West Conference announced it's 2004 preseason All-Conference team as selected by membersof the league's media.

Senior Cowboy defensive tackle Zach Morris was named on the defensive side of the ball. The Denver, Colo. (Mullen) product has started 20 of 28 career games, including the last 14 consecutive for Wyoming.

Morris has received two other very prestigious honors prior to the 2004 season. First, he was named to the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List. The Outland Trophy is voted on by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), and honors the top interior lineman in the country at the conclusion of each season. Morris was one of only 57 players nationally named to the preseason list -- along with fellow Wyoming senior center Trenton Franz. Morris' second preseason honor came when he was one of 60 individuals named to the Bronko Nagurski Preseason Watch List. The Nagurski Trophy honors the top defensive player in the nation, regardless of position.

Morris made a position move in the spring of 2004. He moved from noseguard to defensive tackle. Wyoming coaches believe his move to defensive tackle will allow him to use his quickness to make more plays.

In 2003 Morris recorded 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss and two forced fumbles at noseguard. Versus Boise State, Morris was credited with a total of seven tackles, two tackles for losses of 11 yards and one quarterback sack for 10. At Utah, Morris tallied eight tackles and one tackle for a loss. He is majoring in secondary education with an emphasis in social studies.

The 2004 preseason team features an all-time record of 20 players that were All-Conference in 2003, including 14 first-teamselections. The preseason team also features a five-year high of seven unanimous selections, including 2003 MWC Freshman of theYear Lynell Hamilton (San Diego State), New Mexico running back Dontrell Moore, Utah quarterback Alex Smith, New Mexicooffensive linemen Claude Terrell and Ryan Cook, BYU defensive lineman Brady Poppinga and UNLV defensive back JamaalBrimmer. This marked the third consecutive year Moore was a unanimous choice.

Preseason favorite Utah had the most honorees with six, followed by New Mexico with five. Colorado State and San Diego Stateeach placed four student-athletes on the team, while BYU had three, UNLV two and Wyoming one.