July 21, 2009

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -

The Mountain West Conference announced its 2009 preseason all-conference team, as well as its preseason team rankings today from the league's Media Days in Las Vegas. Both the All-MWC team and the team rankings were selected by members of the media.

University of Wyoming senior defensive tackle John Fletcher was voted onto the preseason all-league squad and as a team the Cowboys were selected ninth.

"In regard to the preseason poll, we know that it comes down to proving ourselves on the field," said Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen. "What I know is I have been impressed by how hard our players have worked ever since our staff arrived in Laramie. They have done everything that has been asked of them during spring drills and during the summer conditioning program.

"I like our kids. I like their work ethic and their attitude. We have 20 seniors on this team who have provided great leadership throughout the spring and summer. We can't wait for practice to start on Aug. 6, and we look forward to taking the field in War Memorial Stadium on Sept. 5 against Weber State."

Fletcher has earned Second Team All-MWC honors each of the past two seasons, and was named to both the Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award Watch Lists during his junior season. He was voted one of four UW team captains entering his senior season. Fletcher ranks No. 10 on Wyoming's career sack list with 17.0 total sacks.

BYU senior quarterback Max Hall was named Preseason MWC Offensive Player of the Year, while TCU senior defensive end Jerry Hughes was selected Defensive Player of the Year, TCU junior kick returner Jeremy Kerley was chosen Special Teams Player of the Year and TCU running back Ed Wesley (TCU) was tabbed Freshman of the Year for the preseason.

The 2009 preseason team is loaded with experience, featuring 19 players that were all-Conference selections in 2008, including six first-team honorees. Twenty-one seniors, three juniors and two sophomores comprise the 26-member squad.

TCU was selected by MWC media as the favorite to win the league crown in 2009. The Horned Frogs garnered 15 first-place votes and had a total of 207 points. BYU was chosen second with 190 points and six first-place votes. Defending MWC champion Utah was picked third with 179 points and three first-place votes. Air Force was chosen fourth with 130 points, followed by UNLV (5th - 108 points), Colorado State (6th - 107 points), New Mexico (7th - 60 points), San Diego State (8th - 53 points) and Wyoming (9th - 46 points).