Staff Report
The UNM football team was picked to finish second this year in the Mountain West Conference by media members on Tuesday.
Lobo running back DonTrell Moore was chosen as the preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Moore is a two-time All-MWC selection.
He finished second in the MWC in rushing last year with 1,091 yards in 11 games played, several of which he played only parts of because of injury.
If he rushes for 1,000 yards or more next season, he will be the sixth player in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 or more yards all four years.
The Utah Utes, coming off a 12-0 season in which they won the MWC title, return 11 starters from last year. The Utes were picked to finish first with 18 first-place votes and 246 points. The Lobos received six first-place votes and 215 points.
UNM finished the 2004 season with a 7-5 record and a third-straight bowl appearance. The Lobos return 17 starters.
Of those 17, five Lobos were selected to the preseason All-MWC team. Other than Moore, center Ryan Cook, defensive lineman Marcus Parker, linebacker Mike Mohoric and cornerback Gabriel Fulbright were chosen to the All-MWC team.
Utah's Steve Fifita was named the preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Wyoming came in third in the poll, collecting five first-place votes. It's the highest the Cowboys have ever been picked in the preseason poll.
Brigham Young came in fourth, receiving one first-place vote and 164 points.
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2005 All-Mountain West Conference Team
Offense
WR Todd Watkins* Sr. BYU
WR David Anderson** Sr. Colorado State
OL Jon Wilson** Sr Air Force
OL Jake Kuresa Jr. BYU
OL Michael Brisiel Sr. Colorado State
OL Ryan Cook* Sr. New Mexico
OL Jesse Boone** Sr. Utah
TE John Wadkowski** Sr. Wyoming
QB Corey Bramlet Sr. Wyoming
RB DonTrell Moore* Sr. New Mexico
RB Lynell Hamilton# So. San Diego State
Defense
DL Manaia Brown Sr. BYU
DL Steve Fifita* Sr. Utah
DL Marcus Parker* Sr. New Mexico
DL Ranorris Ray Sr. TCU
DL Dusty Hoffschneider** Sr. Wyoming
LB Spencer Toone Sr. Utah
LB Cameron Jensen Jr. BYU
LB Mike Mohoric Sr. New Mexico
DB Eric Weddle** Jr. Utah
DB Derrick Martin** Jr. Wyoming
DB Joe Miklos Sr. UNLV
Specialists
P Adam Brooks** Sr. Wyoming
PK Deric Yaussi* Sr. Wyoming
Ret. Hoost Marsh* So. Wyoming
Offensive Player of the Year: DonTrell Moore, Sr., New Mexico
Defensive Player of the Year: Steve Fifita, Sr., Utah
** MWC second-team selection last year
* MWC first-team selection last year
# Sat out 2004 season due to injury
