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Doak Walker winner Luke Staley was one of five former BYU players named to the MWC's 10th Anniversary Team. (BYU Photo / Mark Philbrick)
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LAS VEGAS (July 22, 2008) -- Five former Cougars were recognized on Tuesday after being named to the Mountain West Conference 10th Anniversary Football Team. The BYU athletes recognized were running back Luke Staley, tight end Jonny Harline, defensive lineman Brady Poppinga, linebacker Rob Morris and punter Matt Payne.
In 2001, Doak Walker Award winner and All-American Luke Staley led the nation in scoring (15.5 points per game), yards per carry (8.1 yards per carry) and finished the season ranked third in the nation in rushing, averaging 143.8 yards per game. He helped pace the Cougars to a 12-2 record on the season, scoring a BYU single-season record of 28 touchdowns. Staley also racked up a BYU single-season record 1,582 yards rushing on the season.
An All-American in 2006, Harline led all BYU receivers in receiving yards (935) and touchdowns (12). Known for his consistency, Harline was on the receiving end of one of the most memorable plays in recent BYU football history--the last-second, game-winning touchdown catch in the Cougars' 2006 victory against Utah.
Poppinga finished his BYU career with 193 tackles, 20 sacks and 39 tackles for a loss and garnered first-team All-MWC honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. After graduating in 2005, Poppinga went on to start for the Green Bay Packers.
An all-conference selection in 1999, Morris racked up 345 career tackles, which ranks eighth all-time at BYU. He was a first round draft pick in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Morris was also a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker.
Payne, an All-MWC First Team selection three times throughout his BYU career (2002-2004), was named AFCA and Sporting News First Team All-American and AP Second Team All-American as a punter in 2004. He led the nation with 51 punts for an average of 48.0 yards per punt while earning All-America honorable mention recognition in 2002.
Members of the anniversary team were selected by a combined panel of media, institutional and conference personnel and an on-line fan poll. In order to be eligible for consideration, candidates must have been a first team all-Mountain West selection at least once in their careers.
Anniversary teams will be chosen for each of the 19 conference-sponsored sports during the 2008-09 seasons in celebration of the Mountain West's 10th anniversary.
The MountainWest Sports Network - Mtn. will broadcast a series of special presentations highlighting the 10th anniversary of the Mountain West Conference. The football team announcement debuts at 11 a.m. PT Tuesday, with an encore presentation at 7 p.m. PT. The announcement of the volleyball, soccer, and men's and women's cross country 10th anniversary teams will follow at 7:30 p.m. PT. Interviews with coaches and several of the respective honorees will be part of each 30-minute show.
