HENDERSON, Nev. – Senior tackle Jake Nelson and sophomore running back Toa Taua were selected to the Mountain West's Preseason All-Conference team, announced this morning by the league at its annual media event at the Green Valley Ranch Resort in southern Nevada today.

Nevada, coming off a resounding 8-5 record in 2018, was picked third in the West Division by the media panel. Fresno State was picked to win the West, followed by San Diego State. Hawai`i was fourth, following by UNLV and San José State.

Taua was the Mountain West's Freshman of the Year in 2018 after bursting on the scene with 872 rushing yards last season. He's been named to the national watch lists for the Maxwell Award (national player of the year) and Doak Walker Award (top running back) for the upcoming season. 

Nelson, a senior, was an honorable mention All-Mountain West selection a year ago. He's started 25 games in his career and last year led the Wolf Pack to a ranking of 14th nationally in pass protection as the Union allowed just 1.17 sacks per game.

Boise State was a runaway selection to win the Mountain Division with Utah State as the only other Mountain team to receive first-place votes. The rest of the Mountain Division was: Air Force, Wyoming, Colorado State and New Mexico.

The preseason honorees and the media poll were announced Tuesday morning by the Mountain West as the league opens up its two-day media summit.

Third-year head coach Jay Norvell along with team representatives wide receiver Kaleb Fossum and linebacker Lucas Weber will take part in league social media initiatives and meet with members of the media today.

Season tickets for the 2019 season are available for as low as $99 and three-game mini-plan packages are also on sale now for as low as $42. Single-game tickets for all six home games are also available now with prices as low as $17 per game, with discounts available for children and seniors. Get your tickets today by calling (775) 348-PACK or visiting NevadaWolfPack.com.

The fan-friendly schedule includes four home games before mid-October and concludes with the rivalry game against the Rebels as Nevada will be seeking revenge and possession of the Fremont Cannon. So far, three of Nevada's home games are set for daytime kickoffs.

In 2018, the second year under head coach Jay Norvell, Nevada won eight games for the first time in its Mountain West history, and captured the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl in thrilling fashion with an overtime victory. Coming off a second place finish in the West Division of the Mountain West, the Pack's 2019 recruiting class has been ranked as high as second in the conference by national publications. Fall camp for the Pack opens on Aug. 1.

2019 Mountain West Preseason Poll
Mountain Division
Rank      Team (first-place votes)    Points
1.            Boise State (15)                  120
2.            Utah State (6)                     108
3.            Air Force                              73
4.            Wyoming                            66
5.            Colorado State                    52
6.            New Mexico                        22
 
West Division
Rank      Team (first-place votes)    Points
1.            Fresno State (17) 122
2.            San Diego State   (3)          106
3.            Nevada                                74
4.            Hawai'i (1)                           67
5.            UNLV                                   51
6.            San José State                     21

2019 Mountain West Preseason All-Conference Team
Offense
QB          Jordan Love**                    Jr.           Utah State
WR         John Hightower                  Sr.           Boise State
WR         Cedric Byrd II                       Sr.           Hawai'i
RB           Juwan Washington            Sr.           San Diego State
RB           Toa Taua                              So.          Nevada
OL           Ezra Cleveland*                  Jr.           Boise State
OL           John Molchon*                   Sr.           Boise State
OL           Jake Nelson                         Sr.           Nevada
OL           Keith Ismael*                      Jr.           San Diego State
OL           Justin Polu                           Sr.           UNLV
TE           Jared Rice**                        Sr.           Fresno State
 
Defense
DL           Jordan Jackson** Jr.           Air Force
DL           David Moa                           Sr.           Boise State
DL           Curtis Weaver*                   Jr.           Boise State
DL           Tipa Galeai**                      Sr.           Utah State
LB           Mykal Walker*                   Sr.           Fresno State
LB           Kyahva Tezino*                  Sr.           San Diego State
LB           David Woodward **           Jr.           Utah State
DB          Jeremy Fejedelem              Sr.           Air Force
DB          Juju Hughes**                    Sr.           Fresno State
DB          Tariq Thompson**             Jr.           San Diego State
DB          DJ Williams                         So.          Utah State
Specialists
P             Ryan Stonehouse*             Jr.           Colorado State
PK           Cooper Rothe*                   Sr.           Wyoming
KR/PR    Savon Scarver*                   Jr.           Utah State
Offensive Player of the Year: Jordan Love, Jr., QB, Utah State
Defensive Player of the Year: Curtis Weaver, Jr., DL, Boise State
Special Teams Player of the Year: Cooper Rothe, Sr., PK, Wyoming
* - member of the 2018 All-Mountain West first team
** - member of the 2018 All-Mountain West second team