Mountain West Football: MWwire’s Players Of The Month For October

Our staff makes its picks for the Mountain West’s top performers in the second month of the 2022 season.

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A cut above the rest.

Special Teams Player of October

5. Stephen Kotsanlee, Utah State (24 points)

The Aggies punter had an outstanding month in averaging 48.4 yards per kick, the best overall average of any Mountain West specialist in October. That includes six punts which pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line.

3 (tie). John Hoyland, Wyoming (28 points)

Hoyland remained busy and reliable for the Cowboys in October, connecting on 7-of-8 field goals while remaining perfect on extra point tries in 2022. That lone miss was no gimme, either, coming from 55 yards against Utah State in Week 8, but he had successes from 43 and 51 yards out versus the Aggies and also nailed a 42-yarder against San Jose State in Week 5.

3 (tie). Nikko Remigio, Fresno State (28 points)

Remigio has started to step up more as a pass catcher in recent weeks, but the highlight of his October as a return specialist came against UConn in Week 5, when he blistered the Huskies for a “how did he do that” 87-yard punt return touchdown.

2. Jack Browning, San Diego State (41 points)

Browning continued to pull double duty for the Aztecs with aplomb, finishing October with an average of 46.9 yards per punt and 6-of-7 on field goal attempts. That included a game-winning kick in the final seconds against Hawaii in Week 6, and he also managed a 33-yard run on a fake punt attempt against Fresno State in Week 9.

1. Jonah Dalmas, Boise State (44 points)

Dalmas just edged his specialist peers in the Mountain West this month by making 8-of-9 field goal attempts, the most successes of any kicker in October. His biggest performance of the month came in the Broncos’ victory over Air Force in Week 8, when he made four field goals (including a 51-yarder) to help Boise State outlast the Falcons.

Defensive Player of October

5. A.J. Haulcy, New Mexico (24 points)

The safety from Missouri City, Texas continued his strong play from late September into the spooky season, finishing fourth among all Mountain West defenders with 36 total tackles while also picking up 2.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and a forced fumble just three October contests. That included a monster 24-tackle performance against Fresno State in Week 8, which helps to explain why, headed into November, Haulcy is Pro Football Focus’s top-graded true freshman, regardless of position.

4. Ayden Hector, Colorado State (31 points)

Hector didn’t make his first start for the Rams until Week 6 against Nevada, but he provided a spark for the defense throughout October. The Washington State transfer collected 21 total tackles, four pass breakups, and two interceptions (including a pick-six) in four games, potentially cementing himself as a cornerstone of the future at Fort Air Raid.

3. Jonah Tavai, San Diego State (32 points)

Tavai spent most of October terrifying quarterbacks like he did down the stretch last year. He had three quarterback hurries in the Aztecs’ win over Hawaii back in Week 6, then posted a combined 4.5 sacks against Nevada and San Diego State. They’ll need more of that to try and chase down another West division title down the stretch.

2. DeVonne Harris, Wyoming (36 points)

The young Cowboys defensive line has made strides as a unit throughout the 2022 campaign, but Harris stood out among his peers in October by racking up 18 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and five sacks. While Wyoming is still pursuing Boise State for the Mountain division crown, the Big Lake, Minnesota native should be a big factor in the last month.

1. Viliami Fehoko, San Jose State (42 points)

Fehoko dominated week in and week out through October, notching at least one sack in each of San Jose State’s four games and finishing with five altogether. He also led the Mountain West with nine tackles for loss and chipped in two forced fumbles, as well, one of just four players in the conference to do so last month.

Offensive Player of October

5. Zion Bowens, Hawaii (18 points)

It’s probably not a coincidence that Hawaii’s slow improvement on offense coincided with the return of the team’s top catcher after a four-game absence. Bowens caught 19 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns in October, one of only two wide receivers to score that many times last month.

4. Avery Morrow, Colorado State (26 points)

One of many former Nevada players to follow Jay Norvell to Fort Collins, Morrow played a part-time role in September before the Rams asked him to shoulder a hefty October workload. He answered the bell, though, averaging 20.5 carried per game throughout the month and stringing together three 100-yard rushing performances in a row against Nevada, Utah State, and Hawaii.

3. Elijah Cooks, San Jose State (32 points)

Cooks continued to shine in October and finished third in the Mountain West with 25 receptions last month. However, he led the conference with 431 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns, as well, helping to keep the Spartans within striking distance of the championship hunt.

2. Brad Roberts, Air Force (43 points)

Roberts couldn’t quite defend his player of the month crown from September, but it wasn’t for lack of trying, we can assure you of that. After all, the Falcons fullback took on 26.5 carries per game in October and led the Mountain West with 478 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

1. Chevan Cordeiro, San Jose State (46 points)

In a month where nearly every other Mountain West team had to deal with disarray under center, Cordeiro took a step forward from September to earn our nod as the Mountain West’s offensive player of the month. He posted a 61% completion rate and averaged 7.7 yards per attempt while throwing six touchdowns and only one interception in 154 throws.

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Story originally appeared on Mountain West Wire