Brown and Blake tabbed as the MWC's best
7/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 23, 2007
HENDERSON, Nev. -- TCU tailback Aaron Brown and defensive end Tommy Blake have been named the Preseason Mountain West Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in a vote among the league's media.TCU topped all MWC members with seven selections on the preseason all-conference team. In addition to Blake, TCU's defense was represented by defensive end Chase Ortiz, linebacker Jason Phillips and safety Brian Bonner. Bonner also made the team as the return specialist.
Brown and offensive guard Matty Lindner were TCU's offensive selections.
Brown topped TCU with 801 yards rushing and nine touchdowns last season. The nine scores ranked first among the MWC's top-10 rushers, while his 5.2 per carry average was the best among the league's eight-leading ground gainers.
A junior from Katy, Texas, Brown placed second on the Frogs in receptions (34) and receiving yards (455). The 34 grabs were the most by a Horned Frog running back since 1996 (Basil Mitchell, 40). Brown was third in the MWC in all-purpose yards per game (116.8). He was the 2005 MWC Freshman of the Year and a second-team All-MWC pick last year.
Blake, a preseason Playboy and Athlon All-American, is on watch lists for the Rotary Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Ted Hendricks Award and Lott Trophy. Tabbed the State's Defensive Player of the Year by Dave Campbell's Texas Football, Blake has also been named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year by The Sporting News.
A senior from Aransas Pass, Texas, Blake was the 2006 Poinsettia Bowl Defensive Most Valuable Player when he recorded two sacks as part of three tackles for a loss in a 37-7 victory over Northern Illinois. He topped the MWC in tackles for a loss (16.5), 5.5 more than league runner-up Ortiz (11.0). Blake tied for the MWC lead with seven sacks.
Blake is a two-time, first-team All-MWC selection. He was a unanimous choice in 2006.
TCU was picked to win the MWC championship, receiving 18 of 23 first-place votes.
2007 Mountain West Conference Preseason Poll (first-place votes in parentheses and total points)
1. TCU (18) - 202
2. BYU (3) - 178
3. Utah (2) - 165
4. New Mexico - 120
5. Wyoming - 110
6. Colorado State - 107
7. Air Force - 62
8. San Diego State - 56
9. UNLV - 35
