May 27, 2010
SAN DIEGO - Senior wide receiver Vincent Brown, junior punter Brian Stahovich and senior tight end Alston Umuolo were named to the Phil Steele Magazine preseason all-Mountain West Conference first team. In all, 10 San Diego State players received recognition in the preseason publication.
The three first-team selections were two more than San Diego State has had in the last two seasons combined. Last season, San Diego State did not have a first-team selection.
Brown was one of just five juniors in 2009 to make the Biletnikoff Award semifinal list. Entering the games of Oct. 24 last season, Brown was third nationally in receiving yards, seventh in receptions per game and ninth in all-purpose yards. He suffered a season-ending injury that day and played in just six games, but still posted a league-best five 100-yard receiving games en route to earning second-team all-Mountain West Conference honors. He enters his senior campaign with 140 receptions, 1,758 receiving yards and 13 career touchdowns.
Stahovich was one of just 42 players and 11 underclassmen to earn a spot on the Ray Guy Award Watch List in 2009. Despite playing his home games at sea level, Stahovich averaged 43.8 yards per kick last season, with 17 of his kicks traveling 50 or more yards and 13 of his boots being downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Last season, Stahovich ranked 13th nationally in punt average and 18th in the country in net punting en route to earning second-team all-MWC honors.
Umuolo, played in 12 games a year ago and made 11 starts at tight end for the Aztecs. He finished the 2009 campaign as the fifth-leading receiver on the team with 22 catches for 243 yards and three touchdowns. He enters his senior season with 33 career games played and 42 receptions for 420 yards and four touchdowns.
San Diego State placed three players on the Steele's all-conference second team - junior linebacker Miles Burris, junior quarterback Ryan Lindley and senior wide receiver DeMarco Sampson. San Diego State joins TCU as the only schools to place a quarterback and two wide receivers on the top two teams.
The Aztecs were represented on the third team by senior center Trask Iosefa, senior Aztec Andrew Preston and senior defensive end B.J. Williams.
Earning fourth-team honors was senior defensive end Ernie Lawson.
San Diego State has promotional events in conjunction with the six Saturday home games for Brady Hoke's second season with the Aztecs. In addition to SkyShow, the third-annual replica jersey giveaway is scheduled, as well as Homecoming Weekend, Hall of Fame festivities and other events.
Season tickets for the 2010 season are currently on sale, starting at just $56 for all six games. That includes the KGB SkyShow game against Utah State on Sept. 25 and the Kirk Morrison replica jersey giveaway on Nov. 20 against Utah. Tickets are available through the San Diego State ticket office at (619) 283-7378.
Phil Steele's 2010 Preseason All-Mountain West Conference Teams - San Diego State selections
First Team
WR Vincent Brown
TE Alston Umuolo
P Brian Stahovich
Second Team
LB Miles Burris
QB Ryan Lindley
WR DeMarco Sampson
Third Team
C Trask Iosefa
DE B.J. Williams
AZTEC Andrew Preston
Fourth Team
DT Ernie Lawson