By Jarra Gojolo — Senior Content Editor
San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan has been named the Mountain West Coach of the Year, the conference announced today.
Brennan and eleven players — yes, eleven — have been given Mountain West honors for their performances during the Spartans’ historic 6-0 season.
Coach of the Year: Brent Brennan
In his fourth year at the helm the Spartans are scoring over 30 points a game while allowing just 17 to opponents, both among the top three in the Mountain West.
In three seasons SJSU went from 1-11, to 5-7, to 6-0.
Defensive Player of the Year: Cade Hall
Hall was the leader of the strongest defensive front in the conference. The junior led the Mountain West with eight sacks, including a career-high three in the Spartans’ win against UNLV.
First team: Hall, Viliami Fehoko, Bailey Gaither, Jack Snyder, Kyle Harmon
Hall’s D-line partner Viliami Fehoko joins him on the all-Mountain West first team with five sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.
Gaither proved to be one of the most explosive players in the conference, finishing third with 627 receiving yards and three scores.
Harmon’s 11.2 tackles per game was third in the conference, while Snyder led a SJSU offensive line that only allowed five sacks all season.
Second team: Nick Starkel, Tre Jenkins, Tre Walker
Starkel’s first season in the Mountain West saw him lead the conference in yards per pass attempt, and throw for a conference-high 467 yards in the Spartans’ win against New Mexico.
Walker had a multitude of highlight catches in that game, and was second on the team with 409 receiving yards.
Jenkins led the team in interceptions and fumbles recoveries with two apiece.
Honorable Mentions: Tre Webb, Matt Mercurio, Derrick Deese Jr.
Mercurio only missed one kick all season, finishing a perfect 23/23 on PATs and 5/6 on FGs.
Deese caught four scores as one of Starkel’s favorite red zone targets while Webb recorded the most tackle and pass breakups in the Spartans’ secondary.
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