by ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Five University of New Mexico Lobos earned conference postseason accolades as announced by the Mountain West on Wednesday.
Among them was a second team distinction for junior punter Tyson Dyer and four on the honorable mention list in senior running back Ahmari Davis, senior linebacker Alex Hart, and junior offensive linemen Teton Saltes (Oglala Lakota) and Kyle Stapley.
Stapley and Saltes were steady anchors on the offensive line for the Lobos this season, starting in every game this season at center and right tackle, respectively.
The Lobo offensive line was the final team in the FBS to allow a sack, and the team has allowed 18 for the year. UNM currently is tied for 27th in the nation in fewest sacks allowed. The Lobos were led by Rimington candidate Stapley, who has allowed just two sacks, one hit and two hurries in 375 pass blocking sequences. His pass blocking efficiency rating according to Pro Football Focus is 99.1% and that’s the fourth-best mark in the Mountain West among all linemen with 350 pass blocks and 600 total snaps, and best among all Mountain West centers. Saltes anchored the right side of the line, and was a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy.
