July 25, 2006

BOISE, Idaho - Four-time defending champion Boise State has been named the favorite in the 2006 Western Athletic Conference football media poll announced today at the conference's football preview being held in Boise, Idaho. The Broncos were 9-4 last year and have won 33 of their last 34 conference games.

Boise State received 432 points and 36 first-place votes from media members around the WAC and nation. Fresno State was picked second after garnering 380 points and nine first-place votes. Nevada finished third with 349 points and four first-place votes followed by Hawai`i with 306 points and the final first-place vote. Louisiana Tech was selected fifth with 256 points followed by San Jose State (153), Utah State (147), Idaho (134) and New Mexico State (93).

The Wolf Pack turned in a 9-3 overall record last year, earning a trip to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. Nevada went 7-1 in conference play to tie for first in the league standings and earn a share of the school's first WAC title and the 13th conference championship in Wolf Pack football history.

The media also voted on preseason players of the year. Hawai`i quarterback Colt Brennan was voted the Offensive Player of the Year while Boise State linebacker Korey Hall was picked as the Defensive Player of the Year.

Brennan, a junior from Irvine, Calif. (Saddleback CC), led the nation in passing yards with 4,301 last year. He completed 68 percent of his passes (350-of-515) and threw for 35 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. Brennan's 371.2 yards of total offense per game were tops in the country, and he was ninth nationally in passing efficiency with a 155.5 rating.

Hall, a senior from Glenns Ferry, Idaho (Glenns Ferry HS), earned first-team all-WAC honors for the second straight year last season after leading the Broncos with 106 tackles (including five for a loss). His 283 career tackles rank 10th on the WAC's all-time list.

The following is the complete 2006 WAC football media poll with first-place votes in parentheses:

Rank Team (1st place votes) Points
1. Boise State (36) 432
2. Fresno State (9) 380
3. Nevada (4) 349
4. Hawai`i (1) 306
5. Louisiana Tech 256
6. San Jose State 153
7. Utah State 147
8. Idaho 134
9. New Mexico State 93