Phil Steele Publications Names Six Wyoming Cowboys to Its 2020
All-Mountain West Conference Teams
Juniors Valladay, Cryder and Muma Named to the First Team
All-Mountain West Conference Teams
Juniors Valladay, Cryder and Muma Named to the First Team
Laramie, Wyo. (Jan. 12, 2020) -- Phil Steele publications has released its 2020 Mountain West All-Conference teams and six Wyoming Cowboys were selected. First Team honors went to three Cowboy juniors: running back Xazavian Valladay, center Keegan Cryder and linebacker Chad Muma.
True freshman place-kicker John Hoyland was selected to the Second Team. Senior offensive guard Logan Harris was named to the Third Team, and junior cornerback C.J. Coldon earned Fourth Team honors.
Wyoming First Team Selections
Keegan Cryder, Junior Center, Littleton, Colo.
Keegan Cryder has been named to the Phil Steele First Team All-Mountain West team for 2020. Cryder was also named to the 2020 Rimington Trophy Watch List and the 2020 Outland Trophy Watch List. He earned 2020 First Team All-Mountain West honors in voting by conference head coaches and media. He was also voted to the 2020 Preseason All-Mountain West Conference First Team by conference media members. Cryder was a 2019 Second Team All-Mountain West selection in voting by conference head coaches and media members. He was the leader of a 2020 Wyoming offensive line that helped the Cowboys rank No. 2 in the Mountain West and No. 14 in the nation in rushing offense, averaging 219.5 rushing yards per game.
The center was part of a Cowboy offense that rushed for over 280 yards in three of six games this season (281 vs. Hawai'i, 399 at UNLV and 283 at New Mexico). He helped fuel a Wyoming offense that totaled over 360 yards in total offense in five of six games this season (361 at Nevada, 393 vs. Hawai'i, 465 at Colorado State, 498 at UNLV and 374 at New Mexico).
Cryder helped pave the way for Cowboy running back Xazavian Valladay to lead the MW and rank No. 17 in the FBS in rushing in 2020, averaging 110.0 yards per game. Behind Cryder and his offensive line unit, Wyoming had two running backs record a combined four 100-yard rushing games in six games this season. (Xazavian Valladay: 163 rushing yards vs. Hawai'i and 147 rushing yards at Colorado State. Trey Smith: 165 rushing yards at UNLV and 154 rushing yards at New Mexico.)
The junior center was also voted a team captain by his teammates in 2020.
Chad Muma, Junior, Linebacker, Lone Tree, Colo.
Chad Muma has been selected to the Phil Steele First Team All-Mountain West team for 2020. Muma earned 2020 First Team All-Mountain West honors in voting by conference head coaches and media, as well. He ranked No. 1 in the Mountain West and No. 3 in the nation in tackles this season, averaging 11.8 tackles per game. Muma also ranked No. 8 in the MW and No. 38 in the nation in tackles for loss, averaging 1.3 TFLs per game, with 8.0 total tackles for loss on the season. He averaged 5.5 solo tackles per game to rank No. 5 in the Mountain West and No. 16 in the country. The junior led Wyoming in tackles (72), tackles for loss (8.0), sacks (3.0) and solo tackles (33).
Other statistical categories he ranked among Mountain West leaders this season were: No. 8 in fumbles recovered (1) and No. 13 in sacks (0.50 per game / 3.0 total sacks).
Muma recorded five double-figure tackle games in the six games he played in 2020, including: a career best 17 at Colorado State, 14 at Nevada, 13 vs. Boise State, 10 at UNLV and 10 at New Mexico. At Nevada, Muma had 14 tackles, including 10 solo tackles, 1.0 TFL and 1 forced fumble. Versus Hawai'i, he was credited with 7 tackles, 1 fumble recovery and 1 pass breakup. At Colorado State, he recorded a career high 17 tackles, including 1.5 TFLs. At UNLV, Muma had career highs of 3.5 TFLs for 26 yards and 3.0 sacks for 25 yards to go with 10 total tackles. Against New Mexico, the junior made 10 tackles, including 2.0 TFLs, and he concluded the season with 13 tackles vs. Boise State
He was voted a team captain by his teammates for the 2020 season.
Xazavian Valladay, Junior, Running Back, Matteson, Ill.
Xazavian Valladay earned First Team All-Mountain West honors from Phil Steeel for the second consecutive season. Valladay also earned 2020 and 2019 First Team All-Mountain West honors in voting by conference head coaches and media. He ranked No. 1 in the Mountain West and No. 17 in the nation in rushing yards per game, averaging 110.0 rushing yards per game. Valladay also ranked No. 3 in the Mountain West and No. 27 in the nation in all-purpose yards per game, averaging 131.00 yards. His single-game rushing totals for 2020 included: 163 rushing yards vs. Hawai'i; 147 at Colorado State; 94 at UNLV and 87 at Nevada.
Valladay's single-game all-purpose yardage totals for 2020 included: 195 vs. Hawai'i; 147 at Colorado State; 131 at Nevada, 94 at UNLV and 88 vs. Boise State. His season totals for the five games he played this season included: 99 carries for 550 rushing yards, 13 pass receptions for 105 receiving yards and 112 total plays for 655 yards of all-purpose yardage.
Valladay accounted for 21 explosive plays of 10 or more yards in five games in 2020, including: 17 runs of 10 or more yards for 336 total yards and 4 pass receptions of 10 or more yards for 81 yards. Against Nevada, Valladay had four rushing plays of 10 or more yards for 47 yards and had two pass receptions of 10 or more yards for 26 yards. He ended the day with 87 rushing yards, 44 receiving yards and 131 all-purpose yards. Versus Hawai'i, he had six rushing plays of 10 or more yards for 85 yards and had one pass reception of 10 or more yards for 26 yards. On the day, he rushed for 163 yards, had 32 receiving yards and 195 all-purpose yards. At Colorado State, Valladay had three runs of 10 or more yards for 85 yards. He concluded the day with 147 rushing yards and 147 all-purpose yards. At UNLV, the junior recorded a 78-yard TD run and despite being injured in the first quarter and missing the remainder of the game still accounted for 94 rushing yards and 94 all-purpose yards. His injury against UNLV forced him to miss the entire New Mexico game on Dec. 5. Valladay came back from injury in the season finale against Boise State to have three rushing plays of 10 yards or more and one pass play of 29 yards and ended the day with 59 rushing yards and 88 all-purpose yards.
