Mountain West unveils football season’s new look with Vegas flair

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LAS VEGAS — For the Mountain West, being dumped never appeared to feel so good.

Two weeks after five schools officially seceded, the Mountain West was host to a two-day bash to celebrate the coming football season.

What happens in Vegas … was shared and reposted on social media.

Under the guise of “media days,” the conference invited the head coach and four players from each of the 10 member schools for video, photo and print sessions. Several sessions were live-streamed. There were more than 20 broadcast tables at the Palms Resort. The league even issued credentials to fringe “reporters” tweeting on X.

The Mountain West’s stars — including Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado, who was selected as preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and Nevada’s Dylan Labarbera, last year’s leader in backfield tackles — were in attendance. Air Force’s players wore blue uniforms; New Mexico’s players were in suits and red ties; the Rainbow Warriors were fitted for custom-made glasses.

The league also invited each school’s mascot. UH, which does have a mascot, brought two cheer-squad members.

While a preseason All-Mountain West team was announced, the conference did not produce a poll. There would have been no value, league officials insisted, for teams picked at the bottom. New Mexico, which was predicted 12th out of 12 last year, finished second. It also was believed to be unfair to prejudge football newcomers UTEP, Northern Illinois and North Dakota State.

The Mountain West accentuated the positives. Addressing the era of name-image-likeness deals and revenue sharing, business leaders conducted a seminar on money management.

The diverse climates? UNLV players experienced 108-degree summer nights and a hail storm in Wyoming.

“It was fun,” UNLV offensive lineman Austin Boyd said of the hail of a game. “I used to play Madden as a kid, and turned my setting to heavy snow. I think I was made for that.”

Ahead of commissioner Gloria Nevarez’s state-of-the-league address, a video showed each member’s capital-improvement projects. There was a segment on the replacement facility for Aloha Stadium, which is set to open in the spring of 2029.

On the final afternoon of the event, a portable freezer containing several varieties of ice cream bars was wheeled into the interview room. It was the preferred cooling-off period for the media.

The now-rival Pac-12 was frozen out of conversations. Two years ago, 10 of the Pac-12 members bolted for the Big Ten, Atlantic Coast Conference or Big 12, leaving behind Oregon State and Washington State.

The Mountain West agreed to alter its 2024 schedule to provide OSU and WSU with nonconference games. But in September of that year, OSU and WSU enticed Boise State. Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State to leave the Mountain West. This year, there is only one game — Fresno State at San Jose State — involving a secessionist and current Mountain West team.

While the Mountain West promoted itself last week, the Pac-12 decided to become the only one of 10 FBS conferences not to have a media day. That allowed the Mountain West to tout the renewed UTEP-New Mexico rivalry (both were long-time members of the Western Athletic Conference), the ascent of North Dakota State (which won 10 FCS national titles in 15 years through 2024), and the battle for dominance vacated by Boise State’s secession.

AIR FORCE FALCONS

>> Head coach: Troy Calhoun

>> 2025 records: 4-8, 3-5 Mountain West

>> Falcon story: The Academy does not offer NIL money or accept transfers. But Calhoun, in his 20th year as head coach, has embraced the passing fad. In an airing-it-out performance, Liam Szarka was 10-for-12 for 278 yards and three TDs in a loss to Hawaii last year. Grounded in the triple-option for generations, dual-threat Szarka has the arm and touch to reach every branch of the passing tree. Most remarkable, the passing reps are limited in practices and spring ball because of the program’s heavy academic requirements. “What makes our team so special is we’re able to time-manage very well,” Szarka said. The O-linemen also are crafty in pass blocking out of run-block techniques. The O-line is collectively known as “Diesel” — a group that eats together and presents a special hat to honorary members, such as Szarka.

>> Falcon to watch: Any doubts on Szarka being a top gunner? Szarka said he aspires to pilot fighter jets. “You get so many opportunities at the Air Force Academy that you can’t find anywhere else. …It’s much like being on a football team, where you’re competing and you’re trying to get better every single day. And so I think that’s something that I really want to strive to do.” Szarka, who can comfortably launch passes up to 65 yards, has connected on 58.6% of his throws of 20-plus yards.

HAWAII RAINBOW WARRIORS

>> Head coach: Timmy Chang

>> 2025 records: 9-4, 5-3 MW

>> Warrior story: The Warriors reset with a new television contract with Hawaii News Now, a full membership with the MW instead of football only, and widespread financial backing. While state lawmakers opted not to contribute even an obsolete penny to the Warriors’ NIL pool, five local businesses and the community pledged $1 million a year for the next five years. UFC donated more than $100,000 in production costs to shoot and edit footage for promos of the UH football program. On the field, Chang is counting on QB1 Micah Alejado and linebacker Jamih Otis — two of 16 alumni of second-ranked Bishop Gorman High of Las Vegas — to rebound from injuries. Alejado played 11 games with fractures in his right ankle. Otis has been fully cleared from an ACL injury that required surgery in December. Otis will have an expanded role in the box after moving from middle linebacker to the Will position. After wideouts Jackson Harris and Brandon White transferred, the Warriors signed five receivers from Power 4 schools. Sean Olvera-Harle replaces Kansei Matsuzawa as the point-scoring kicker, and an international player will soon join the competition at punter.

>> Warrior to watch: At 5-8, in cleats and while taking a deep breath, nickelback Elijah Palmer often is overlooked. “People don’t understand nickel,” he said of his hybrid role of inside corner, middle safety, linebacker and blitzer. Reared by grandparents who worked extra shifts to pay for his Bishop Gorman education, Palmer is now the picture of stability. He is married, on track to graduate in December after 3 1/2 years, and the leadership successor to safety Peter Manuma.

NEVADA WOLF PACK

>> Head coach: Jeff Choate

>> 2025 records: 3-9, 2-6 MW

> Wolf Pack story: After four consecutive sub-.500 seasons, Nevada players are hungry like, well, the Wolf Pack. “We’ve worked really hard and, yeah, it’s going to be a good year,” said rush end Dylan LaBarbera, who amassed 17 backfield tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2025. Similar to working on his 1979 Ford F-250 truck, LaBarbera has spent numerous offseason hours improving his football motor. “Nobody wants to see No. 32 across him,” Choate said. “I promise you this guy is something else. He’s a tough out. He’s hard to block.” The resurgence of the Air Raid features 6-4 wideout Marshaun Brown, who has 50-50-ball length, grip (he practices without gloves to get a feel for the football) and grit. This summer, the receivers and QBs rented an Airbnb in Newport Beach, where they bonded over food and training. “Just building that connection,” Brown said.

>> Wolf to watch: Here’s the takeaway on linebacker EJ Smith: He’s earned his nickname of “Takeaway Machine.” He forced 15 fumbles and picked off four passes in high school; made six interceptions in two years at Cerritos College, and had two takeaways before suffering a season-ending injury last year. “I’m just a fast reader,” Smith said. “I watch a lot of film and know when a quarterback’s going to release the ball. And I go and get it.”

NEW MEXICO LOBOS

>> Head coach: Jason Eck

>> 2025 records: 9-4, 6-2 MW

>> Lobo story: Win or go home? Linebacker Jaxton Eck did both, compiling 129 tackles and leading his father’s Lobos to a tie for second place last year. After three seasons at Idaho, the younger Eck followed his father to Albuquerque. “I think my mother might have been the biggest recruiter,” Eck said. “She loves having me close to home, and I love being there. I love playing for my dad and having my family at every game.” Eck hits the gaps created by 3-tech tackle Brian Booker. “When you can legally put your hands on another man and just work off that, it’s fun,” Booker said. “And our ‘backers appreciate that. You don’t get a lot of glory but you get to move people around, and that’s a fun thing to do.” QB1 Jack Layne, also a 2025 transfer from Idaho, completed 65.1% of his passes but managed a 13/10 split on TDs and picks. Growing up, Layne had little trouble finding someone to play catch. “I have a twin brother,” Layne said. “You never have to find a receiver because you’ve got your brother right there.”

>> Lobo to watch: France-reared offensive lineman Malik Aliane caught football fever watching a telecast of Super Bowl XLVIII between the Seahawks and Broncos. He joined a local club, where he caught the attention of New Mexico Military Institute coaches. He spent two years at the junior college, then signed with the Lobos. Aliane has scouted “Breaking Bad” locations, flown in a hot-air balloon and now blocks for Layne. “The American dream still exists,” he said.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES

>> Head coach: Rob Harley

>> 2025 records: 3-9, 2-6 Mid-American Conference

>>Husky story: On Feb. 18, Thomas Hammock announced he was resigning as head coach to join the Seattle Seahawks as running backs coach and senior offensive assistant. A month after joining the Huskies as defensive coordinator, Harley was named interim head coach. In March, former Charleston head coach Tony Petersen was hired as OC to resuscitate an attack averaging 98.8 passing yards per game. When spring ball ended, QB Jalen Macon and Brady Davidson were locked in a duel. But last month, Taron “Tyger” Dickens signed with the Huskies as QB1. At Western Carolina, Dickens led all FCS QBs with 74.2% accuracy. Against Wofford, he set an FCS single-game record with 48 completions in a row. He finished 53-for-56. Dickens had signed with Bill Belichick at North Carolina in January but was released for academic reasons. Harley said this should be an easy transition for Dickens because Petersen’s simplified playbook is new to all the QBs. “It’s not in year 10 of some 380-play playbook that someone’s got to learn all that stuff,” Harley said. “If there was a time to transfer the offense, this is the time.”

>> Husky to watch: Harley was hired initially to add ferocity to the defense, as he did as coordinator with Arkansas State the past four seasons, and counter the Mountain West’s multiple offenses. Although DJ Bland is listed as pass-defense coordinator, Harley is expected to make the defensive calls and oversee the meetings.

NORTH DAKOTA STATE BISON

>> Head coach: Tim Polasek

>> 2025 records: 12-1, 8-0 Missouri Valley Football Conference

>> Bison story: In dominating the FCS the past 15 years, fans pondered competing at the next level. That reality is now — a responsibility that weighs heavily on Polasek. “The one thing that’s on my mind daily, maybe 50 times a day, is I’d really like to prove as a Bison nation that we belong, that we can be competitive, and we can be successful,” Polasek said. NDSU gets a chance right away. The NCAA waived the probationary period, making the Bison eligible for a league title. Under OC Dan Larson, the Bison attack out of power formations, often using a fullback or second tight end. At 6-3 and 228 pounds, Nathan Hayes has a similar build to NDSU alumni Carson Wentz and Trey Lance, both NFL first-round picks. Hayes is among the more than 80% of Bison who signed with NDSU out of high school. The Bison have 20 transfers. “The blue-collar, hard-working guys are a big reason for some of the retention,” Polasek said.

>> Bison to watch: Every play, nose tackle Keenan Wilson is in football’s version of a hyperbaric chamber, 9 square yards that is not for the claustrophobic. While being hit by two blockers, Wilson cancels running lanes and keeps opponents off his linebackers. Wilson managed 36 tackles, including 1.5 sacks and an interception, from the mosh pit. “I think play after play, they try to cover me up,” Wilson said. “The one play they want to slip off and go get a linebacker — that’s when I get to sneak and make my play.”

SAN JOSE STATE SPARTANS

>> Head coach: Ken Niumatalolo

>> 2025 records: 3-9, 2-6 MW

>> Spartan story: The past two years, SJSU’s Nick Nash and Danny Scudero each took a turn as the nation’s leader in receiving yards. Each entered the portal after the regular season in 2024 and in 2025. In January, QB Walker Eget transferred to Duke. Maybe Malachi Riley, who was injured last season, can claim the top receiver’s job. Maybe Jabari Bates or West Virginia transfer Tyler Jacklich can elevate the run game. The O-line is set, beginning with Joseph Harbert, the center and lead barbecue griller for the monthly gatherings. Seeking more playing time, quarterback Luke Weaver transferred from Hawaii. Daniel Rolovich, the son of former UH head coach and record-setting passer Nick Rolovich, is in the mix for starting QB.

>> Spartan to watch: Nothing personal, but after an enjoyable season at UH — 2-0 as a starter, winning TD pass in the Hawaii Bowl — Weaver wanted a shot at QB1. Weaver showed patience, accuracy and a command of the huddle. OC Craig Stutzmann’s spread-and-shred schemes should make use of Weaver’s efficient scrambling.

UNLV REBELS

>> Head coach: Dan Mullen

>> 2025 records: 10-4, 6-2 MW

>> Rebel story: The newest uniforms should come with targets on the back. The Rebels have made the biggest splashes in the post-Boise era. Visiting recruits posed for pictures next to the Rebels’ custom-designed helicopter. “I mean, we’ve got to feed the ’Gram, right,” Mullen said. “You got your social media. They’ve got to get their followers up.” On the first day of the early-signing period, the Rebels signed 24, all freshmen. QB Anthony Colandrea, who was named the Mountain West’s 2025 Offensive Player of the Year, transferred to Nebraska in January. Auburn transfer Jackson Arnold and Alex Orji, a former Michgan QB who was limited to three games because of an injury last year, are contending for the starting job.

>> Rebel to watch: His teachers called him “JET,” perhaps as an acronym for Jai’Den Elijah Thomas. “Jet” became a description for UNLV’s speed back. Last year, in tribute to his late father Kenneth Thomas, he wrote KT3 on his wrist tape. Thomas rushed for 1,036 yards (7.0 per carry) and 12 touchdowns. Then he decided to stay put, rejecting proposals to transfer. “This was the first place to give me a real opportunity to showcase who I really am in football,” he said. “I wanted to continue a legacy that means deeply.”

UTEP MINERS

>> Head coach: Scotty Walden

>> 2025 records: 2-10, 1-7 Conference USA

>> Miner story: A couple years ago, UTEP opened a $5 million locker room. Last year, new uniforms were unveiled. And this year, supporters donated $3 million to the NIL fund. Walden is launching a quick-as-a-blink offense. The goal is to snap the ball within 12 seconds. “Tempo is a philosophy, it’s not just an offensive thing.” Walden said. “It’s an everyday thing. It’s how we live our lives, how we lift weights, how we move. It’s how we run meetings. We’ll meet fast. We’ll talk fast.” Walden renamed spring ball as “spring opportunities.” The offense is “Blue Blaze, ” the defense is “Orange Swarm, the specialists are “We-fense.” Incarnate Word transfer EJ Colson is the signal-caller. Kam Thomas, fully recovered from an ACL injury, is the multi-purpose “Miner Back.”

>> Miner to watch: Two years ago, a healthy Thomas caught 47 passes and rushed 13 times. His speciality was punt returns, averaging 20.0 yards. He starts each day thinking about catching punts. “I envision that all day, even when I’m in the shower,” Thomas said. He remains focused during games. “Play with no fear,” he said. “That’s the type of mindset a punt returner needs.”

WYOMING COWBOYS

>> Head coach: Jay Sawvel

>> 2025 records: 4-8, 2-6 MW

>> Cowboy story: Sawvel knew a change was needed after a 10-0 victory over Akron. The Cowboys should have scored 40. Sawvel also wanted to counter punch the trend of 4-2-5 defenses. Sawvel hired Christian Taylor, who was with the Buffalo Bills the past two seasons as OC. Buffalo QB Josh Allen is the Cowboys’ most prominent alumnus. Taylor then targeted William & Mary quarterback Tyler Hughes, who was in the portal. Taylor was on W&M’s staff in 2023. Taylor embraced a new scenery and the chance to play under an offensive adviser with the Bills. “I love Josh Allen,” Hughes said. “He’s a Wyoming great.” Teammates have introduced Hughes to “Cowboy tough.” At 7,200 feet above sea level, ‘Cowboy tough’ is a mindset,” linebacker Ethan Stuhlsatz said. “It’s (a) disciplined, gritty, blue-collar vibe. Coming to work every day, putting your best foot forward, no complaining.”

>> Cowboy to watch: D-tackle Jayden Williams will go to the mat for teammates. After all, he earned four letters as a high school wrestler. He said the moves help with leverage and fighting off grasping blockers. “I believe it should be a mandatory requirement for every guy who plays in the trenches,” Williams said. “It helped me play football and tackle.”

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