Nevada’s Carson Strong dubbed preseason MWC Offensive Player of the Year

A season removed from taking home the award, Nevada quarterback Carson Strong was dubbed the Mountain West preseason Offensive Player of the Year award, it was announced Thursday.

Strong won the award in 2020, becoming the first ever sophomore and the first Nevada player to win the award since joining the Mountain West in 2012.

The gunslinger recorded Mountain West-bests in passing yards (2,858), touchdowns (27), completion percentage (70.1) and pass efficiency rating (160.6). In nine games, he tallied five 300-yard and two 400-yard performances, including a season-high 420 yards (with four TDs) in the season-opener versus Wyoming.

Strong looks to become the first Mountain West player since San Diego State tailback Donnel Pumphrey to win the award in consecutive seasons.

Three Mountain West quarterbacks — TCU’s Andy Dalton (2009-10), Fresno State’s Derek Carr (2012-13) and Colorado State’s Bradlee Van Pelt (2002-03) — have won the award in back-to-back years since the turn of the century. Strong is the odds on favorite to become the fourth!