The Mountain West Conference (MWC) will have three of its top QBs return in 2022. In addition, all three were ranked among the Top 25 passers in the FBS.
Top QBs Return to the MWC in 2022
Jake Haener, Fresno State (2021 FBS Top 25 QB Ranking: #8)
Haener ranked in the Top Ten (#8) in passing yards per game in the FBS (315 yards/game) and #9 in total passing yards (4096 yards). He threw 33 touchdown passes and only 9 INTs (in 490 pass attempts). In addition, Haener completed 67% of his passes.
He recorded seven games of over 300 yards passing. One example occurred on the road against UCLA, where Haener passed for 455 yards, 2 TDs, and an INT in a 40–37 win.
In a 38–30 win against UNLV, Haener threw 5 touchdown passes (and 378 yards).
Six times last season, Haener completed 70% of his passes. In addition, he had three games with three TD passes, and 2 games with 4 TD passes.
Haener led a Bulldog offense that led the MWC in yards per game (463) and was second in points per game (33 per game). As a result, Fresno State finished the 2021 season at 10–3.
The Bulldogs kick off the 2022 season Thursday, September 1st vs Cal-Poly.
Logan Bonner, Utah State (2021 FBS Top 25 QB Ranking: #21)
Bonner (a transfer from Arkansas State) was the MVP of the Mountain West Championship Game after going 29 of 42 for 318 yards and 4 TDs. He completed 69% of his passes in the 46–13 win over San Diego State.
Bonner passed for 3628 yards, 36 TDs, and 12 INTs. He produced five games of over 300 yards passing. He was #3 in the MWC in passing at 259 yards per game.
Bonner posted five games with four passing touchdowns, including three in a row (all wins).
In a 35–10 win over New Mexico, Bonner threw for five touchdowns (and 312 yards) and zero INTs.
However, Bonner did suffer a knee injury in the L.A. Bowl win over Oregon State. As a result, he was forced to miss spring practice. However, all reports suggest he is ready for the season opener on Saturday vs UConn.
Hank Bachmeier, Boise State Broncos (2021 FBS Top 25 QB Ranking: #24)
Coming off a 7–5 record last season, Bachmeier passed for 3080 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 8 INTs (in 401 pass attempts). He completed 62% of his passes.
He has started 25 career games for the Broncos. As a result, has totaled 6109 passing yards in his three seasons in Boise.
Bachmeier averaged 256 yards per game last season, ranking him 4th in the MWC. He had two games of over 300 yards passing. For instance, against Nevada, he threw for 388 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 41–31 loss.
The offensive line does return three starters. But it was like a sieve. As a result, Bachmeier was sacked 27 times
Boise State opens the 2022 season on the road at Oregon State on Saturday, September 3rd.
The Top QBs Returning to the MWC in 2022 Earn Preseason Honors
Several players from the Mountain West have earned spots on national player award watchlists this preseason, including Haener and Bonner.
Bonner is listed on the Maxwell Award and Davey O’Brien Award watchlists.
In addition to the Davey O’Brien Award, Haener also appears on the Manning Award, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award watchlists.
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