Ronbo
July 17th, 2006, 05:54 PM
2006 Coaches Poll
Team (First-place votes) Points
1. Montana (8) 64
2. Eastern Washington 44
3. Montana State 43
4. Portland State 42
5. Idaho State (1) 40
6. Weber State 36
7. Northern Arizona 24
8. Sacramento State 21
9. Northern Colorado 10
2006 MEDIA POLL
Team (First-place votes) Points
1. Montana (28) 283
2. Montana State (2) 206
3. Weber State 188
3. Portland State (1) 185
5. Idaho State 181.5
6. Eastern Washington (1) 180
7. Northern Arizona 105.5
8. Sacramento State 65
9. Northern Colorado 48
July 17, 2006
Big Sky Announces preseason All-Conference Football Team
Preseason All-Conference Football Team
The Big Sky Conference unveiled its preseason All-Conference football team during the Summer Kickoff in Park City, Utah.
Selected members of the Big Sky Conference media voted for the squad, which features eight players who were selected to the 2005 All-Conference First Team.
Preseason favorite Montana placed six players on the team, including senior running back Lex Hilliard of Kalispell, Mont. Hillard, one of five unanimous picks, led UM in rushing last season with 1,322 yards and 12 touchdowns. Center Jeff Marshall, kicker Dan Carpenter and return specialist Tuff Harris were other Grizzly offensive picks. Defensive end Mike Murphy and special teams player Brady Green, both first-team picks by the coaches following the 2005 season, were also tabbed.
Montana State and Idaho State each placed five on the squad. MSU’s contingent included offensive tackle Joe Hirst, and four players from the league’s top-ranked defense from a year ago: Defensive end Clive Lowe, tackle Aaron Papich, linebacker Epikopo King and safety Ryan Force.
Idaho State placed four players on the offense. Matt Gutierrez, a senior transfer from Michigan, was selected as the quarterback. Bengal wide receivers Eddie Thompson and Akilah Lacey also made the squad, as did fullback Ken Cornist, who rushed for 783 yards and 14 touchdowns as a freshman in 2005.
Eastern Washington All-American offensive guard Matt Alfred was a unanimous selection. He is joined by teammates Tim Calhoun, a senior tight end, and junior safety Bryan Jarrett.
Portland State’s Brennan Carvalho was tabbed as the other guard. PSU’s Matthis Gehring, a 6-1, 300-pound senior, and cornerback Dominic Dixon were named to the defense. Dixon, a first team All-Conference pick in 2005, was a unanimous selection.
Northern Arizona junior cornerback KJ Gerard and All-America candidate punter Rhian Madrid represented the Lumberjacks on the squad. Madrid averaged 43.0 yards per punt.
Weber State is represented by offensive tackle David Hale, and linebacker Tyler DeBry.
Tyson Butler, a senior who had 6.5 sacks last season for Sacramento State, is the other linebacker.
Wide receiver Andy Birkel, of league newcomer Northern Colorado, rounded out the team. Brikel was an all-conference player in the Great West in 2005.
Team (First-place votes) Points
1. Montana (8) 64
2. Eastern Washington 44
3. Montana State 43
4. Portland State 42
5. Idaho State (1) 40
6. Weber State 36
7. Northern Arizona 24
8. Sacramento State 21
9. Northern Colorado 10
2006 MEDIA POLL
Team (First-place votes) Points
1. Montana (28) 283
2. Montana State (2) 206
3. Weber State 188
3. Portland State (1) 185
5. Idaho State 181.5
6. Eastern Washington (1) 180
7. Northern Arizona 105.5
8. Sacramento State 65
9. Northern Colorado 48
July 17, 2006
Big Sky Announces preseason All-Conference Football Team
Preseason All-Conference Football Team
The Big Sky Conference unveiled its preseason All-Conference football team during the Summer Kickoff in Park City, Utah.
Selected members of the Big Sky Conference media voted for the squad, which features eight players who were selected to the 2005 All-Conference First Team.
Preseason favorite Montana placed six players on the team, including senior running back Lex Hilliard of Kalispell, Mont. Hillard, one of five unanimous picks, led UM in rushing last season with 1,322 yards and 12 touchdowns. Center Jeff Marshall, kicker Dan Carpenter and return specialist Tuff Harris were other Grizzly offensive picks. Defensive end Mike Murphy and special teams player Brady Green, both first-team picks by the coaches following the 2005 season, were also tabbed.
Montana State and Idaho State each placed five on the squad. MSU’s contingent included offensive tackle Joe Hirst, and four players from the league’s top-ranked defense from a year ago: Defensive end Clive Lowe, tackle Aaron Papich, linebacker Epikopo King and safety Ryan Force.
Idaho State placed four players on the offense. Matt Gutierrez, a senior transfer from Michigan, was selected as the quarterback. Bengal wide receivers Eddie Thompson and Akilah Lacey also made the squad, as did fullback Ken Cornist, who rushed for 783 yards and 14 touchdowns as a freshman in 2005.
Eastern Washington All-American offensive guard Matt Alfred was a unanimous selection. He is joined by teammates Tim Calhoun, a senior tight end, and junior safety Bryan Jarrett.
Portland State’s Brennan Carvalho was tabbed as the other guard. PSU’s Matthis Gehring, a 6-1, 300-pound senior, and cornerback Dominic Dixon were named to the defense. Dixon, a first team All-Conference pick in 2005, was a unanimous selection.
Northern Arizona junior cornerback KJ Gerard and All-America candidate punter Rhian Madrid represented the Lumberjacks on the squad. Madrid averaged 43.0 yards per punt.
Weber State is represented by offensive tackle David Hale, and linebacker Tyler DeBry.
Tyson Butler, a senior who had 6.5 sacks last season for Sacramento State, is the other linebacker.
Wide receiver Andy Birkel, of league newcomer Northern Colorado, rounded out the team. Brikel was an all-conference player in the Great West in 2005.