Cats, Griz named Big Sky All-Conference

If anyone needed any more evidence that the 2016 season is now over for both the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats, they need look no further than the Big Sky All-Conference list, which was released Tuesday afternoon.

Between the Griz and Cats, just one player earned Big Sky First-Team honors, that being Montana State senior offensive lineman J.P. Flynn. And for the Griz, Tuesday marked the first time since 1984 that they didn’t put a player on the First Team.

Montana, which went 6-5 this season, had just 10 players recognized by the Big Sky, led by Second-Team picks David Reese (OL) and Caleb Kidder (DE). Kidder was picked as the Preseason Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year.

Montana’s Jackson Thiebes (OL), Ryan Johnson (DE), Josh Buss (LB) and Connor Strahm (LB) were named to the Third Team. Many thought Buss would be chosen higher after he led the Big Sky in tackles for loss.

Quarterback Brady Gustafson, wide receiver Jerry Louie-McGee, offensive lineman Devon Dietrich and safety Justin Strong received Honorable Mention honors.

The Bobcats, who went 4-7 in Jeff Choate’s first season, had seven players named All Big Sky, led by Flynn. Chad Newell (RB), Mac Bignell (LB) and Bryson McCabe (S) were named to the Second Team.

Joey Michael (ST), Zach Wright (DT) and John Walker (CB) were named Honorable Mention.

A bright spot for the Bobcats was freshman Chris Murray, who beat out Louie-McGee for Big Sky Freshman of the Year honors. Other awards included Eastern Washington’s Gage Gubrud (QB) and Cooper Kupp (WR) sharing the Big Sky Offensive MVP. North Dakota safety Cole Reyes was named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year. Weber State running back Andrew Vollert was named Big Sky Newcomer of the Year.

The Big Sky All-Conference team is selected by the Big Sky’s head football coaches. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.