Big Sky Announces Preseason Polls and All-Conference Teams
7/25/2022 11:55:00 AM | Football
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Montana, which posted a 10-3 record overall, 6-2 league mark and reached the quarterfinal round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs a year ago, is the preseason pick by both the head coaches and media to win the 2022 Big Sky championship.
The preseason polls as well as the preseason all-conference team were released Monday as part of the Big Sky's Summer Football Kickoff event in Spokane, Wash.
Boasting a roster full of experience, the Griz defense is anchored by 2021 Buck Buchanan Award finalist Patrick O'Connell at linebacker and unanimous First Team All-American cornerback Justin Ford.
The Griz are seeking their first Big Sky Conference title since 2009.
Defending Big Sky champion Sacramento State was selected second by the coaches, while 2021 national runner-up Montana State was tabbed second by the media. The two reversed spots for third place in both polls.
The Hornets claimed the Big Sky Conference trophy last season outright, finishing the year 8-0 in league play with marquee victories over Montana and UC Davis.
Montana State finished the 2021 season 12-3, charging to the FCS National Championship Game with victories over UT Martin, Sam Houston and South Dakota State.
After missing out on a Big Sky football title for the first time since 2016 last season, Weber State has been tabbed fourth in the league. WSU won at least a share of the title in 2017, 2018, 2019 and then won outright in 2020, which was played in the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
UC Davis rounded out the top five in both polls after making a trip to the FCS Playoffs last season.
Cal Poly is No. 10 in both the coaches and media polls.
The preseason all-conference team is highlighted by Preseason MVPs Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. from UC Davis at running back and O'Connell at linebacker.
Gilliam Jr. carried the ball 201 times for nearly 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 43 passes for 278 yards and one score en route to First Team All-Big Sky honors at running back.
As a redshirt junior a year ago, O'Connell was a First Team All-American and All-Big Sky linebacker after finishing as the Big Sky's sack leader.
Earning the nod at quarterback on the Preseason All-Conference Team is Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott, following a massive run through the FCS Playoffs that concluded in a national runner-up finish in Frisco, Texas.
The Bobcats led the league with seven selections, followed by preseason favorite Montana with five honorees.
No Cal Poly players were selected for the preseason all-conference team.
Coaches' Poll
1. Montana (3) - 111
2. Sacramento State (4) - 110
3. Montana State (5) - 109
4. Weber State - 84
5. UC Davis - 82
6. Eastern Washington - 76
7. Northern Arizona - 62
8. Idaho - 45
9. Portland State - 42
10. Cal Poly - 33
11. (tie) Idaho State – 19
11. (tie) Northern Colorado – 19
Media Poll
1. Montana (14) - 356
2. Montana State (13 - 352
3. Sacramento State (4) - 335
4. Weber State - 261
5. UC Davis (1) - 255
6. Eastern Washington - 236
7. Northern Arizona - 191
8. Portland State - 146
9. Idaho - 142
10. Cal Poly - 85
11. Northern Colorado - 71
12. Idaho State - 66
2022 Big Sky Conference Preseason MVPs
Offensive MVP – Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. (UC Davis)
Defensive MVP - Patrick O'Connell (Montana)
Preseason All-Big Sky Conference Team
Offense
QB – Tommy Mellott (Montana State)
RB – Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. (UC Davis), Isaiah Ifanse (Montana State)
FB – R. J. Fitzgerald (Montana State)
TE – Marshel Martin (Sacramento State)
WR – Beau Kelly (Portland State), Efton Chism III (Eastern Washington), Pierre Williams (Sacramento State)
C – Connor Pettek (UC Davis)
OG – Jake Parks (UC Davis), Brandon Weldon (Sacramento State)
OT – Noah Atagi (Weber State), Jonas Leader (Northern Arizona)
Defense
DT – Alex Gubner (Montana), Joshua Jerome (Eastern Washington)
DE – VJ Malo (Portland State), Brody Grebe (Montana State)
OLB – Patrick O'Connell (Montana), David Hoage (Northern Colorado)
ILB – Callahan O'Reilly (Montana State), Fa'Avae Fa'Avae (Idaho)
CB – Justin Ford (Montana), Anthony Adams (Portland State)
S – Robby Hauck (Montana), Morgan Vest (Northern Arizona)
Special Teams
All-Purpose – Asher O'Hara (Sacramento State)
Return Specialist – Malik Flowers (Montana)
Kicker – Kyle Sentkowski (Sacramento State)
Punter – Bryce Leighton (Montana State)
Long Snapper – Tommy Sullivan (Montana State)
Follow all things #BigSkyFB on Twitter and Instagram at @BigSkyFB. Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for all the latest news around the league and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated.
Click here to view the Big Sky's Summer Kickoff page.
The preseason polls as well as the preseason all-conference team were released Monday as part of the Big Sky's Summer Football Kickoff event in Spokane, Wash.
Boasting a roster full of experience, the Griz defense is anchored by 2021 Buck Buchanan Award finalist Patrick O'Connell at linebacker and unanimous First Team All-American cornerback Justin Ford.
The Griz are seeking their first Big Sky Conference title since 2009.
Defending Big Sky champion Sacramento State was selected second by the coaches, while 2021 national runner-up Montana State was tabbed second by the media. The two reversed spots for third place in both polls.
The Hornets claimed the Big Sky Conference trophy last season outright, finishing the year 8-0 in league play with marquee victories over Montana and UC Davis.
Montana State finished the 2021 season 12-3, charging to the FCS National Championship Game with victories over UT Martin, Sam Houston and South Dakota State.
After missing out on a Big Sky football title for the first time since 2016 last season, Weber State has been tabbed fourth in the league. WSU won at least a share of the title in 2017, 2018, 2019 and then won outright in 2020, which was played in the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
UC Davis rounded out the top five in both polls after making a trip to the FCS Playoffs last season.
Cal Poly is No. 10 in both the coaches and media polls.
The preseason all-conference team is highlighted by Preseason MVPs Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. from UC Davis at running back and O'Connell at linebacker.
Gilliam Jr. carried the ball 201 times for nearly 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 43 passes for 278 yards and one score en route to First Team All-Big Sky honors at running back.
As a redshirt junior a year ago, O'Connell was a First Team All-American and All-Big Sky linebacker after finishing as the Big Sky's sack leader.
Earning the nod at quarterback on the Preseason All-Conference Team is Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott, following a massive run through the FCS Playoffs that concluded in a national runner-up finish in Frisco, Texas.
The Bobcats led the league with seven selections, followed by preseason favorite Montana with five honorees.
No Cal Poly players were selected for the preseason all-conference team.
Coaches' Poll
1. Montana (3) - 111
2. Sacramento State (4) - 110
3. Montana State (5) - 109
4. Weber State - 84
5. UC Davis - 82
6. Eastern Washington - 76
7. Northern Arizona - 62
8. Idaho - 45
9. Portland State - 42
10. Cal Poly - 33
11. (tie) Idaho State – 19
11. (tie) Northern Colorado – 19
Media Poll
1. Montana (14) - 356
2. Montana State (13 - 352
3. Sacramento State (4) - 335
4. Weber State - 261
5. UC Davis (1) - 255
6. Eastern Washington - 236
7. Northern Arizona - 191
8. Portland State - 146
9. Idaho - 142
10. Cal Poly - 85
11. Northern Colorado - 71
12. Idaho State - 66
2022 Big Sky Conference Preseason MVPs
Offensive MVP – Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. (UC Davis)
Defensive MVP - Patrick O'Connell (Montana)
Preseason All-Big Sky Conference Team
Offense
QB – Tommy Mellott (Montana State)
RB – Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. (UC Davis), Isaiah Ifanse (Montana State)
FB – R. J. Fitzgerald (Montana State)
TE – Marshel Martin (Sacramento State)
WR – Beau Kelly (Portland State), Efton Chism III (Eastern Washington), Pierre Williams (Sacramento State)
C – Connor Pettek (UC Davis)
OG – Jake Parks (UC Davis), Brandon Weldon (Sacramento State)
OT – Noah Atagi (Weber State), Jonas Leader (Northern Arizona)
Defense
DT – Alex Gubner (Montana), Joshua Jerome (Eastern Washington)
DE – VJ Malo (Portland State), Brody Grebe (Montana State)
OLB – Patrick O'Connell (Montana), David Hoage (Northern Colorado)
ILB – Callahan O'Reilly (Montana State), Fa'Avae Fa'Avae (Idaho)
CB – Justin Ford (Montana), Anthony Adams (Portland State)
S – Robby Hauck (Montana), Morgan Vest (Northern Arizona)
Special Teams
All-Purpose – Asher O'Hara (Sacramento State)
Return Specialist – Malik Flowers (Montana)
Kicker – Kyle Sentkowski (Sacramento State)
Punter – Bryce Leighton (Montana State)
Long Snapper – Tommy Sullivan (Montana State)
Follow all things #BigSkyFB on Twitter and Instagram at @BigSkyFB. Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for all the latest news around the league and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated.
Click here to view the Big Sky's Summer Kickoff page.
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