OGDEN, Utah - The Montana Grizzlies are unanimous favorites to win the 2007 Big Sky Conference football championship, and also picked up nine spots on the preseason all-conference team.The information was released Monday during the annual summer kickoff in Park City, Utah.
Montana earned all eight possible first-place votes in the coaches’ poll. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams. And UM received all 33 first-place votes in the media poll as well.
The Grizzlies have won or shared nine straight and 12 of the last 14 Big Sky titles and will return 18 starters and 54 lettermen from the 2006 team.
The Griz also had five selections on offense and four on defense on the preseason all-conference team ballot.
Named to the first team were quarterback Cole Bergquist, running back Lex Hilliard, tackle Cody Balogh, wide receiver Eric Allen and kicker Dan Carpenter.
Griz selections on defense were end Kroy Biermann, linebacker Tyler Joyce and safeties Torrey Thomas and Colt Anderson.
Portland State was picked second in both polls. Coaches picked Montana State third while the media went with Northern Arizona. MSU and NAU were reversed on the media poll.
Rounding out both polls were Eastern Washington, Weber State, Sacramento State, Idaho State and Northern Colorado.
Others named to the preseason offensive team were fullback Bobby McClintock and lineman Brennan Carvalho of PSU; tight end Shaun Fitzpatrick and receiver Alex Watson of NAU; lineman David Hale and return specialist Bryant Eteuati of WSU; lineman George Yarno and receiver Eddie Thompson of ISU; and lineman Matt Alfred of EWU.
Joining the four Grizzlies on the defensive squad were end Cole Smith and linebacker Jordan Senn of PSU; tackle Aaron Papich and linebackers Ekikopo King and Bobby Dale of MSU; tackle Dallas Mauga and linebacker Cyrus Mulitalo of Sac State; and cornerbacks K.J. Gerard and Ricky Wilson of Northern Arizona.
The 2007 college football season begins Aug. 30.
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