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Montana's Kroy Biermann became the second Big Sky Player to Win the Buck Buchanan Award.
OGDEN, Utah - University of Montana senior defensive end Kroy Biermann became the second player in Big Sky Conference history to win the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually by the Sports Network to the top defensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
The 6-foot-3, 241-pounder from Hardin, Mont., captured the prestigious award in a close vote over Appalachian State senior safety Corey Lynch. Biermann received 35 first-place votes and 305 total points. Lynch earned 35 first-place votes and 300 total points. Montana State junior linebacker Bobby Daly was sixth in voting with three first-place votes and 82 total points. Northern Arizona linebacker Cyrus Igono earned one point as a write-in candidate.
A total of 105 media members and sports information directors cast votes.
Biermann received the award on Thursday night at the Sports Network Awards banquet in Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Obviously it is an amazing feeling to be recognized for such a prestigious award,’’ Biermann said. “To be chosen as the top defensive player in the FCS is truly a great experience.’’
“I know that other players who were up for this award all had amazing seasons, and were just as deserving of it as I was. To receive the 2007 Buck Buchanan Award is truly a dream come true.’’
Biermann, the 2007 Big Sky Defensive MVP, led the Big Sky Conference with 15 sacks, second-most in the nation. He registered 18 tackles for loss and a league-high five forced fumbles. Biermann was credited with 72 total tackles.
Montana finished the regular season 11-0, winning its 10th straight Big Sky Conference title and qualifying for the playoffs for the 15th consecutive season.
Led by Biermann, Montana led the Big Sky Conference and finished second in the nation in scoring defense, surrendering just 14.8 points per game. Montana led the Big Sky in total defense at 333.8 yards per game, and was first in pass defense efficiency and second in rushing defense.
“I think some of the credit should go to my coaches, my teammates and to my University,’’ Biermann said. “To get the opportunity to be a part of the Montana Grizzly football program is something I am very thankful for and will cherish the rest of my life.’’
Biermann finished his standout career with 33 sacks, 45 tackles for loss, nine forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries in 52 career games. He started 22 games.
Montana is the first program to see players win the Buchanan and the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the top offensive player in FCS football. Quarterback Dave Dickenson won the 1995 Walter Payton Award, the year he led the Grizzlies to the national championship.
Montana can also claim to be the only school to win all three major individual awards presented by the Sports Network. Joe Glenn, now the coach at Wyoming, won the Eddie Robinson Award in 2000.
Montana previously had two players finish second in the Buck Buchanan Award race, defensive end Andy Petek in 2000, and safety Vince Huntsberger in 2001.
Idaho State defensive end Jared Allen, now a standout with the Kansas City Chiefs, was the first Big Sky player to win the Buchanan in 2003.
Daly, a 6-1, 229-pound junior from Helena, Mont., will enter the 2008 season as a leading candidate for the Buchanan. Daly led the Big Sky Conference with 135 total tackles. He also had 15.5 tackles for loss en route to being named first-team All-Conference. Daly was also selected to the Walter Camp All-America team.
Six Walter Payton award winners have come from the Big Sky Conference, the most of any conference. Idaho QB John Freisz claimed the honor in 1989, followed by Weber State QB Jaime Martin in 1991. Idaho QB Doug Nussmeier claimed the honor in 1993, followed by Dickenson in 1995. Northern Arizona running back Archie Amerson captured the Payton in 1996. Eastern Washington QB Erik Meyer won the honor in 2005.
Current Eastern Washington QB Matt Nichols received 10 points as a write-in candidate. The 6-2, 220-pound sophomore from Cottonwood, Calif., was the Big Sky Conference Offensive MVP. He completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 3,744 yards with 34 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Nichols guided EWU to the quarterfinals. Nichols earned one second-place vote, two fourth-place votes and two fifth-place votes.
Nichols’ former coach Paul Wulff finished 12th in the Eddie Robinson Award voting. Wulff, who accepted the head coaching position at Washington State on Tuesday, guided the Eagles to a 9-4 mark a year after finishing 3-8. Wulff earned five first-place votes and 56 total points. Montana coach Bobby Hauck received eight points as a write-in candidate.
Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley, who guided his team to an 11-0 regular season, claimed the 2007 Eddie Robinson Award.
Georgia Southern QB Jayson Foster won the Walter Payton Award.