Conference

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OGDEN, Utah (July 21, 2008) - Twelve players were unanimous selections to the 2008 Big Sky preseason All-Conference team, which was released at the annual Summer Kickoff in Park City, Utah.

Reigning league offensive MVP Matt Nichols, a junior quarterback from Eastern Washington, was one of five unanimous selections to the offensive team. Nichols threw for 3,744 yards with 34 touchdowns and just nine interceptions as a sophomore, leading the Eagles to the quarterfinals of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Joining Nichols as unanimous picks on offense were Eastern Washington junior wide receiver Aaron Boyce, University of Montana offensive guard Colin Dow, Northern Arizona placekicker Robbie Dehaze and Weber State returner Bryant Eteuati.

Montana State senior linebacker Bobby Daly, a leading candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award, was one of six unanimous selections on defense. Weber State defensive tackle Bryce Scanlon, Sacramento State linebacker Cyrus Mulitalo, Eastern Washington defensive end Greg Peach, Northern Arizona cornerback K.J. Gerard and Montana safety Colt Anderson were also unanimous selections.

Northern Arizona senior Cyrus Igono was a unanimous pick as the special teams player.

The team consists of 29 players, and was voted on by select media and sports information directors. Each of the nine Big Sky teams had at least one player named to the squad. Sixteen of the 29 players were first-team All-Conference picks in 2007.

Ten-time defending conference champion Montana, Eastern Washington, Montana State and Weber State each had four players named. Northern Arizona and Sacramento State are each represented by three players.

Weber State junior Trevyn Smith, who has led the league in rushing the last two seasons, rushed for 1,314 yards in 2007. He was joined in the backfield by Northern Arizona junior Alex Henderson, who gained 908 rushing yards as a sophomore.

Portland State’s Bobby McClintock, a first-team all-league pick in 2006, was selected as the fullback. McClintock sustained a season-ending injury in Portland State’s 2007 opener, but is expected to flourish in 2008 in the Vikings’ run-and-shoot offense.

Northern Colorado senior Ryan Chesla was selected as the tight end. As a junior in 2007, Chesla became the first Bear player to earn first-team All-Conference honors.

Dow was one of three Montana Grizzlies selected to the offensive line. He’s joined by Griz center J.D. Quinn and tackle Brent Russum. Montana State’s Jeff Hansen and Sacramento State’s Ray Navar rounded out the offensive line.

Idaho State’s Eddie Thompson and Eteuati joined Boyce at wide receiver. Boyce caught 85 passes for 1,308 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. Thompson hauled in 83 catches for 907 yards. Eteuati led the nation in all-purpose yards, averaging 207.5 per game.

Eteuati was the lone player selected at two positions.

Peach and Montana State’s Dane Fletcher were the defensive ends. Peach tallied 11 sacks last season, while Fletcher had a league-high 19 tackles for loss. Scanlon and Eastern Washington’s Lance Witherspoon were picked as the tackles.

Mulitalo and Daly were joined by Northern Colorado’s Cristian Sarmento and Sacramento State’s Mike Brannon in the linebacking corps. Daly led the Big Sky with 135 tackles in 2007. Sarmento was second with 131. Mulitalo had 98 tackles, while Brannon had 9.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss.

Senior D.J. Clark of Idaho State and Montana State junior Kevin Retoriano joined Anderson and Gerard in the secondary. Gerard led the league as a junior with six interceptions, while Clark registered four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Anderson tallied 85 tackles in 2007, while Retoriano registered 58 tackles and three interceptions.

Weber State’s Mike Snoy was tabbed as the punter. Snoy averaged 42.1 yards per punt in 2007.

2008 Preseason All-Conference Football Team

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

*First-Team All-Conference in 2007. #Unanimous Selection