Cat, Griz battling for national award
Daly added to Buchanan list with Biermann
Welcome to the party, Bobby Daly.
Bobcat fans, you've got a football player in the running for the national defensive player of the year award.
Daly, a junior Montana State middle linebacker from Helena, was added Tuesday to the Buck Buchanan Award watch list with two other players. The three join 13 other candidates from the original list, which was announced in August.
The winner of the award will be announced at the annual Sports Network awards banquet on Dec. 13 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Daly is tied for fourth nationally in total tackles with 72. He is also fourth in solo tackles (38) and leads the Big Sky Conference in tackles. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder has eight tackles for losses and 3 1/2 sacks. In the past four games, he has 52 tackles - including seven behind the line of scrimmage.
The Helena Capital graduate had the most tackles in the Big Sky last season (121). He holds the Capital record for career sacks (26). He's got 12 1/2 sacks and 26 1/2 tackles for losses at MSU.
Daly has helped MSU rise to as high as No. 11 in the Sports Network Top 25 poll. The Bobcats are off to a 4-2 start and are currently ranked No. 20. They host Sacramento State (1-3 in Big Sky, 1-5 overall) Saturday at 1:05 p.m.
THE MONTANA GRIZZLIES' Kroy Biermann is an original member of the watch list and is having a fantastic season as well.
The senior defensive end from Hardin has 9 1/2 tackles for losses, eight sacks and has forced three fumbles to go with 38 tackles.
With six tackles, five QB hurries, 1 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble on Saturday against Sacramento State, Biermann was named the co-Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this year.
Biermann is No. 4 on the UM career sacks list with 25 1/2. Mike Murphy is third with 27. Tim Bush is the all-time leader with 34 1/2. Biermann is No. 5 on UM's career tackles for losses list as well, with 38. Jason Crebo is fourth (39) and Bush is first with 50.
The Griz are off to a 6-0 start and ranked third in the country. They host Northern Colorado (0-3 in Big Sky, 0-7 overall) Saturday at 1:05 p.m.