Griz top preseason Big Sky polls, Cats 2nd

SPOKANE, Washington — Coming off a trip to the FCS national championship game in January, Montana was picked to win the Big Sky Conference for a second consecutive season in both the media and coaches preseason polls Sunday.

The Grizzlies, who fell to South Dakota State 23-3 in Frisco, Texas, earned 10 of 12 first place votes in the coaches poll. Montana State had one first place vote as the Bobcats were chosen to place second in both polls. UC Davis received the final first place vote in the coaches poll but was selected to finish fourth overall.

Montana (26) and Montana State (9) combined for 35 of the 38 first place votes in the media poll, Idaho (2) and UC Davis (1) also received first place votes. 

Montana State had nine players selected for the preseason all-Big Sky team including: QB Tommy Mellott, DL Brody Grebe, P Brendan Hall and long snapper Tommy Sullivan as leading vote getters in their position groups. Grebe also earned the honor of preseason defensive MVP for the conference. 

Also selected for the Bobcats were: FB Rohan Jones, OL Marcus Wehr, OL Justus Perkins, LB Danny Uluilakepa and DB Rylan Ortt. 

Griz senior Junior Bergen earned his spot on the all-Big Sky preseason team as a wide receiver and punt returner. 

Bergen is joined on the team by fellow Grizzlies: RB Eli Gilman, OL Brandon Casey, LB Riley Wilson, DB Trevin Gradney and Isiah Childs. 

Montana State opens their season on the road August 24 at New Mexico (2 p.m. on FS1), while Montana takes the field on August 31 hosting Missouri State (7 p.m.).