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http://www.bigskyconf.com/News/football/2009/7/21/PREPOLLFB09.asp?path=football
Coaches, Media Like Montana
Jon Kasper - Big Sky Conference
7/21/2009
OGDEN, Utah (July 21, 2009) - The Montana Grizzlies, whose 2008 season ended with a loss in the Division I Football Championship, have once again been selected by the media and coaches to capture the Big Sky Conference football championship.
The 2009 preseason polls were released by the conference on Tuesday, with Montana selected first in both polls, and 2008 co-conference champion Weber State picked second.
“I’m cautiously optimistic about our chances this year,’’ said Montana sixth-year coach Bobby Hauck. “We had a great off-season of work between December and now. Spring ball was very encouraging. I’m excited to see where this team will go.’’
Montan has won or shared a record 11 straight conference championships.
The Grizzlies earned 27 first-place votes from the media, and a total of 283 points. Fifth-year coach Ron McBride’s Weber State Wildcats received five first-place votes from the media and 261 points. In the coaches’ poll, Montana earned seven first-place votes and 63 total points. Weber State earned one first place vote and 57 total points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Eastern Washington earned the other first-place vote from the coaches and 48 points. The Eagles are picked third in the coaches’ poll, and fourth in the media poll, behind Montana State.
In February, Eastern Washington was placed on probation by the NCAA and hit with a postseason ban in 2009. EWU is currently appealing the postseason ban, but if it is upheld, the Eagles will be ineligible to win the 2009 Big Sky Conference championship.
Weber State claimed a share of its first conference championship since 1968, finishing 7-1 in conference and 10-4 overall in 2008. Weber State beat Montana 45-28 in the regular season, but the Grizzlies avenged the loss with a 24-13 victory in an FCS quarterfinal game.
The two teams square off in Missoula on Oct. 31.
Montana, who stared last year’s title with Weber State, is slated to return 13 starters from the 2008 team, which finished 14-2 overall and lost to Richmond 24-7 in the national title game. Among those retuning are return are senior All-American wide receiver Marc Mariani, and junior running back Chase Reynolds, who set a school single-season record with 22 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore.
Weber State is also expected to return 13 starters, including seven from an offense that averaged a league-high 35.2 points and 455.3 yards per game. Junior quarterback Cameron Higgins is the reigning Big Sky Offensive MVP, and senior running back Trevyn Smith has led the league in rushing three straight seasons. Weber State also returns first-team All-Conference players Beau Hadley (safety), Josh Morris (cornerback) and Kevin Linehan (defensive end) to its defense.
Montana State, which finished 7-5 in 2008, earned 203 points in the media poll and 41 in the coaches’ poll. The Bobcats, who led the league in total defense, will be led by defensive end Dane Fletcher, a candidate for the Buck Buchanan award.
Teams selected fifth through ninth were the same in both polls. Northern Arizona was selected fifth, followed by Portland State, Sacramento State, Northern Colorado and Idaho State.
Northern Arizona has finished 6-5 each of the past three seasons. The Lumberjacks led the nation in rushing defense and sacks in 2008.
Portland State went 4-7 in Jerry Glanville’s second season as head coach in 2008. The Vikings will play six home games this season, in addition to an Oct. 31 road game against Eastern Washington at Qwest Field in Seattle.
Sacramento State is coming off a 6-6 campaign, its most victories since winning seven in 2000.
Northern Colorado and Idaho State are both coming off of one-win seasons.
The 2009 season begins on Saturday, Sept. 5
Coaches' Poll
Team (First-place Votes) Total Points
1. Montana (7) 63
2. Weber State (1) 57
3. Eastern Washington (1) 48
4. Montana State 41
5. Northern Arizona 32
6. Portland State 30
7. Sacramento State 27
8. Northern Colorado 15
9. Idaho State 10
Media Poll
Team (First-place Votes) Total Points
1. Montana (27) 283
2. Weber State (5) 261
3. Montana State 203
4. Easterm Washington 195
5. Northern Arizona 156
6. Portland State 120
7. Sacramento State 102
8. Northern Colorado 71
9. Idaho State 47
Coaches, Media Like Montana
Jon Kasper - Big Sky Conference
7/21/2009
OGDEN, Utah (July 21, 2009) - The Montana Grizzlies, whose 2008 season ended with a loss in the Division I Football Championship, have once again been selected by the media and coaches to capture the Big Sky Conference football championship.
The 2009 preseason polls were released by the conference on Tuesday, with Montana selected first in both polls, and 2008 co-conference champion Weber State picked second.
“I’m cautiously optimistic about our chances this year,’’ said Montana sixth-year coach Bobby Hauck. “We had a great off-season of work between December and now. Spring ball was very encouraging. I’m excited to see where this team will go.’’
Montan has won or shared a record 11 straight conference championships.
The Grizzlies earned 27 first-place votes from the media, and a total of 283 points. Fifth-year coach Ron McBride’s Weber State Wildcats received five first-place votes from the media and 261 points. In the coaches’ poll, Montana earned seven first-place votes and 63 total points. Weber State earned one first place vote and 57 total points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Eastern Washington earned the other first-place vote from the coaches and 48 points. The Eagles are picked third in the coaches’ poll, and fourth in the media poll, behind Montana State.
In February, Eastern Washington was placed on probation by the NCAA and hit with a postseason ban in 2009. EWU is currently appealing the postseason ban, but if it is upheld, the Eagles will be ineligible to win the 2009 Big Sky Conference championship.
Weber State claimed a share of its first conference championship since 1968, finishing 7-1 in conference and 10-4 overall in 2008. Weber State beat Montana 45-28 in the regular season, but the Grizzlies avenged the loss with a 24-13 victory in an FCS quarterfinal game.
The two teams square off in Missoula on Oct. 31.
Montana, who stared last year’s title with Weber State, is slated to return 13 starters from the 2008 team, which finished 14-2 overall and lost to Richmond 24-7 in the national title game. Among those retuning are return are senior All-American wide receiver Marc Mariani, and junior running back Chase Reynolds, who set a school single-season record with 22 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore.
Weber State is also expected to return 13 starters, including seven from an offense that averaged a league-high 35.2 points and 455.3 yards per game. Junior quarterback Cameron Higgins is the reigning Big Sky Offensive MVP, and senior running back Trevyn Smith has led the league in rushing three straight seasons. Weber State also returns first-team All-Conference players Beau Hadley (safety), Josh Morris (cornerback) and Kevin Linehan (defensive end) to its defense.
Montana State, which finished 7-5 in 2008, earned 203 points in the media poll and 41 in the coaches’ poll. The Bobcats, who led the league in total defense, will be led by defensive end Dane Fletcher, a candidate for the Buck Buchanan award.
Teams selected fifth through ninth were the same in both polls. Northern Arizona was selected fifth, followed by Portland State, Sacramento State, Northern Colorado and Idaho State.
Northern Arizona has finished 6-5 each of the past three seasons. The Lumberjacks led the nation in rushing defense and sacks in 2008.
Portland State went 4-7 in Jerry Glanville’s second season as head coach in 2008. The Vikings will play six home games this season, in addition to an Oct. 31 road game against Eastern Washington at Qwest Field in Seattle.
Sacramento State is coming off a 6-6 campaign, its most victories since winning seven in 2000.
Northern Colorado and Idaho State are both coming off of one-win seasons.
The 2009 season begins on Saturday, Sept. 5
Coaches' Poll
Team (First-place Votes) Total Points
1. Montana (7) 63
2. Weber State (1) 57
3. Eastern Washington (1) 48
4. Montana State 41
5. Northern Arizona 32
6. Portland State 30
7. Sacramento State 27
8. Northern Colorado 15
9. Idaho State 10
Media Poll
Team (First-place Votes) Total Points
1. Montana (27) 283
2. Weber State (5) 261
3. Montana State 203
4. Easterm Washington 195
5. Northern Arizona 156
6. Portland State 120
7. Sacramento State 102
8. Northern Colorado 71
9. Idaho State 47
