Three Big Sky Conference Schools are in the FCS Top 25 Rankings with Montana leading the pack at #1 for the first time in two years. Appalachian’s loss this past weekend dropped them to number 5 allowing Montana to take over at #1. Montana State at #18 and Eastern Washington at #21 finish up the Big Sky Schools.

First up, let’s do a quick rundown of scores from last week in the Big Sky:

Thursday, 8/30

#24 (FBS) Boise State 56, Weber State 0

- This one wasn’t even close. The Broncs were up 28-0 at the end of one, and 49-0 by half. It actually could have been worse had not Boise pulled its’ starters towards the end of the half. One positive for the Wildcats - they tied BSU’s backups, 7-7 in the second half.

Northern Arizona 47, Western New Mexico 0

- Alex Watson got his potential Walter Payton season off to a good start, catching 8 passes for 133 yards and 2 scores. Junior Lance Kriesen, replacing All-American Jason Murrieta, looked fine in his first start, going 16-26 for 188 yards and 2 TDs. The Jacks did have to settle for 4 FGs, however, and NAU did fumble the ball 4 times.

Friday, 8/31

Eastern Washington 52, Montana Western 13

- The Eagles struggled a little early on, but sophomore QB Matt Nichols would equal a school record 6 TD passes as EWU cruised past NAIA foe Montana Western. Dale Morris would add148 yards on the ground, and 2 receivers would catch a pair of TD passes.

Saturday, 9/1

#10 McNeese State 35, #13 Portland State 12

- Not a good start for the Glanville era. PSU was able to move the ball into the red zone 3 times in the first 20 minutes of the game, but came away with just 6 points. MSU would can 395 yards of total offense, with 204 of those on the ground.

#2 Montana 37, Southern Utah 17

- Lex Hilliard would look a little rusty, but would have a solid performance in his first return since injuring his achilles tendon a year ago. He would finish with 108 yards on 22 carries with one score. The Thunderbirds would hang around, keeping it within one score until partway through the third. But the Griz would put it away late in the 4th with a TD pass to Eric Allen.

#25 (FBS) Texas A&M 38, #21 Montana State

- The Bobcats would have no trouble moving the ball against their ranked FBS foe, even outgaining them in totals yards; 403 to 390. But the Cats were unable to score when in Aggie territory, moving the ball inside the 30 7 times and coming away with 1 TD, 1 fumble, 1 INT, and three missed FGs. Jack Rolovich would finish 21-39 for 267 yards and 1 score. The Cats were down just 17-7 at half, but the Aggies would pull away late in the third.

#23 (FBS) Hawaii 63, Northern Colorado 6

- In what many predicted would be the worst loss by a BSC team in week one, Hawaii QB Colt Brennan looked like Payton Manning against Butte High, completing 34 passes of his 40 attempts for 416 yards and 6 TDs in the first half alone.

News:

Portland State loses starting QB and FB for the season. Starting QB Tygue Howland will have surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left foot, and starting FB Bobby McLintock tore his right ACL. Brian White should step in for Howland, and Olaniyi Sobomehin will get the nod at FB.

It is a little late but it is here. Come on over to eGriz.com and make your picks. http://www.egriz.com/GrizBoard/fsports.php

The long awaited 2007 Pre-Season “FCS” top 25 poll from the Sports Network was released today.  Three Big Sky Conference teams made the top 25 and they are

Montana Girzzlies at #2 with 3 first place votes.
Portland State Vikings at #13
Montana State Bobcats at #21.

From the Sports Network 

Team (First-place votes) Record Points Previous Rank
1. Appalachian State Mountaineers (67) 14-1 1,771 1
2. Montana Grizzlies (3) 12-2 1,680 3
3. Massachusetts Minutemen 13-2 1,551 2
4. North Dakota State Bison 10-1 1,548 5
5. Youngstown State Penguins 11-3 1,417 4
6. New Hampshire Wildcats (1) 9-4 1,393 6
7. Illinois State Redbirds 9-4 1,227 8
8. James Madison Dukes 9-3 1,149 9
9. Northern Iowa Panthers 7-4 1,141 17
10. McNeese State Cowboys 7-5 1,059 21
11. Furman Paladins 8-4 1,058 12
12. Southern Illinois Salukis 9-4 935 7
13. Portland State Vikings 7-4 866 19
14. Wofford Terriers 7-4 810 23
15. Cal Poly Mustangs 7-4 719 16
16. Hampton Pirates 10-2 567 11
17. Eastern Illinois Panthers 8-5 546 15
18. Sam Houston State Bearkats 6-5 352 NR
19. Delaware Blue Hens 5-6 340 NR
20. South Dakota State Jackrabbits 7-4 336 22
21. Montana State Bobcats 8-5 332 10
22. Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks 9-3 300 13
23. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 9-3 272 14
24. Yale Bulldogs 8-2 166 25
25. South Carolina State Bulldogs 7-4 133 NR

Lincoln High School’s Jordan Polk is visiting Portland State this week after already completing an unofficial visit to the University of Arizona. He holds offers from PSU and Arizona, as well as U-Dub. According to Polk, none of the three currently has an edge over the others. The run and shoot may be the big factor for PSU because Polk is familiar with the system from his high school team. He’s also hearing from Cal, Arizona State, UO and OSU.

Recruiting Profile:
http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=3008199
http://oregonpreps.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=64110

Here’s some video
http://recruiting.scout.com/2/650842.html
There’s also video on his rivals profile.

Here is the list of 2007 preason all-Big Sky Conference players. 

 OFFENSE
QB Cole Bergquist, 6-2, 207, Jr., Montana
RB Lex Hillard, 6-0, 228, Sr., Montana
FB Bobby McClintock*, 5-10, 230, So., Portland State
TE Shaun Fitzpatrick*, 6-2, 237, Jr., Northern Arizona
OL Cody Balogh*#, 6-7, 320, Sr., Montana
OL David Hale*#, 6-6, 305, Sr., Weber State
OL George Yarno*, 6-0, 275, Sr., Idaho State
OL Matt Alfred, 6-3, 310, Sr., Eastern Washington
OL Brennan Carvalho*, 6-1, 310, Sr. Portland State
WR Alex Watson*#, 5-10, 180, Sr., Northern Arizona
WR Eric Allen*# 6-3, 202, Sr., Montana
WR Eddie Thompson, 5-11, 185, Jr., Idaho State
PK Dan Carpenter#, 6-2, 211, Sr., Montana
Ret. Bryant Eteuati#*, 5-7, 180, Jr., Weber State

DEFENSE
DE Kroy Biermann*#,6-3,238,Sr., Montana
DE Cole Smith, 6-3,265, Sr., Portland State
DT Aaron Papich, 6-2,272, Sr.,Montana State
DT Dallas Mauga, 6-1, 290,Sr., Sacramento State
LB Cyrus Mulitalo, 6-1, 245, Sr.,Sacramento State
LB Epikopo King, 6-0, 214, Sr., Montana State
LB Tyler Joyce, 6-5, 227, Sr., Montana
LB Bobby Daly, 6-1,215, Jr., Montana State
LB Jordan Senn,5-10, 225,Sr., Portland State
CB K.J. Gerard, 6-1, 180, Jr., Northern Arizona
CB Ricky Wilson,5-10, 180, Sr.,Northern Arizona
S Torrey Thomas*, 6-0, 180, Sr., Montana
S Colt Anderson*, 5-10, 185, Jr., Montana
P Dan Zeidman, 6-1, 205, Sr., Idaho State
ST Kenneth Mackins, 6-0,185, Sr., Portland State

Pretty solid list, but if Cole Berquist is the best quarterback in the Big Sky in 2007, it could be a rough year for the Sky. 

The Big Sky released the preseason coaches and media polls today. Montana was a unanimous selection for first place in both polls.

2007 Coaches Poll
Team (1st Pl. Votes) Points
1. Montana (8 ) 64
2. Portland State 55
3. Montana State (1) 47
4. Northern Arizona 42
5. Eastern Washington 41
6. Weber State 23
7. Sacramento State 22
8. Idaho State 21
9. Northern Colorado 8

2007 Media Poll
Team (1st Pl. Votes) Points
1. Montana (33) 297
2. Portland State 237
3. Northern Arizona 192
4. Montana State 190
5. Eastern Washington 166
6. Weber State 143
7. Sacramento State 89
8. Idaho State 86
9. Northern Colorado 43

VIENNA, Va. - Former University of Montana defensive end Dustin Dlouhy - who finished his career at UM last fall - has been named to the 45-man Team USA squad that will play in the World Championship of American Football in July.

Dlouhy is the only player selected from the Big Sky Conference and from the state of Idaho.

The announcement was made by Team USA Football executive director Scott Hallenbeck and head coach John Mackovic.

This is the first time the U.S. will play in this international event. Team USA is training at San Jose State University from June 20 to July 4 prior to leaving for Japan.

The six-country tournament will take place July 7-15 in Kawasaki. This year’s event is the third staged by the International Federation of American Football.

read more at http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/05/29/sports/griz/gr56.txt

Say what you will…this guy is a unique individual…you can watch some his documentary at the following link:
http://isubengals.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/051407aab.html

Here are early results from the Big Sky Track and Field Championships going on at Idaho State University’s Davis Field:

The link should keep you up to date with the latest…