EWU picked to win Big Sky in football
From news services
SPOKANE — Returning 18 starters and seven All-Big Sky performers, Eastern Washington was named the favorite to win the 2018 Big Sky Conference race by the league’s 13 head coaches and selected media from across the region, the league announced Monday.
Under second-year head coach Aaron Best, Eastern Washington sports a roster that features 28 seniors following a 7-4 campaign in 2017 where they posted a 6-2 mark in Big Sky play to finish in a tie for third in the league standings. Senior All-American quarterback Gabe Gubrud returns for the Eagles after ranking second in the nation in total offense per game (357.8 yards) a season ago.
Idaho came in fourth in the coaches poll with 101 points and one first-place vote as the Vandals return to the FCS level and the Big Sky for the first time since 1995. The Vandals garnered three first-place votes for fifth in the media poll. Idaho brings back 11 starters and three All-Sun Belt performers from 2018.
BIG SKY FOOTBALL
PRESEASON POLLS
COACHES
1, Eastern Washington, 134 total points, (6 first-place votes). 2, Weber State, 124 (3). 3, Northern Arizona 121 (3). 4, Idaho 101 (1). 5, Sacramento State, 94. 6, Southern Utah, 91. 7, Montana, 82. 8, Montana State, 76 . 9, UC Davis, 64. 10, Cal Poly, 40. 11, Northern Colorado, 30. 12, Idaho State, 29. 13, Portland State, 21
MEDIA
1, Eastern Washington, 651 points, (27 first-place votes). 2, Weber State, 636 (19). 3, Northern Arizona, 535 (1). 4, Montana, 496 (2). 5, Idaho, 483 (3). 6, Southern Utah, 449 (1). 7, Sacramento State, 415. 8, Montana State, 391 (1). 9, UC Davis, 331 (1). 10, Idaho State, 170. 11, Cal Poly, 169. 12, Northern Colorado, 166. 13, Portland State, 103.
Three Vandals named to Big Sky preseason all-conference team
SPOKANE — Senior linebacker Kaden Elliss, junior offensive lineman Noah Johnson and sophomore punter Cade Coffey (Lakeland High) were named to the Big Sky football preseason all-conference team announced Monday, as chosen by media representatives.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Keelan Doss, WR, UC Davis
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Josh Buss, LB, Montana
OFFENSE
Quarterback – Gage Gubrud, Sr., Eastern Washington
Running Back – James Madison, Sr., Idaho State
Running Back – Antoine Custer, Jr., Eastern Washington
Wide Receiver – Keelan Doss, Sr., UC Davis
Wide Receiver – Emmanuel Butler, Sr., Northern Arizona
Wide Receiver – Andre Lindsey, Sr., Sacramento State
Wide Receiver – Alex Wesley, Sr., Northern Colorado
Fullback – Joe Protheroe, Sr., Cal Poly
Tight End – Charlie Taumoepeau, Jr., Portland State
Tight End – Wes Preece, Jr., UC Davis
Offensive Tackle – Iosua Opeta, Sr., Weber State
Offensive Tackle – Marquez Tucker, Sr., Southern Utah
Offensive Guard – Noah Johnson, Jr., Idaho
Offensive Guard – PJ Nu’usa, Jr., Southern Utah
Center – Zach Larsen, Jr., Southern Utah
Placekicker – Trey Tuttle, So., Weber State
Return Specialist – Rashid Shaheed, So., Weber State
DEFENSE
Defensive End – George Obinna, Sr., Sacramento State
Defensive End – Jonah Williams Jr., Weber State
Defensive Tackle – Jay-Tee Tiuli, Sr., Eastern Washington
Defensive Tackle – Tucker Yates, Sr., Montana State
Outside Linebacker – Josh Buss, Sr., Montana
Outside Linebacker – Kaden Ellis, Sr., Idaho
Inside Linebacker – LeGrand Toia, Sr., Weber State
Inside Linebacker – Chinedu Ahanonu, Sr., Southern Utah
Cornerback – Khalil Dorsey, Jr., Northern Arizona
Cornerback – Jalen Russell, So., Southern Utah
Safety – Wes Sutton, Sr., Northern Arizona
Safety – Mister Harriel, Sr., Sacramento State
Punter – Cade Coffey, So., Idaho
Special Teams – Brady May, Sr., Weber State