BIG SKY FOOTBALL KICKOFF: EWU picked to finish third, Vandals eighth
SPOKANE — The Big Sky football coaches and media both picked Eastern Washington to finish third in the 13-team league this fall, and Idaho to finish eighth.
Weber State, which won the league title last spring, was picked to win the conference by the coaches and media.
COACHES POLL
(First-place votes in parentheses)
- Weber State (7)
- Montana (2)
- Eastern Washington (2)
- Montana State (1)
- Sacramento State (1)
- UC Davis
- Northern Arizona
- Idaho
- Idaho State
- Portland State
- Southern Utah
- Cal Poly
- Northern Colorado
MEDIA POLL
- Weber State (14)
- Montana (4)
- Eastern Washington (3)
- Montana State (3)
- Sacramento State
- UC Davis
- Northern Arizona
- Idaho
- Idaho State
- Portland State
- Southern Utah
- Northern Colorado
- Cal Poly
Preseason all-conference team
SPOKANE — Linebacker Tre Walker and fullback Logan Kendall of Idaho were named to the Big Sky Conference football Preseason All-Conference Team on Monday.
Eastern Washington's selections were quarterback Eric Barriere, wide receiver Talolo Limu-Jones, tackle Tristen Taylor and defensive end Mitchell Johnson.
Quarterbacks
Eric Barriere – Eastern Washington
Running Backs
Elijah Dotson – Sac State
Josh Davis – Weber State
Fullbacks
Logan Kendall – Idaho
Wide Receivers
Samuel Akem – Montana
Talolo Limu-Jones – Eastern Washington
Tanner Conner – Idaho State
Tight Ends
Marshel Martin – Sac State
Tackles
Tristen Taylor – Eastern Washington
Conlan Beaver – Montana
Guards
Ty Whitworth – Weber State
Taylor Tuiasosopo – Montana State
Centers
Connor Pettek – UC Davis
Placekicker
Luis Aguilar – Northern Arizona
Return Specialist
Rashid Shaheed – Weber State
Defensive Tackles
Jared Schiess – Weber State
Bryce Rodgers – UC Davis
Defensive Ends
Mitchell Johnson – Eastern Washington
George Tarlas – Weber State
Outside Linebackers
La’akea Kaho’ohanohano-Davis – Southern Utah
Troy Andersen – Montana State/Conner Mortensen – Weber State (tie)
Middle Linebackers
Tre Walker – Idaho
Jace Lewis – Montana
Cornerbacks
Anthony Adams – Portland State
Eddie Heckard – Weber State
Safeties
Morgan Vest – Northern Arizona
Robby Hauck – Montana
Punter
Daniel Whelan – UC Davis
Longsnapper
Matthew O’Donoghue - Montana
Two on the 'U': As part of the Big Sky's new media rights deal with ESPN, two football games this fall are scheduled for prime time on ESPNU.
Those games are Montana at Eastern Washington on Oct. 2, and Montana State at Weber State on Oct. 15. The MSU-Weber State game was moved from its original date to Friday, Oct. 15, to accommodate that selection.
Kickoff times for the pair of ESPNU contests will be announced at a later date.
Still something to Root about: Root Sports announced four football games to be featured on its network this season.
All game dates are subject to change and times for the ROOT Sports games will be announced at a later date.
Root Sports games are:
Oct. 9 — Cal Poly at Montana State
Oct. 16 — Idaho at Eastern Washington
Oct. 30 — Southern Utah at Montana
Nov. 20 — Montana State at Montana