Six Montana Grizzlies and five Montana State Bobcats were selected for HERO Sports' preseason all-Big Sky Conference team, as compiled by FCS reporter Sam Herder and published Wednesday.
UM's six selections were the most of any team in the league, with receivers Samori Toure and Samuel Akem leading the way. The Grizzlies also had offensive lineman Conlan Beaver, returner Malik Flowers, linebacker Jace Lewis and safety Robby Hauck recognized.
Toure and Akem make up one of the best receiving tandems in all of FCS football. The duo combined for 2,343 yards in 2019 and has totaled 40 career touchdown catches. Montana is scheduled to open the 2020 season on Sept. 5 at home against Central Washington.
MSU's five selections were tied with Weber State for second-most in the conference. Running back Isaiah Ifanse, offensive linemen Lewis Kidd and Taylor Tuiasosopo, and defensive linemen Amandre Williams and Chase Benson were recognized.
Kidd and Tuiasosopo lead an offensive line that figures to return four starters from last year's group that paved the way for 3,871 rushing yards and 44 touchdowns. Ifanse totaled 813 yards and six touchdowns last season. MSU is slated to kick off its 2020 season against Long Island at Bobcat Stadium on Sept. 5.
Herder's complete preseason all-Big Sky team can be found below or clicking here.
| OFFENSE | ||
| POS. | NAME (YR.) | SCHOOL |
| QB | Eric Barriere (Sr.) | EWU |
| RB | Josh Davis (Jr.) | Weber St. |
| RB | Isaiah Ifanse (Jr.) | Montana St. |
| FB | Clay Moss (Sr.) | Weber St. |
| WR | Samori Toure (Sr.) | Montana |
| WR | Pierre Williams (Jr.) | Sac St. |
| WR | Samuel Akem (Sr.) | Montana |
| TE | Marshel Martin (So.) | Sac St. |
| AP | Elijah Dotson (Sr.) | Sac St. |
| OL | Ty Whitworth (Sr.) | Weber St. |
| OL | Lewis Kidd (Sr.) | Montana St. |
| OL | Taylor Tuiasosopo (Sr.) | Montana St. |
| OL | Conlan Beaver (Sr.) | Montana |
| OL | Tristen Taylor (Sr.) | EWU |
| PK | Luis Aguilar (Sr.) | NAU |
| RS | Malik Flowers (Jr.) | Montana |
| DEFENSE | ||
| POS. | NAME (YR.) | SCHOOL |
| DL | Amandre Williams (Sr.) | Montana St. |
| DL | Jared Schiess (Sr.) | Weber St. |
| DL | George Tarlas (Jr.) | Weber St. |
| DL | Chase Benson (Sr.) | Montana St. |
| LB | Jace Lewis (Sr.) | Montana |
| LB | Chris Ojoh (Jr.) | EWU |
| LB | Christian Elliss (Sr.) | Idaho |
| LB | Tre Walker (Jr.) | Idaho |
| DB | Robby Hauck (Jr.) | Montana |
| DB | Anthony Adams (Jr.) | Portland St. |
| DB | Daron Bland (Sr.) | Sac St. |
| DB | Devon King (Jr.) | UC Davis |
| P | DJ Arnson (Sr.) | NAU |
