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Montana Grizzlies, Montana State Bobcats well-represented on HERO Sports preseason all-Big Sky team

Samuel Akem
Montana State at North Dakota State
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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
QBEric Barriere (Sr.)EWU
RBJosh Davis (Jr.)Weber St.
RBIsaiah Ifanse (Jr.)Montana St.
FBClay Moss (Sr.)Weber St.
WRSamori Toure (Sr.)Montana
WRPierre Williams (Jr.)Sac St.
WRSamuel Akem (Sr.)Montana
TEMarshel Martin (So.)Sac St.
APElijah Dotson (Sr.)Sac St.
OLTy Whitworth (Sr.)Weber St.
OLLewis Kidd (Sr.)Montana St.
OLTaylor Tuiasosopo (Sr.)Montana St.
OLConlan Beaver (Sr.)Montana
OLTristen Taylor (Sr.)EWU
PKLuis Aguilar (Sr.)NAU
RSMalik Flowers (Jr.)Montana

DEFENSE
POS.NAME (YR.)SCHOOL
DLAmandre Williams (Sr.)Montana St.
DLJared Schiess (Sr.)Weber St.
DLGeorge Tarlas (Jr.)Weber St.
DLChase Benson (Sr.)Montana St.
LBJace Lewis (Sr.)Montana
LBChris Ojoh (Jr.)EWU
LBChristian Elliss (Sr.)Idaho
LBTre Walker (Jr.)Idaho
DBRobby Hauck (Jr.)Montana
DBAnthony Adams (Jr.)Portland St.
DBDaron Bland (Sr.)Sac St.
DBDevon King (Jr.)UC Davis
PDJ Arnson (Sr.)NAU