Ten Griz earn All-Big Sky accolades

11/22/2016 12:29:00 PM | Football

By: Montana Sports Information

COMPLETE ALL-BIG SKY TEAM

The University of Montana Grizzlies placed a total of 10 players on All-Big Sky Conference teams, with six named to the second or third teams the league announced on Tuesday.

Montana's defensive unit, which finished the season as the third-best total defense in the Big Sky, led UM's honorees with four players named to second or third team all-conference selections.

The Big Sky's preseason pick for Defensive Player of the Year, Caleb Kidder, was named to the all-conference second team after posting the sixth-most sacks in the league this season (5.5) and the fifth-most tackles for loss (11), despite battling sickness and injury.

Kidder's career total of 29.5 tackles-for-loss ties him at No. 11 on UM's all-time career TFL list with current Seattle Seahawk Jordan Tripp. Kidder's numbers are even more impressive considering he underwent a primary position change in 2016 from defensive tackle to defensive end and missed his entire junior season with an injury in 2014.

Kidder's counterpart at defensive end Ryan Johnson earned recognition for an outstanding senior campaign with a place on the All-Big Sky third team. Johnson posted the third-most sacks in the Big Sky this season (6) and the fourth-most tackles-for-loss with 13. He shattered his career high for tackles in his swan song against Montana State with 15, more than double his previous career high of 7, earning player of the game honors.

Outside linebacker Josh Buss, the Steve Carlson Award winner for the Grizzlies' Defensive MVP, earned a place on the All-Big Sky third team after leading the league in TFLs by a large margin with 20. Those 20 TFLs ties him at No. 10 in all of FCS football, the only sophomore in the national top-10.

Buss also posted the fourth-most sacks in the Big Sky this season with 5.5, just a half-sack behind UM's leader Ryan Johnson.

Inside linebacker Connor Strahm earned a place on the All-Big Sky third team after forcing a league-best three fumbles, returning an interception for a touchdown and posting 4.5 sacks on the season.

Strahm, a junior, earns a third-team all-conference award for the second-straight year after being named to the list last season on special teams.

On offense, Montana's O-line – one of the most improved units in the 2016 season under coach Chad Germer's watchful eye – was aptly rewarded, with junior tackle David Reese earning a place on the All-Big Sky second team.

Senior tackle Jackson Thiebes earned a place on the all-conference third team to accompany the Paul Weskamp Award he received at UM's annual awards banquet for the team's most outstanding offensive lineman.

Senior guard and three-year starter Devon Dietrich was given an honorable mention nod. He was the only offensive line player to receive a preseason award by the league after earning an honorable mention in 2015 as well.

Also receiving honorable mentions from the Big Sky were wide receiver Jerry Louie-McGee, who is also a finalist for national freshman of the year, senior quarterback Brady Gustafson and junior safety Justin Strong.

Montana is expected to return five of its 10 total all-conference performers next season.

Montana award winners by position:

Wide Receiver:
Hon. Mention: Jerry Louie-McGee (R-Fr.)

Offensive Tackle:
2^nd team: David Reese (R-Jr.)
3^rd team: Jackson Thiebes (R-Sr.)

Offensive Guard:
Hon. Mention: Devon Dietrich (R-Sr.)

Quarterback:
Hon. Mention: Brady Gustafson (R-Sr.)

Defensive End:
2^nd team: Caleb Kidder (R-Sr.)
3^rd team: Ryan Johnson (R-Sr.)

Outside Linebacker:
3^rd team: Josh Buss (R-So.)

Inside Linebacker:
3^rd team: Connor Strahm (R-Jr.)

Safety:
Hon. Mention: Justin Strong (Jr.)