Hill named Big Sky Player of the Week in his first career start

After leading the charge in a Montana season-opener shut-out, Grizzly junior linebacker Braxton Hill has been named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.

Making his first career start in maroon and silver, Hill, from Anaconda, was one of Montana's main catalysts on defense, racking up a career-high 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and getting in on a half sack.

Hill was one of many shining stars on a Grizzly defense that dominated Northwestern State on Saturday. The unit held the Demons to just 19 rushing yards and 212 yards of total offense while allowing the visitors to cross into Montana territory just three times.

Montana's rushing defense picked up where it left off last season, putting in the best performance in the Big Sky against D-I opponents on week one, leading to one of just seven shut-out victories in the FCS on Saturday.

Hill made his debut as a starter Saturday after making 22 appearances in his first two seasons. In his last game at James Madison, he logged his previous career-high with eight tackles and a sack.

He also received an honorable mention for the FedEx Ground FCS National Defensive Player of the Week.

SATURDAY'S OTHER STARS

On offense, Montana nominated another first-time starter for player of the week in quarterback Lucas Johnson.

In his Grizzly debut, the senior was a true dual threat, completing 15 of 24 passes for 208 yards and four touchdowns. He also led Montana in rushing with 7 carries for 76 yards, averaging nearly 11 yards per carry.

His 284 yards of total offense on 31 plays were also the second-most for a winning QB in the Big Sky this week and were the most average yards per play among Big Sky QBs.

On special teams, junior linebacker Levi Janacaro was threatening all day and finally broke through in the second quarter to block a Northwestern State punt that was then scooped up by his high school teammate Tyler Flink and returned for a Montana special teams touchdown.

Janacaro was a menace on both special teams and defense, totaling 6 tackles, one TFL, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup in addition to his block.

BIG SKY HONOREES The league's Offensive Player of the Week honors went to another debutant in Eastern Washington QB Gunner Talkington, who threw for 348 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Tennessee State.

Special teams honors went to Sacramento State sophomore running back Cameron Skattebo, who logged a rushing, receiving, and a kick return touchdown in the Hornet's win over Utah Tech.

Montana returns to action at home this Saturday, hosting South Dakota out of the Missouri Valley Conference at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available now at GrizTix.com.

University of Montana Athletics

Hill named Big Sky Player of the Week in his first career start

Related News

Players Mentioned

Tyler Flink

Braxton Hill

Levi Janacaro

Lucas Johnson

Related Videos