JP Flynn earned First Team All-Big Sky honors Monday
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
JP Flynn Named 1st Team All-Big Sky, Chris Murray Freshman of Year
11/22/2016 3:34:00 PM | Football
Eight Cats feted by Big Sky in year-end awards
On Saturday, JP Flynn and Chris Murray and their Montana State teammates reached one milestone by beating Montana 24-17 in Missoula. On Tuesday, each reached another.
Flynn achieved First Team All-Big Sky Conference status for the second time, the league announced, MSU's only first team choice for 2016. Quarterback Chris Murray became the first Bobcat named Big Sky Freshman of the Year.
Flynn earns First Team All-Big Sky honors for the second time, also receiving that distinction in 2014. He becomes the seventh Bobcat offensive lineman to earn first team all-league honors twice, joining MSU legends Alan Ward (1973-74), Jon Borchardt (1977-78), J. Daly (1978-79), Brent Swaggert (2002-03), Jeff Bolton (2004-05) and Mike Person (2009-10).
"JP is one of the most-decorated offensive linemen in this program's recent history," said Bobcat coach Jeff Choate. "He came back from a significant injury at the end of last season to anchor our offensive line, and he provided tremendous leadership. He's a smart kid who will get his engineering degree, and he has a high football IQ."
Murray entered the 2016 season as a true freshman tabbed for a reserve role but rose through the ranks to become Montana State's starting quarterback in game seven. Even coming off the bench he had impacted the Bobcat offense, rushing for 187 yards and three touchdowns against Sacramento State. He surpassed the 100-yard mark four times, his 860 rushing yards set an MSU freshman record, and his 12 rushing touchdowns is tied for seventh in a season in school history. Murray also threw for 778 yards and six touchdowns.
"I was impressed with Chris' poise down the stretch," Choate said. "He grew to understand his role and the importance of valuing the football. He is one of the more explosive players in the conference regardless of class or position. I'm excited about his future here at Montana State, and I'm excited to watch his development."
Three key Bobcats also landed All-Big Sky Second Team honors. Fullback Chad Newell rushed for 703 yards and eight touchdowns in just nine games, earning Second Team All-Big Sky honors at fullback. Originally from Billings, Newell finished his career as one of the school's most productive backs in history. He gained 2,111 yards in his career, and his 29 rushing touchdowns is tied with Don Hass as the second-most ever at Montana State. Junior linebacker Mac Bignell (Drummond) led the league in solo tackles. Junior safety Bryson McCabe finished with 75 tackles, third on the team, while forcing a team-high three fumbles.
Senior Joey Michaels (Cashmere, Washington) earned honorable mention honors on special teams. Defensive tackle Zach Wright (sophomore, New Braunfels, Texas) and cornerback John Walker (grad student, Washington, D.C.) also earned honorable mention honors.
Flynn achieved First Team All-Big Sky Conference status for the second time, the league announced, MSU's only first team choice for 2016. Quarterback Chris Murray became the first Bobcat named Big Sky Freshman of the Year.
Flynn earns First Team All-Big Sky honors for the second time, also receiving that distinction in 2014. He becomes the seventh Bobcat offensive lineman to earn first team all-league honors twice, joining MSU legends Alan Ward (1973-74), Jon Borchardt (1977-78), J. Daly (1978-79), Brent Swaggert (2002-03), Jeff Bolton (2004-05) and Mike Person (2009-10).
"JP is one of the most-decorated offensive linemen in this program's recent history," said Bobcat coach Jeff Choate. "He came back from a significant injury at the end of last season to anchor our offensive line, and he provided tremendous leadership. He's a smart kid who will get his engineering degree, and he has a high football IQ."
Murray entered the 2016 season as a true freshman tabbed for a reserve role but rose through the ranks to become Montana State's starting quarterback in game seven. Even coming off the bench he had impacted the Bobcat offense, rushing for 187 yards and three touchdowns against Sacramento State. He surpassed the 100-yard mark four times, his 860 rushing yards set an MSU freshman record, and his 12 rushing touchdowns is tied for seventh in a season in school history. Murray also threw for 778 yards and six touchdowns.
"I was impressed with Chris' poise down the stretch," Choate said. "He grew to understand his role and the importance of valuing the football. He is one of the more explosive players in the conference regardless of class or position. I'm excited about his future here at Montana State, and I'm excited to watch his development."
Three key Bobcats also landed All-Big Sky Second Team honors. Fullback Chad Newell rushed for 703 yards and eight touchdowns in just nine games, earning Second Team All-Big Sky honors at fullback. Originally from Billings, Newell finished his career as one of the school's most productive backs in history. He gained 2,111 yards in his career, and his 29 rushing touchdowns is tied with Don Hass as the second-most ever at Montana State. Junior linebacker Mac Bignell (Drummond) led the league in solo tackles. Junior safety Bryson McCabe finished with 75 tackles, third on the team, while forcing a team-high three fumbles.
Senior Joey Michaels (Cashmere, Washington) earned honorable mention honors on special teams. Defensive tackle Zach Wright (sophomore, New Braunfels, Texas) and cornerback John Walker (grad student, Washington, D.C.) also earned honorable mention honors.
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