BOBCATS BY THE NUMBERS: Josh Hill Reminds us that 58 Remain Until the 2018 Season Opener!
7/3/2018 12:50:00 PM | Football
Jason Hicks was a record-setting defensive end who wore #58 in the early '90s
July 3: Bobcats by the Numbers takes a look at current and past Bobcats whose jersey numbers correspond to the number of days remaining before Montana State opens the 2018 football season against Western Illinois in Bobcat Stadium's annual Gold Rush game on August 30.
#58
Josh Hill, LB: Josh Hill's starring role in the middle of Montana State's defense the past two seasons can be seen in a number of different ways. It could be called a market inefficiency, in other words an excellent player who was under-recruited because of his size. It can also be seen as the extension of a productive decade-long trend, with Jody Owens, Na'a Moeakiola and Aleksei Grosulak all thriving as undersized Bobcat linebackers in the last 10 years or so. Hill joins Grosulak, Jeff Price and Bobby Daly as in-state linebackers who starred for the Cats after arriving as walk-ons for no good reason other than a vertically-stretched tape measure. Hill begins his junior season as a third-year starter known for his tenacity and aggression. He's finished fourth on the team in tackles the past two seasons, but has been at his best in the most important games – he was named Big Sky Player of the Week for his eight-tackle effort at Montana to close the 2016 season, and last year registered six tackles with a couple of pass breakups in MSU's win against the Grizzlies. Hill's exact role in the Bobcat defense will be pinned down in fall camp, but he is expected to be among the premiere linebackers in the FCS as a junior this fall.
Spotlight: In the long line of tremendous defensive players Montana State produced in the 1990s, one of the best was Jason Hicks, an undersized and athletic defensive whose lightning quickness confounded Big Sky defenses during the early '90s. Hicks' 14 sacks in 1993 remains the fourth-highest total in school history, and his 29 career sacks is tied for fourth. Presumably Hicks made good use of his down time when battling injuries, as he is presently a Bozeman architect. He is married to former MSU track and field star Angelette Cormier Hicks.
Chronology: Todd Vasey (1982-83), Tom Jacobs (1984), Joel Long (1985-89), Jason Stene (1990), Mike Kenny (1991), Jason Hicks (1992-95),Nate O'Brien (1996), Brian Lutz (1998-99), Ray Sebestyen (2000-04), Ryan Cerise (2005-09), Rhett Young (2010-14), Josh Hill (2015-)
Bonus Note for #58: The youthful football player stood with the gentleman in a military uniform. The older man did all of the talking. Mike Kramer walked by and offered to a bystander, "Kid wants to go home. Dad won't let him." It turned out to be a fantastic decision both for Ray Sebestyen and for the Bobcats. Sebestyen became an outstanding defensive lineman for the Bobcats, moving from end to tackle in the middle of his career and flourishing on the inside. Sebestyen was a two-time First Team All-Big Sky selection, 2003 and '04.
#58
Josh Hill, LB: Josh Hill's starring role in the middle of Montana State's defense the past two seasons can be seen in a number of different ways. It could be called a market inefficiency, in other words an excellent player who was under-recruited because of his size. It can also be seen as the extension of a productive decade-long trend, with Jody Owens, Na'a Moeakiola and Aleksei Grosulak all thriving as undersized Bobcat linebackers in the last 10 years or so. Hill joins Grosulak, Jeff Price and Bobby Daly as in-state linebackers who starred for the Cats after arriving as walk-ons for no good reason other than a vertically-stretched tape measure. Hill begins his junior season as a third-year starter known for his tenacity and aggression. He's finished fourth on the team in tackles the past two seasons, but has been at his best in the most important games – he was named Big Sky Player of the Week for his eight-tackle effort at Montana to close the 2016 season, and last year registered six tackles with a couple of pass breakups in MSU's win against the Grizzlies. Hill's exact role in the Bobcat defense will be pinned down in fall camp, but he is expected to be among the premiere linebackers in the FCS as a junior this fall.
Spotlight: In the long line of tremendous defensive players Montana State produced in the 1990s, one of the best was Jason Hicks, an undersized and athletic defensive whose lightning quickness confounded Big Sky defenses during the early '90s. Hicks' 14 sacks in 1993 remains the fourth-highest total in school history, and his 29 career sacks is tied for fourth. Presumably Hicks made good use of his down time when battling injuries, as he is presently a Bozeman architect. He is married to former MSU track and field star Angelette Cormier Hicks.
Chronology: Todd Vasey (1982-83), Tom Jacobs (1984), Joel Long (1985-89), Jason Stene (1990), Mike Kenny (1991), Jason Hicks (1992-95),Nate O'Brien (1996), Brian Lutz (1998-99), Ray Sebestyen (2000-04), Ryan Cerise (2005-09), Rhett Young (2010-14), Josh Hill (2015-)
Bonus Note for #58: The youthful football player stood with the gentleman in a military uniform. The older man did all of the talking. Mike Kramer walked by and offered to a bystander, "Kid wants to go home. Dad won't let him." It turned out to be a fantastic decision both for Ray Sebestyen and for the Bobcats. Sebestyen became an outstanding defensive lineman for the Bobcats, moving from end to tackle in the middle of his career and flourishing on the inside. Sebestyen was a two-time First Team All-Big Sky selection, 2003 and '04.
Leon Costello Press Conference: Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center
Thursday, July 31
A Conversation with President Dr. Waded Cruzado | Montana State Athletics
Monday, May 19
Big Cats, Little Trucks - Willie Patterson
Wednesday, May 03
Matt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, May 03
