Mitch Brott opens a hole for Troy Andersen
Four Bobcats Land HERO Sports All-America Honors
12/16/2019 6:00:00 PM | Football
Troy Andersen, Mitch Brott, Brayden Konkol and Bryce Sterk named All-Americas
BOZEMAN, Montana – Montana State kicked off All-America season in style Monday, when four Bobcats landed on the HERO Sports FCS All-America team.
Junior Troy Andersen was named First Team Athlete, while offensive tackle Mitch Brott, defensive end Bryce Sterk, and safety Brayden Konkol each landed on the second team. Four is the highest total of All-Americas by a Bobcat team since the 2012 team produced the same number, and MSU's previous three teams combined for just two All-Americas. The Bobcats prepare for Saturday's FCS Playoff Semifinal showdown with North Dakota State at Fargo.
Three weeks after becoming the first player in Big Sky history to earn First Team All-Big Sky honors on both offense (2018, quarterback) and defense (2019, linebacker), Andersen reeled in All-America honors for the second straight season. The junior from Dillon, Montana, played in 10 games this season, missing four with injuries, but during his time on the field was as impactful as any player in college football. Andersen registered 54 tackles as a linebacker, with 11.5 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks. He also intercepted a pass, broke up five others, and hurried the quarterback twice. On offense, Andersen rushed for 33 yards on 49 carries, with seven touchdowns.
A senior from Billings, Brott has the opportunity to make Bobcat history on Saturday. By trotting onto the field for MSU's first offensive snap Brott will break the Bobcat record for games started and consecutive starts with 50, a record he currently shares for All-America tackle John Weidenaar. Brott has started every game in his Bobcat career, anchoring an offensive line from his left tackle spot that is among the nation's top 10 team in rushing yards and fewest sacks allowed. Brott is the 10th different Bobcat to earn All-America honors in the past 17 years, and the second to do so under the current offensive line coach Brian Armstrong. He has led the way for 41 100-yard rushing games in his career.
Konkol, a senior from Belgrade, grew up in Bobcat Stadium dreaming of playing for his hometown team. He earned First Team All-Big Sky honors this year, and has rolled up 57 tackles, tied for third on the team, with three interceptions, tied for the team lead. All three of Konkol's interceptions have come in the last four games, including picks in the Cat-Griz game and in last week's playoff win against Austin Peay.
Sterk, a senior from Lynden, Washington, evolved into one of the dominant defensive forces in FCS football this season. He has piled up 15 sacks, fifth in the FCS, with 20 total tackles-for-loss, 30th nationally. His sack total this season is the fifth-highest in Bobcat history, while his tackles-for-loss mark checks in at sixth. He has anchored a Bobcat defense that is ninth nationally against the run, and 19th in points allowed per game.
Monday's HERO Sports All-America team kicks off a week of such lists being released. The Associated Press is scheduled to release its FCS All-America team on Tuesday, along with HERO's freshman and sophomore squads, while the FCS Athletic Directors Association team is scheduled for a Wednesday release and the STATS FCS All-America team on Thursday. The American Football Coaches Association is scheduled to be released on Friday.
#GoCatsGo
Junior Troy Andersen was named First Team Athlete, while offensive tackle Mitch Brott, defensive end Bryce Sterk, and safety Brayden Konkol each landed on the second team. Four is the highest total of All-Americas by a Bobcat team since the 2012 team produced the same number, and MSU's previous three teams combined for just two All-Americas. The Bobcats prepare for Saturday's FCS Playoff Semifinal showdown with North Dakota State at Fargo.
Three weeks after becoming the first player in Big Sky history to earn First Team All-Big Sky honors on both offense (2018, quarterback) and defense (2019, linebacker), Andersen reeled in All-America honors for the second straight season. The junior from Dillon, Montana, played in 10 games this season, missing four with injuries, but during his time on the field was as impactful as any player in college football. Andersen registered 54 tackles as a linebacker, with 11.5 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks. He also intercepted a pass, broke up five others, and hurried the quarterback twice. On offense, Andersen rushed for 33 yards on 49 carries, with seven touchdowns.
A senior from Billings, Brott has the opportunity to make Bobcat history on Saturday. By trotting onto the field for MSU's first offensive snap Brott will break the Bobcat record for games started and consecutive starts with 50, a record he currently shares for All-America tackle John Weidenaar. Brott has started every game in his Bobcat career, anchoring an offensive line from his left tackle spot that is among the nation's top 10 team in rushing yards and fewest sacks allowed. Brott is the 10th different Bobcat to earn All-America honors in the past 17 years, and the second to do so under the current offensive line coach Brian Armstrong. He has led the way for 41 100-yard rushing games in his career.
Konkol, a senior from Belgrade, grew up in Bobcat Stadium dreaming of playing for his hometown team. He earned First Team All-Big Sky honors this year, and has rolled up 57 tackles, tied for third on the team, with three interceptions, tied for the team lead. All three of Konkol's interceptions have come in the last four games, including picks in the Cat-Griz game and in last week's playoff win against Austin Peay.
Sterk, a senior from Lynden, Washington, evolved into one of the dominant defensive forces in FCS football this season. He has piled up 15 sacks, fifth in the FCS, with 20 total tackles-for-loss, 30th nationally. His sack total this season is the fifth-highest in Bobcat history, while his tackles-for-loss mark checks in at sixth. He has anchored a Bobcat defense that is ninth nationally against the run, and 19th in points allowed per game.
Monday's HERO Sports All-America team kicks off a week of such lists being released. The Associated Press is scheduled to release its FCS All-America team on Tuesday, along with HERO's freshman and sophomore squads, while the FCS Athletic Directors Association team is scheduled for a Wednesday release and the STATS FCS All-America team on Thursday. The American Football Coaches Association is scheduled to be released on Friday.
#GoCatsGo
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