BOBCATS BY THE NUMBERS: It's Josh Hill Days Until Kickoff!
7/4/2019 3:00:00 PM | Football
Montana State's most experienced linebacker has been remarkably productive throughout his career
July 4: In addition to a quick look at players wearing the jersey number corresponding to the number of days remaining until Montana State's season opener at Texas Tech on August 31, Bobcats by the Numbers brings you another tidbit or two aligning with that number.
#58
Josh Hill, LB: When Josh Hill's time at Montana State is at its end he'll be remembered as the rare combination of star and star-crossed. He's faced adversity, made brilliant plays, overcome adversity, returned from a season on the shelf to intercept a pass against the best team in the FCS, and earned Big Sky Player of the Week honors for his performance against Montana State's ancient rivals in Missoula. He was the team's top defensive scout as a redshirt in 2015, and for years flaunted a head of hair that is the envy of every middle-aged man. Hill's ability to stay healthy for his senior season would inject a huge dose of playmaking into the middle of what's poised to be a talented, productive Bobcat defense. Hill plays football with an intensity and abandon often seen in undersized Treasure State products, and he is, in short, a joy to watch.
58 – League games played by MSU vs. Idaho and Boise State with all three as Big Sky members.
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-)
Other Notes 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… 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.
