Photo by: Garrett Becker
Bobcat Backfield Joins Two Defensive Stars and Two Specialists on Preseason All-Big Sky Squad
7/25/2022 8:40:00 AM | Football
Seven Montana State players were lauded by the Big Sky on Monday
SPOKANE, Washington –Montana State's backfield is well-represented on the Preseason All-Big Sky team, the league announced Monday.
Sophomore quarterback Tommy Mellott, senior running back Isaiah Ifanse and senior fullback RJ Fitzgerald each landed on the league's preseason team, along with four Bobcat teammates. Two defensive standouts, sophomore defensive end Brody Grebe and senior linebacker Callahan O'Reilly, along with punter Bryce Leighton and long snapper Tommy Sullivan, also earned mention.
Mellott became the first Bobcat quarterback to make his starting debut in the post-season, leading the Cats to three straight playoff wins and a berth in the FCS National Championship game. He scored 11 touchdowns during his freshman season, rushing for 716 yards and throwing for 484. Ifanse enters his senior season second in school history with 3,461 career rushing yards, and most of those came behind Fitzgerald, the primary Bobcat blocking back since 2017.
Inside linebacker Callahan O'Reilly earned 2nd Team All-Big Sky honors last year logging 105 tackles as a junior, and returns as a preseason all-league choice. Sophomore defensive end Brody Grebe logged 5.5 sacks in 2021, with two other tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Long snapper Tommy Sullivan, who was nearly perfect in 2021, and punter Bryce Leighton and his 40.5 yards-per-punt average return as sophomore preseason All-Big Sky selections, as well.
QB – Tommy Mellott (Montana State)
RB – Isaiah Ifanse (Montana State), Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. (UC Davis)
FB – RJ Fitzgerald (Montana State)
TE – Marshel Martin (Sacramento State)
WR – Beau Kelly (Portland State), Efton Chism III (EWU), Pierre Williams (Sacramento State)
C – Connor Pettek (UC Davis)
OG – Jake Parks (UC Davis), Brandon Weldon (Sacramento State)
OT – Noah Atagi (Weber State), Jonas Leader (NAU)
K – Kyle Sentkowski (Sacramento State)
RS – Malik Flowers (Montana)
AP – Asher O'Hara (Sacramento State)
DT – Alex Gubner (Montana), Joshua Jerome (EWU)
DE – VJ Malo (Portland State), Brody Grebe (Montana State)
OLB – Patrick O'Connell (Montana), David Hoage (UNC)
ILB – Callahan O'Reilly (Montana State), Fa'Avae Fa'Avae (Idaho)
CB – Justin Ford (Montana), Anthony Adams (Portland State)
S – Robby Hauck (Montana), Morgan Vest (NAU)
P – Bryce Leighton (Montana State)
LS – Tommy Sullivan (Montana State)
Offensive MVP – Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. (UC Davis)
Defensive MVP - Patrick O'Connell (Montana),
Sophomore quarterback Tommy Mellott, senior running back Isaiah Ifanse and senior fullback RJ Fitzgerald each landed on the league's preseason team, along with four Bobcat teammates. Two defensive standouts, sophomore defensive end Brody Grebe and senior linebacker Callahan O'Reilly, along with punter Bryce Leighton and long snapper Tommy Sullivan, also earned mention.
Mellott became the first Bobcat quarterback to make his starting debut in the post-season, leading the Cats to three straight playoff wins and a berth in the FCS National Championship game. He scored 11 touchdowns during his freshman season, rushing for 716 yards and throwing for 484. Ifanse enters his senior season second in school history with 3,461 career rushing yards, and most of those came behind Fitzgerald, the primary Bobcat blocking back since 2017.
Inside linebacker Callahan O'Reilly earned 2nd Team All-Big Sky honors last year logging 105 tackles as a junior, and returns as a preseason all-league choice. Sophomore defensive end Brody Grebe logged 5.5 sacks in 2021, with two other tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Long snapper Tommy Sullivan, who was nearly perfect in 2021, and punter Bryce Leighton and his 40.5 yards-per-punt average return as sophomore preseason All-Big Sky selections, as well.
QB – Tommy Mellott (Montana State)
RB – Isaiah Ifanse (Montana State), Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. (UC Davis)
FB – RJ Fitzgerald (Montana State)
TE – Marshel Martin (Sacramento State)
WR – Beau Kelly (Portland State), Efton Chism III (EWU), Pierre Williams (Sacramento State)
C – Connor Pettek (UC Davis)
OG – Jake Parks (UC Davis), Brandon Weldon (Sacramento State)
OT – Noah Atagi (Weber State), Jonas Leader (NAU)
K – Kyle Sentkowski (Sacramento State)
RS – Malik Flowers (Montana)
AP – Asher O'Hara (Sacramento State)
DT – Alex Gubner (Montana), Joshua Jerome (EWU)
DE – VJ Malo (Portland State), Brody Grebe (Montana State)
OLB – Patrick O'Connell (Montana), David Hoage (UNC)
ILB – Callahan O'Reilly (Montana State), Fa'Avae Fa'Avae (Idaho)
CB – Justin Ford (Montana), Anthony Adams (Portland State)
S – Robby Hauck (Montana), Morgan Vest (NAU)
P – Bryce Leighton (Montana State)
LS – Tommy Sullivan (Montana State)
Offensive MVP – Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. (UC Davis)
Defensive MVP - Patrick O'Connell (Montana),
Players Mentioned
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