MISSOULA — Former Sandpoint offensive lineman, Brandon Casey was one of 17 Montana Grizzlies who received Big Sky conference honors for their efforts on the field this season.

"It wasn't something I was initially thinking about too much, but it's nice to be recognized and know that my hard work is paying off," Casey said.

Casey was also named the team's offensive player of the game after Montana’s 34-7 win over No. 7 Sacramento State on Nov. 4.

When asked about how it feels to have won the Big Sky football title with Montana, Casey said it felt great.

"I have been here for four years, and ever since I got here that has always been the goal ... I have received tons of support from the Sandpoint community with lots of friends and family reaching out to me. I am thankful for my family and all of their support and for the guys I get to play with every Saturday. It would not be the same without all of the support."

Overall, Montana finished the regular season 10-1 and will face the winner of Delaware/Lafayette on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium at 6:00 p.m. (PST) in round two of the Division I FCS football playoffs.

ALL-BIG SKY FOOTBALL

* - Unanimous Selection

2023 Individual Award Winners

Offensive Player of the Year: Lan Larison, RB, UC Davis

Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Gubner, DL, Montana

Newcomer of the Year: Clifton McDowell, QB, Montana

Freshman of the Year: Eli Gillman, RB, Montana

Coach of the Year: Bobby Hauck, Montana*

First Team All-Conference Offense

QB: Gevani McCoy, Idaho

RB: Lan Larison, UC Davis; Anthony Woods, Idaho

FB: Derryk Snell, Montana State

WR: Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington*; Hayden Hatten, Idaho*; Chedon James, Idaho State; WR: Junior Bergen, Montana

TE: Marshel Martin, Sacramento State; Treyton Pickering, Montana State

OL: Noah Atagi, Weber State*; Marcus Wehr, Montana State; Rush Reimer, Montana State; Brandon Casey, Montana; Jordan Ford, UC Davis; Jackson Slater, Sacramento State

AP: Sean Chambers, Montana State

First Team All-Conference Defense

DL: Alex Gubner, Montana*; DL: Brody Grebe, Montana State; Elijah Ponder, Cal Poly; Zach Kennedy, UC Davis; Eloi Kwete, Northern Arizona

LB: Braxton Hill, Montana; Winston Reid, Weber State; Armon Bailey, Sacramento State; Nolan Askelson, Montana State; Jack Kelly, Weber State

DB: Marcus Harris, Idaho; Maxwell Anderson, Weber State; Cameron Broussard, Sacramento State; Marlon Jones Jr., Eastern Washington ; Corbin Walker, Montana; Trevin Gradney, Montana

First Team All-Conference Special Teams

K: Ricardo Chavez, Idaho 

P: Brendan Hall, Montana State

KR: Abraham Williams, Weber State

PR: Junior Bergen, Montana

ST: Garrett Graves, Montana

Second Team All-Conference Offense

QB: Tommy Mellott, Montana State

RB: Eli Gillman, Montana; Julius Davis, Montana State

FB: Andrew VanBuren, Portland State

WR: Jermaine Jackson, Idaho; Coleman Owen, Northern Arizona; Jared Gipson, Sacramento State

TE: Hayden Meacham, Weber State; Blake Gobel, Eastern Washington 

OL: Jonny Bottorff, Northern Arizona; Shiloh Ta’ase, Portland State; Garrett Weichman, Cal Poly; Jordan Lutui, Weber State; Omar Aigbedlion, Montana State; AJ Forbes, Montana 

AP: Trent Tompkins, UC Davis

Second Team All-Conference Defense

DL: Jett Stanley, Sacramento State; Sebastian Valdez, Montana State; Brayden Wilson, Weber State; Dino Kahaulelio, Portland State; Chubba Maae, UC Davis

LB: Evan Tattersall, UC Davis; Teddye Buchanan, UC Davis; Levi Janacaro, Montana; Riley Wilson, Montana; Nick Eaton, UC Davis

DB: Rex Connors, UC Davis; Alex McLaughlin, Northern Arizona; Donovan Saunders, Cal Poly; Calvin Pitcher, Idaho State; George Steele, Northern Arizona; Tizell Lewis, Northern Colorado

Second Team All-Conference Special Teams

K: Gianni Smith, Portland State

P: Ricardo Chavez, Idaho

KR: Michael Wortham, Eastern Washington

PR: Jermaine Jackson, Idaho

ST: Sean McCormick, Idaho

Honorable Mention (at least 3 votes)

QB: Kekoa Visperas, Eastern Washington 

RB: Marcus Fulcher, Sacramento State; Devon Starling, Northern Arizona 

WR: Jermaine Braddock, Portland State; Hendrix Johnson, Northern Arizona 

OL: Chris Walker, Montana; Ivan Garza, Sacramento State; Journey Grimsrud, Montana; Nathan Mejia, Sacramento State; Ayden Knapik, Idaho ; Austin Lawrence, Northern Colorado; Justus, Perkins, Montana State; Jake Parks, UC Davis

AP: Quincy Craig, Portland State

DL: Keyshawn James-Newby, Idaho; David Rowe, Idaho State; Marcus Howard, Northern Colorado; Mark Ho Ching, Northern Arizona; Dallas Afalava, Idaho 

LB: Tre Thomas, Idaho; Parker McKenna, Portland State; Xe’ree Alexander, Idaho; Jacob Stanton, Northern Colorado

DB: Tommy McCormick, Idaho; Jehiel Budgett, UC Davis; Rylan Ortt, Montana State; Naseme Colvin, Weber State; Dillon Juniel, Sacramento State

K: Hunter Ridley, UC Davis

P: Cal McGough, Sacramento State; Hunter Green, Northern Colorado; Jack Burgess, Weber State

KR: Jermaine Jackson, Idaho

PR: Haze Hadley, Weber State

ST: Hendrix Johnson, Northern Arizona