Five Montana Grizzlies, 4 Montana State Bobcats named Hero Sports all-American

Twenty Big Sky Conference football players were named to the Hero Sports all-American teams Monday, with nine of those athletes hailing from the Treasure State.

Five Montana Grizzlies and four Montana State Bobcats collected the recognition.

Montana had a Big Sky-best five athletes earn the honor, with two named first-team all-American. Record-breakers Dante Olson and Samori Toure were each selected first-team all-Americans by the publication. Olson, a linebacker, became the Big Sky's leading tackler in Friday's quarterfinal loss to Weber State, while Toure, a receiver, had the most single-season receiving yards in program history.

Olson finished his career by leading UM and the Big Sky with a record 179 tackles and broke the league record with 397 career stops. Olson had 11 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks this fall, while also recording two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and interception. He is one of three finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, which will be announced Jan. 10 in Frisco, Texas.

Toure, a junior, broke Randy Moss' 1996 record for most receiving yards in a playoff game, posting 303 yards against Southeastern Louisiana. He finished with a UM single-season record of 1,495 receiving yards, hauling in a career-best 13 touchdowns. Toure has 155 receptions for 2,488 yards and 20 touchdowns in his Grizzly career.

Montana State's Troy Andersen was also a first-team all-American selection, earning the honor at the athlete position. The do-everything Dillon native has carried the ball 49 times for 336 yards and seven touchdowns, while also throwing a touchdown pass. Andersen has primarily played linebacker, though, and has totaled 54 tackles, 11.5 for loss, and 6.5 sacks. He also has an interception this season.

Andersen has missed the past three games due to injury.

Fellow Bobcats Mitch Brott (offensive line), Bryce Sterk (defensive end) and Brayden Konkol (safety) were named second-team all-American, as was Montana's defensive back Robby Hauck.

Grizzlies Jerry Louie-McGee and Marcus Knight were third-team selections at punt returner and running back, respectively.

The complete list of Hero Sports all-Americans can be found below. Montana and Montana State athletes are highlighted in bold.

Hero Sports FCS all-Americans