I-AA Positional Rankings Include Several BSC Players

Matt Dougherty, executive director of I-AA football, has released a list of positional rankings, naming the top 5 to 20 players in the country and their respective positions, and several Big Sky stars made the list.

Guards:
1. Brennan Carvalho, Portland State (Jr., 6-1, 310) - After starting as a true freshman in 2004, Carvalho earned first-team All-Big Sky honors as he started all 11 games at left guard and helped the Portland State offense lead the conference in rushing and sacks allowed.

2. Matt Alfred, Eastern Washington (Jr., 6-3, 290) - Alfred has started at guard or tackle in the Eagles� last 22 games and garnered first-team All- America honors as the Eagles racked up 477.8 yards of total offense a year ago.

9. Brant Birkeland, Montana State (Sr., 6-2, 270) - Birkeland will play a key role at left guard on a Montana State line that could be blocking for the running game more often without Travis Lulay.

Tackles:
5. Rocky Hanni, Eastern Washington (Jr., 6-5, 290) - Hanni moved from tackle to guard as a sophomore, but moves back to the tackle spot this year and should keep adding to his run of starting every game in his career.

9. Joe Hirst, Montana State (Sr., 6-7, 295) - Hirst has battled injuries throughout his career, but stayed healthy a year ago to earn second-team All- Big Sky recognition and is the top returning player on a annually strong Bobcat offensive line.

Defensive End:
3. Mike Murphy, Montana (Sr., 6-3, 240) - Murphy tallied six sacks and five forced fumbles for a tough Grizzly defense, and has 108 tackles and 20.5 sacks in his career.

Linebacker:
12. Pago Togafau, Idaho State (Sr.,5-10, 210) - Togafau looks to build on two solid seasons for the Bengals, as he tallied 103 stops in 2005 after recording 122 as a sophomore two years ago.

Cornerback:
3. Dominic Dixon, Portland State (Sr., 5-10, 195) - With consecutive nods to the Big Sky All-Conference team, Dixon has emerged as one of the top cover corners in I-AA football and filled the stat sheet with 53 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions a year ago.

Kickers:
5. Jeff Hastings, Montana State (Sr., 5-9, 180) - Hastings connected on 16- of-21 field goal attempts, and endeared himself to Bobcat fans by nailing three kicks in a 16-6 win against Montana.