FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Nine Northern Arizona University football players were selected to the College Sports Madness Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team, announced today by the website.

The Lumberjacks had six players named to the first team, while three players earned third team honors.

Senior running back Zach Bauman received first team honors. It is Bauman's seventh honor of the preseason, as the Walter Payton Award candidate is 119 yards shy of breaking the NAU all-time rushing record.

Senior punter/kicker Andy Wilder was named to the first team. The honor is Wilder's eighth of the preseason. He led the nation in punting last season with an average of 46.3 yards per punt. He also tallied 25 punts of 50 or more yards during the season.

Senior Lucky Dozier earned his fourth honor of the preseason after being selected as a first team safety. Dozier led the Big Sky with four interceptions in 2012. He finished his junior year with 57 tackles and five pass breakups.

Senior Anders Battle earned first team honors as a cornerback. Battle has a trio of preseason honors under his belt. He led the team with 64 tackles, in addition to one sack, one interception and six pass breakups last season.

Senior Tim Wilkinson was selected to the first team as a defensive lineman. Wilkinson has earned three preseason honors this season, after ranking eighth in the Big Sky last year with 6.5 sacks. He also tallied 37 tackles.

Junior R.J. Rickert was selected as a first team tight end for his fifth honor of the preseason. He finished 2012 with 272 yards on 27 receptions, including a trio of touchdowns.

Junior Dejzon Walker earned third team honors as a wide receiver. Walker had 36 catches for a team-high 505 receiving yards in 2012.

Junior Roy Garcia was selected as a third team offensive lineman. He started all 11 games in 2012 to finish with Honorable Mention Big Sky honors.

Senior linebacker Ryan Reardon earned third team honors. He started all 11 games and recorded 41 tackles in 2012 to earn Honorable Mention Big Sky honors.

Northern Arizona opens the 2013 season up at the University of Arizona on Friday, August 30. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.

For a complete list of honorees click here