OGDEN, Utah - The Big Sky Conference placed 17 players on the Sports Network All-America Football Championship Subdivision team, more than any other FCS conference in the nation. NAU senior cornerback K.J. Gerard was selected to the first team defense, while punter Robbie Dehaze was a second-team choice. Dehaze also earned honorable mention honors at place kicker.

Gerard, a native of Fountain Valley, Calif., intercepted five passes, and led the Big Sky with 14 pass breakups. He also recorded 38 solo tackles, and helped an NAU defense that led the nation against the run. He was also named to 2007 Associated Press (third team) and The Sports Network All-America teams.

Dehaze, 6-3, 184-pound senior from Sherwood, Ore., averaged a national-best 45.2 yards per punt. He punted 64 times, landing 17 inside the opponent's 20-yard line.

Four Big Sky players were tabbed to the first team, while seven were named to the second team, and six were selected to the third team. Another 11 players received honorable mention honors. The squad was selected by sportswriters and sports information directors from across the nation.

Joining Eastern Washington's Peach on the first-team defense from the Big Sky was Montana senior safety Colt Anderson of Butte, Mont., and Northern Arizona senior cornerback KJ Gerard of Fountain Valley, Calif. Anderson led Montana with 129 total tackles and helped Montana reach the 2008 Division I Football Championship game. Gerard intercepted five passes and broke up 14 for the nation's top-rated rushing defense.

Big Sky Players Named to the Sports Network All-America Team

FIRST TEAM
G - Colin Dow, Sr., Montana
DE - Greg Peach, Sr., Eastern Washington
CB – K.J. Gerard, Sr., Northern Arizona
S - Colt Anderson, Sr., Montana

SECOND TEAM
RB - Trevyn Smith, Jr., Weber State
WR - Marc Mariani, Jr., Montana
WR - Tim Toone, Jr., Weber State
T - Brent Russum, Sr., Montana
LB - Cristian Sarmento, Sr., Northern Colorado
LB - Andy Schantz, Sr., Portland State
P - Robbie Dehaze, Sr., Northern Arizona

THIRD TEAM
QB - Cameron Higgins, So., Weber State
WR - Tony Wasington, Sr., Sacramento State
TE - Cody Nakamura, Jr., Weber State
T - Paul Carpenter, Sr., Weber State
DT - Bryce Scanlon, Sr., Weber State
S - Beau Hadley, Jr., Weber State

HONORABLE MENTION
QB - Cole Bergquist, Sr., Montana.
RB - Chase Reynolds, So., Montana
FB – Marcus Mailei, Sr., Weber State
G – Jeff Hansen, Jr., Montana State
C - J.D. Quinn, Sr., Montana
PK - Robbie Dehaze, Sr., Northern Arizona
PR - Marc Mariani, Jr., Montana
DE - Kevin Linehan, Jr., Weber State
LB – Cyrus Mulitalo, Sr., Sacramento State;
Bobby Daly, Sr., Montana State
CB – Josh Morris, Jr., Weber State