Bobcats, Grizzly players touted with major FCS preseason honors

A pair of Montana college football players have been named to prestigious preseason lists for the upcoming 2013 Football Championship Subdivision season.

Montana State senior quarterback DeNarius McGhee has been named to the preseason Peyton Award Watch List. McGhee has been a finalist for the award the last three seasons, and is considered one of the top returning quarterbacks in all of the FCS. He finished seventh as a freshman in the 2010 balloting, ninth last year and 13th in 2011. McGhee passed for 3,154 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 364 yards and five more scores last season as the Bobcats posted an 11-2 record. He was named the Big Sky Conference offensive player of the year.

On the defensive side of the ball, Montana senior linebacker Jordan Tripp has been named to the Buchanen Award Watch List. Tripp is one of 20 named to the 2013 Watch List, and he's one of seven returning finalists for the 19th annual award this year, which is presented by The Sports Network to the outstanding defensive player in the FCS following the regular season. Tripp finished 10th in the balloting last year. Last year, MSU’s Caleb Schreibeis won the award.

"It's obviously nice to be named to that list," said Tripp, who will UM's player representative at the upcoming July 14-16 Big Sky Football Kickoff event in Park City, Utah. "I've always been taught to control what you can control, and I feel like that's great to be recognized, but at this point I just want to play the best I can and help my team to win on Saturdays.”

McGhee, Tripp and Montana offensive lineman Danny Kistler Jr. were also named First-Team FCS Preseason All-Americans recently. Griz’ defensive end Zach Wagenmann was named a second-teamer.

Montana State opens its season at home against Aug. 29 against Monmouth University. The Grizzlies open their season Aug. 31 at home against Appalachian State.