2008 All Big Sky Team

The Big Sky announced it's 2008 All Conference Football Team. A special note of congratulations to Coach McBride of Weber State being named Coach of the Year. McBride has been recruiting and coaching Polynesians for 20+ years, many years before it became vogue to have Polynesian coaches or players in a football program. McBride's former defensive lineman at Utah, and now defensive line coach, Chad Kauha'aha'a has done a remarkable job coaching up his position players in addition to recruiting his home state of Hawai'i and Polynesians from the mainland United States. St Louis School (Honolulu, HI) graduate Cameron Higgins was named offensive MVP of the league. Interestingly tiny Kapa'a High School on the island of Kaua'i placed two guards on the all star team: Lawai'a Naihe of Weber State and Moses Punzal of Portland State.

First Team selections include
Quarterback Cameron Higgins Weber State
Higgins, the 2007 Newcomer of the Year, shinned in his first full-season as a starter. Entering Saturday’s playoff game, Higgins ranks third in the nation in total passing, and fourth in total offense and passing efficiency. He’s completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 3,791 yards with 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Higgins is averaging a league-best 315.9 passing yards per game. Higgins is a candidate for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the top offensive player in the FCS. Big Sky Link

Fullback Marcus Mailei Weber State
Used primarily as a blocking back














Guard Lawai'a Naihe Weber State












Tackle Lou Saucedo Montana State
Saucedo, a senior offensive tackle from Long Beach, Calif., staged a remarkable comeback in 2008. After missing 2007 due to academics, Saucedo returned to the Bobcat program in the summer, only to move from guard to tackle. Even so, he managed to earn first team all-league honors. "Lou is a tremendous story of perseverance," Ash said. "He worked extremely hard, and made a tremendous impact on our program." MSU Link



Defensive Tackle Bryce Scanlon Weber State
Has 48 tackles for the season, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack









Linebacker Cyrus Mulitalo Sacramento State
Mulitalo is also a repeat selection to the Big Sky first team. The middle linebacker led the Hornets in 2008 with 96 total tackles, marking the third straight season in which he recorded the highest tackle total on the team. He also had two interceptions and broke up six passes. Mulitalo leaves Sacramento State ranked second in school history with 336 career tackles and is fifth with 32.0 tackles-for-loss. A versatile player, Mulitalo was occasionally used at running back during his career and scored a touchdown as a sophomore. Along with his two first-team awards, Mulitalo was named to the second team in 2006. Sac State Link

Second Team selections include
Defensive End Jason Belford Eastern Washington
28 tackles for the season, 9 tackles for loss and 6 sacks

Tight End Cody Nakamura Weber State
Started 8 of 12 games, registered 42 receptions for 682 yards and 9 TDs


Honorable Mention selections include
Inside Linebacker Makai Borden Eastern Washington
43 tackles in only 7 games

Defensive Tackle Ryan Eastman Weber State
21 tackles for the season, and 4 tackles for loss

Return Specialist Bryant Eteuati Weber State
Averaged 12 yards a punt return and 23.9 yards a kick return on 42 returns for the season

Defensive End Pate Moleni Weber State
37 Tackles for the year, 7 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks

Guard Moses Punzal Portland State