Sandry earns first career Player of the Week honor

Josh Sandry put together the most complete game of his young college career against North Dakota last week, tallying a stat in nearly every defensive category, highlighted by a 74-yard interception return.

For his efforts, the sophomore from Bigfork, has been named the ROOT Sports Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week and was given an Honorable Mention for the STATS FCS National Defensive Player of the Week as well.

Not only did Sandry return his third interception of the year 74-yards before finally being tripped up on his way to the end zone. He also totaled seven tackles, a half-sack, half-TFL, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.

For defensive coordinator Jason Semore, the timing of Sandry's big-time performance couldn't be better following a pair of quiet games over the last two weeks.

"Josh had a huge game, and he needed one," said Semore. "It was really good for him to come out with a lot of confidence, be really productive and fly around and make some plays. When he's playing confident, he's as good as there is in the Big Sky. He's a really dynamic athlete, so when he's comfortable back there, he's a special stinkin' player.

Just over halfway through the season, Sandry has already posted more tackles than his entire freshman year with 35 and is tied for the second-most interceptions in the Big Sky Conference this year with three. He is also the only player this year to intercept a pass from Washington Heisman Trophy Candidate Jake Browning and return it for a touchdown.

Semore says that even though Sandry had a quiet stretch during the Grizzlies' two-game road swing, Griz fans can expect big things out of the sophomore in games and seasons to come.

"With Josh's work ethic, I have no doubt he will continue to get better every single week," Semore added. "We've got some of the better teams left on the schedule, so we're going to need productive days from Josh. I know he'll keep working every week to get better."

This is the second ROOT Sports Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week award for Montana this season, and both awards have gone to safeties.

Free safety Justin Strong earned a hat-trick of national and conference weekly awards after the game at Portland State, where the senior caught three interceptions, running one back for a touchdown, all while wearing a cast on his left hand.

Previous to Strong, Josh Buss was the last player to be named Big Sky ROOT Sports Defensive Player of the Week, getting the honor following the Sac. State game in 2016.

Also picking up a STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week Honorable Mention was QB Gresch Jensen, the fourth time in five games he's been given the nod as one of the top freshmen in the nation.

Jensen had the best performance by a freshman quarterback in the history of Montana football against UND and set a new career-high as well with 423 yards on 22 completions and three touchdowns.

Despite throwing two interceptions and giving up a fumble in the first quarter, Jensen rebounded to compile 459 yards of total offense, leading the Griz to a 41-17 win. If it weren't for the three early turnovers and being relieved by Caleb Hill early in the fourth quarter, Jensen would have likely surpassed the 500-yards of total offense mark, something no Grizzly has managed since Brian Ah Yat in 1996.

Jensen's 423 yards passing were the second-most of any player in all of FCS football last week. Jeremiah Briscoe of Sam Houston State threw for the most yards with 509.

Montana nominated four players for four different awards this week.

Sandry earned the nomination for both Big Sky and National Defensive Player of the Week.

Keenan Curran earned a nomination for Big Sky Offensive Player of the week after a career-high 151 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

Jensen got the nomination for the national Freshman of the Week, and kicker Brandon Purdy got a nomination for Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week.

The Grizzlies will get a much-needed bye week this week before returning to action on Oct. 28 at Weber State.

University of Montana Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Josh Buss

Keenan Curran

Caleb Hill

Gresch Jensen

Brandon Purdy

Josh Sandry

Justin Strong

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