POCATELLO, Idaho – Seven Idaho State Bengals have been honored with preseason all-Big Sky honors by Phil Steele magazine.
Phil Steele's College Football Preview Magazine is an annual publication that provides college football stats, trends, angles, and returning starters. The 2024 edition is over 350 pages long and costs $19.99. It's available for purchase online at philsteele.com, or at Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million. A digital version is also available for $19.99.
Calvin Pitcher and Christian Fredericksen earned 1st team honors. Cortland Horton, David Rowe and Kris Sanchez brought home 2nd team honors and Teilor Tuioti and Nathan Reynolds rounded out the selections with 3rd team honors.
For a full list of honorees CLICK HERE.
Calvin Pitcher – First Team – Safety
In 2023, Pitcher played in all 11 of the Bengals' games and was named a team captain in the preseason due to his leadership on and off of the field. He represented Idaho State at the 2023 Big Sky Football Kickoff in Spokane. Pitcher had a career-high 87 tackles during the season with 46 unassisted and 41 tackle assists. He had two forced fumbles and an interception during the year. Pitcher made three tackles for loss during the 2023 campaign. Against Northern Colorado on 09/23 had a career-high 13 tackles against the Bears. At the end of the year he was named 2nd team All-Big Sky in 2023 for his efforts on the field.
Christian Fredericksen – First Team Wide Receiver
Had a breakout year for the Bengals in 2023 and represented ISU at the 2024 Big Sky Kickoff in Spokane this past weekend. He Finished the 2023 0season with 791 receiving yards on 53 receptions. Fredericksen had five touchdowns on the season. Against Utah State he had a career-high eight receptions. In the Bengal's comeback victory over Eastern Washington on 10/14/23 Fredericksen had a career-high 119 receiving yards with his career-high long reception of 38 yards
Finished the season ranked #30 in Receiving yards in the FCS, #32 in Receiving yards per game, #59 in receiving yards and #46 in receptions per game
Finished the season ranked No. 4 in the Big Sky In reception yards per game and 8th in receptions per game.
Kris Sanchez – Second Team – Linebacker
Played in all 11 of the Bengals games in 2023. He Had 65 total tackles during the season with 31 unassisted. Sanchez made four tackles for loss in 2023 Against Northern Colorado on 09/23 had a career-best 10 total tackles. Against Weber State on 11/04 had 1.5 tackles for loss and had one interception on the season.
Cortland Horton – Second Team – Defensive Line
Horton was named a captain for the 2023 season for the Bengals. He Played in 10 of the Bengals 11 games in 2023. During 2023 he recorded a career-high 44 tackles with 15 unassisted. Horton had 7 tackles for loss with a total of 31 yards, including four sacks on the season... Against UC Davis on 11/11/23 tied his career-best of 7 single-game tackles... against Northern Colorado on 09/23/23 had a career-best two tackles for loss.
David Rowe – Second Team – Defensive Line
Rowe Played in all 11 of the Bengals' games in 2023 at defensive line. He had 36 total tackles and a team-high 10 tackles for loss in the season... Against Portland State had a career high two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss including back to back sacks that stalled the Vikings final drive of the game and allowed the Bengals to close out the road victory in Portland.
Teilor Tuioti – Third Team – Linebacker
Tuioti Appeared in all 11 games for the Bengals in the 2023 season. He had 55 total tackles with 19 unassisted. Had two pass breakups and a fumble recovery... Had one interception during the 2023 season against Idaho on 11/18... Against Northern Colorado and Eastern Washington had nine total tackles.
Nathan Reynolds – Third Team Linebacker.
Reynolds Appeared in nine games for the Bengals in the 2023 season... Had 26 total tackles with six unassisted and 1.5 tackles for loss. He had one pass break up and one interception on the season. Against UC Davis on 11/11 had a career-best eight total tackles
The Bengals return to action July 31 with the start of the 2024 fall camp, preparing for the season-opener on August 31st at Oregon State.
