The University of Montana’s Zack Wagenmann has been named to two more All-America teams this week, as he was named to the Walter Camp All-America first team squad, and he was also a first team selection by the Associated Press. Earlier this week it was announced that he had been selected to the AFCA’s FCS All-America Team.
Joining Wagenmann on the Associated Press All-America squad was senior free safety Matt Hermanson, who was named to the third team.
A 6-3 ½, 255-pound senior defensive end from Missoula, Mont., Wagenmann finished third in the balloting for the 2014 Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year). This past season he was nationally ranked in sacks (third, 1.25 pg), tackles for loss (13th, 1.6 pg), and forced fumbles (sixth, 0.43 pg).
Matt Hermanson (Photo by Todd Goodrich, UM)
This past season the Griz were 9-5 overall and 6-2 (tie, second) in the Big Sky Conference. UM received an at-large berth into the NCAA FCS playoffs, defeating San Diego 52-14 in the first round, and losing 37-20 on the road to 4th-ranked Eastern Washington in the second round.
Wagenmann, a defensive co–captain with tackle Tonga Takai this past season, had 22.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and 74 total tackles in 2014, and he was named the Big Sky’s MVP on defense.
A three-time first-team all-league selection, Wagenmann played in 52 career games and started in 38 in a row from 2012-14. He set Montana career records in sacks (37.5), tackles for loss (49), and forced fumbles. His 6 forced fumbles tied the school record (6, Andy Petek, 2000). Wagenmann was the co-recipient of the Grizzlies’ Steve Carlson Award (MVP), sharing it with senior quarterback Jordan Johnson.
Zack Wagenmann (Photo by Todd Goodrich, UM)
A three-year starter from Sioux Falls, S.D., the 6-1, 202-pound Hermanson was a first team All-Big Sky pick this past season. He led the league with 6 interceptions, and was UM’s third leading tackler with 109 total stops. He was a second team all-conference selection as a junior, and tabbed honorable mention as a sophomore.
Hermanson played in 49 career games and started in 37. He also left his mark in the Grizzly record book, finishing with 348 career tackles, which ties him with linebacker Kent Clausen (348, 1976-79) for the third most in school history. His 11 career interceptions tie him for the sixth most ever at UM.
Following the 2014 season Hermanson was voted the recipient of UM’s Tony Barbour Award, which is given to the player “who best exemplifies outstanding practice habits and makes an unselfish contribution to the betterment of the Grizzly football team.”