FIVE BIG SKY CONFERENCE PLAYERS SELECTED IN NFL DRAFT

Ogden, Utah (April 25, 2004) -- Five players from the Big Sky Conference were selected in this weekend’s National Football League Draft held in New York City. The five players chosen from the Big Sky marks the most for the conference since the 1990 Draft, which also saw five Big Sky players selected.

The record for number of Big Sky players selected in one draft is nine, which occurred three times (1982, 1987, 1989). Last year the Big Sky had two players selected while in 2002 three players were chosen.

The first Big Sky player chosen was Montana State cornerback Joey Thomas in the third round. Thomas, the 70th overall pick in the draft, was chosen by the Green Bay Packers. Thomas’ selection was the highest for a Big Sky player since Scott Shields of Weber State was chosen in the second round in 1999. Thomas was a two-time First Team All-Big Sky selection and finished his Bobcat career with ten interceptions.

Idaho State defensive end Jared Allen was the second Big Sky player selected, taken by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 126th overall pick.
Allen was the winner of the 2003 Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in I-AA football. In addition, Allen was also a three-time First Team All-Big Sky performer.

Marko Cavka, an offensive tackle from Sacramento State, was the next conference player chosen. Cavka was selected by the New York Jets with the 13th pick of the sixth round. Northern Arizona wide receiver Clarence Moore was the 199th player selected, chosen by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round. Moore was a two-time First Team All-Big Sky selection and finished the 2003 season with 64 receptions for 1,197 yards and 12 touchdowns. The final Big Sky player selected was Montana offensive tackle Dylan McFarland. McFarland was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 6th pick of the 7th round. McFarland was twice chosen First Team All-Big Sky.

A number of other Big Sky players are expected to sign as free agents with NFL clubs over the next couple of days.

Big Sky players selected in the 2004 NFL Draft:

Joey Thomas 6-1 194 Cornerback Montana
State
70th overall pick Green Bay Packers 7th pick
of 3rd Round

Jared Allen 6-6 260 Defensive End Idaho
State
126th overall pick Kansas City Chiefs 30th
pick of 4th Round

Marko Cavka 6-7 294 Offensive Tackle Sacramento
State
178th overall pick New York Jets 13th
pick of 6th Round

Clarence Moore 6-5 211 Wide Receiver Northern
Arizona
199th overall pick Baltimore Ravens 34th
pick of 6th Round

Dylan McFarland 6-5 304 Offensive Tackle Montana
207th overall pick Buffalo Bills
6th pick of 7th Round

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--
Dusty Clements
Assistant Commissioner/Media Relations
Big Sky Conference
801.392.1978 ext. 16
801.392.5568 (fax)
www.bigskyconf.com