PARK CITY, Utah — Sacramento State senior Ben Sorensen was named to the Preseason All-Big Sky football team, it was announced today. Sorensen was one of two defensive ends chosen to the team and one of 12 defensive players to earn preseason all-conference honors.

Sorensen was honorable mention all-Big Sky last season. He appeared in each of the team's 11 games, starting 10 at defensive end. The Clovis, Calif., native led the team with 11.0 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 sacks and finished the year with 42 total tackles. Sorensen also had five quarterback hurries, forced a team-high three fumbles and recovered a pair of fumbles. During the season, he had at least one tackle in all 11 games and had four or more in eight contests.

Sorensen enters the season with 21 career tackles-for-loss and needs just three TFLs do crack the career top 10 list at Sacramento State. His 8.5 career sacks leaves him four shy of the 10 in the Hornet record book.

Eastern Washington quarterback Gage Gubrud was named the Big Sky Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Cole Reyes, a safety from North Dakota, was voted the Big Sky Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Sacramento State opens the 2017 season at Idaho on Thursday, Aug. 31. The team's first home game will be on Saturday, Sept. 9 against Incarnate Word.

2017 Big Sky Conference Preseason Team

Offensive MVP - Gage Gubrud, Jr., QB, Eastern Washington
Defensive MVP - Cole Reyes, Sr., S, North Dakota