Around the Big Sky

Two Montana State football players with ties to the Spokane area have had their careers cut short by injuries. Junior defensive end Ryan Cogley of Cheney has had to call it quits because of recurring problems with his hips. The 6-foot-3, 252-pounder was an all-league tight end and linebacker for the Blackhawks, graduating in 2002. Senior center Zach Wolf of Colton had knee surgery, ending his career. The 6-2, 275-pounder is the nephew of Bobcats’ coach Mike Kramer and was an honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference player last year. … Eastern Washington is ranked fourth in the first USA Today coaches poll, behind defending champion James Madison, Furman and Montana. James Madison received 24-first-place votes, EWU six, Montana five and Furman three. Southern Illinois, fifth in the poll, got the other first-place vote. Montana State (No. 18) is the other Big Sky team in the Top 25. Cal Poly, also on Eastern Washington’s schedule, is at No. 16.