BOZEMAN — On media day for the Montana State Bobcats in August, Bryce Sterk stood on the second floor of Brick Breeden Fieldhouse wearing a pair of sunglasses that resembled fashion out of a 1980s music video holding a sign.
The whiteboard read, “The Real No. 37.”
The message is an obvious jab across the Continental Divide at MSU’s archrival. For more than 30 years, the Montana Grizzlies have passed the jersey down from one tough in-state product to the next.
For Sterk, a Lynden, Washington native who did not starting going to school at Montana State until enrolling in January after transferring from the University of Washington, it seemed tenuous to make such proclamations despite his formidable physical gifts.
If the 6-foot-5, 255-pound Buck end’s play is any indication so far this season, his preseason bravado is not unfounded. In fact, Sterk has been one of the premier edge players in the FCS four games into the 2018 campaign.
“I don’t think there’s a lot of guys in this league that can block him one-on-one and he’s starting to figure that out,” MSU third-year defensive line coach Byron Hout said the week leading up to the opening of Big Sky Conference play. “He’s a guy when his confidence is high, he has a different motor. That’s been great to see.”
The junior had a pair of sacks in Montana State’s 43-23 win at Portland State, a result that pushed MSU to 3-1 this season, including 1-0 in league play. Sterk enters this weekend’s game against Eastern Washington at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman with five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss, each the top total among Big Sky players so far this season.
“I think the sky is the limit with Bryce,” MSU defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak said. “Who really knows the player he could really become. It’s been so much fun to see him gain confidence in his abilities and talents.”
Sterk’s sack total is tied with eight other players for the most in the FCS. His 1.25 sacks per game is tied for eighth nationally. His 8.5 tackles for loss are tied for the third-highest total in the country and his 2.1 tackles for loss per game are in the top 10.
“Coming off the edge, one of the big things is you are containing; containing the run, containing the quarterback, especially the guys with speed and power,” MSU senior captain defensive tackle Zach Wright said. “You might get the guys with speed out there that can’t deal with the tight end coming their way or guys coming across the formation.
“Bryce has the speed of a 200-pound guy and the strength of a 280-pound guy. It’s all you can ask for. The value he adds being able to contain plays is the biggest thing I see with him.”
During his time at Lynden High, Sterk helped the Lions to 32 straight wins. He played in four straight state title games and won three state championships. He also started in track and field, earning All-Whatcom County honors as a sprinter, hurdler and shot put thrower.
That speed has shown through since the first time he put on pads underneath a Bobcat jersey. During a scrimmage in spring football, Sterk chased down elusive and fast quarterback Chris Murray from behind twice.
“He can flat out run,” Hout said. “I know he was a track athlete in high school. He might not always have the greatest twitch but once he gets going, he gets going. He is really good with his hands. He is starting to figure out the defense and understanding what move to use in every situation. He’s gotten better every week.”
In his Bobcat debut against Western Illinois, he had a sack with eight minutes to play that gave MSU the ball back on a possession the Bobcats would take the lead for good on during a 26-23 victory. Sterk also helped seal that win with a second sack with four minutes to play to force a punt and give the Bobcats the ball to run out the clock.
“I’m trying to help get to the quarterback as much as I can,” Sterk said. “We have talent with Zach (Wright) and Tucker (Yates, Tyrone (Fa’anono), the other guys so I’m looking for a way to contribute as much as I can, help those guys who have been here for awhile.
“There’s some confidence and it feels good looking into the future knowing what we can become.”
Ranked as the No. 14 prep recruit in the state of Washington, the long, lean and raw prospect was originally recruited to UW by Montana State head coach Jeff Choate, at the time the defensive line coach for the Huskies.
Sterk redshirted in 2015 before toiling in obscurity on a defensive line featuring future NFL first round draft picks like Danny Shelton and Vita Vea and All-American pass rusher Hau’oli Kikaha.
“As a guy who recruited him at the University of Washington, I felt he had the ability to play at that level,” Choate said. “When he came in, he was a kid from Lynden High School, which would be like a Class B high school in the state of Montana. Even from Day 1, he was a little bit overwhelmed. There’s all these four and five-star recruits that were coming and he never fully understood his capabilities.”
Choate’s previous relationship with Sterk helped the coach reconnect with the player in December. With Montana State trying to revamp its pass rush — the Bobcats ranked 11th in the 13-team Big Sky in sacks last season — Choate needed a dynamic athlete for the edge of Gregorak’s 3-4 defense. And Sterk wanted a fresh start.
“Since he’s come to Montana State, I’ve said this since we signed him – all I’m asking from you is for you to believe in yourself as much as I believe in you twice now,” Choate said. “He’s starting to gain that confidence. He’s certainly got all the physical tools. As that confidence starts to grow, he’s going to be fun to watch.
Over the last 15 years, Eastern Washington has carved out a reputation as one of the most innovative and prolific passing attacks in college football. Quarterback Gage Gubrud enters his third year as a starter after earning All-American honors as a sophomore and junior.
Choate acknowledged Monday that MSU will have to be smart with how it rushes the passer to ensure the headliners like Sterk and senior Tyrone Fa’anono are not gassed by the fourth quarter. The fact that EWU ran the ball for 441 yards in a 70-17 win over Cal Poly last week complicates the issue for MSU.
But Sterk gives Montana State a weapon it has not possessed since the graduation of former Buck Buchanan Award winner Brad Daly following the 2013 season: a pure pass rusher who can alter offensive attacks with his burst off the edge.
And the fact that he’s fit in seamlessly to Montana State’s locker room brings a smile to Choate’s face.
“I think he’s done a nice job,” Choate said. “Never a finished product. I think there’s a lot of things Bryce can do better with his skill set and his ability level. Certainly he’s been a great addition to our team. More than anything, I think he’s been an awesome teammate. I think he’s fit in here in Bozeman and at Montana State. I think he’s happy. If you are happy, you can be productive and successful.
“There’s some joy in his play, which is awesome to see. That’s what I’m most happy for the kid. He’s getting an opportunity to be himself and enjoy his college football experience. As he enjoys it, we will coach him up and he will continue to get better. We are very fortunate to have him right now.”
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.
