Lex Hilliard - College Career

College Career

As a true freshman at the University of Montana in 2003, Hilliard was originally going to redshirt but was activated for the second game of the season. His 590 rushing yards ranked ninth in the Big Sky Conference that season.

Despite starting just four games as a sophomore in 2004, Hilliard rushed for a team-leading 972 yards and 17 touchdowns on his way to earning first-team All-Big Sky honors. He posted five 100-yard rushing games during the season, and his 17 touchdowns were best in the conference.

Hilliard earned first-team All-Big Sky honors for the second straight season, as well as being named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, as a junior in 2005 after rushing for 1,322 yards. His rushing total ranked 19th in the nation and second in school history behind only Yohance Humphery in 2001. He had six 100-yard games during the season, including a 237-yard performance against Cal Poly which was the second-highest single-game rushing total in school history.

In 2006, Hilliard was redshirted after suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.

"Now that we're in the '07 season and he's back with us, it's just a godsend to have him back. I see Lex having a monster season."

Hilliard returned to the field as a fifth-year senior in 2007, appearing in 11 games for the Grizzlies. He rushed for 1,132 yards and 16 touchdowns on his way to second-team All-Big Sky honors. He topped the 100-yard rushing plateau seven times during the season.

During his five-year career at Montana, Hilliard racked up 4,106 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns on 5.0 average. He also added 57 receptions for 591 yards and two touchdowns.