Hilliard breaks loose for career bests vs. Eagles
Montana's Lex Hilliard had a breakout performance at Eastern Washington on Saturday.
The ex-Flathead star carried the ball 19 times for a career-highs of 116 yards and three touchdowns. Together with Justin Green's 49 yards, the Grizzlies had one of their better rushing games of the season.
"At halftime, Justin and I talked to each other," Hilliard said to the Missoulian after the game. "And we said, 'You need me, I need you, let's go out and blow these guys off the line,'
"And our line did a good job of taking control."
The true sophomore had gotten off to a bit of a slow start this season, much like the entire Griz running game. He entered the game with just 180 yards and two touchdowns on the season.
But the quick and powerful Hilliard found his groove against the Eagles, averaging over six yards a carry and scoring on runs of 16, 8 and 2 yards.
- FOR REAL: After some confusion and incorrect information last week, Levander Segars broke the Division I-AA punt return record against Eastern Washington with his 124th.
Segars needs just 124 more return yards to break Delvin Joyce's record of 1,448, compiled from 1997-2000 at James Madison.
- MORE RED ZONE REJECTIONS: The Grizzlies bend-but-don't break defense broke a little more often than they probably would have liked against the Eagles, but they did shut down three Eastern Washington red zone possessions.
Twice the Eagles converted field goals and a potential game-tying third was blocked by Shane MacIntyre with 18 seconds to go.
- SHARING THE BALL: Montana quarterback Craig Ochs continues to spread his passes among his talented receivers. Six players caught passes Saturday, four of them more than one.
Tate Hancock led the sextet with five grabs for 61 yards. Tight end Willie Walden made the most of his one catch - a 2-yard touchdown.
- CLIMBING THE CHARTS: Montana moved up one spot to No. 4 in the latest I-AA poll, even receiving a first place vote.
After three straight weeks of upheaval at the top of the poll to start the season - including a loss by Montana - Southern Illinois has remained a solid No. 1, followed by Georgia Southern and defending champion Delaware.
All four teams have one loss. Montana is the only Big Sky team in the top 25, though Montana State is poised at No. 26 and Eastern Washington is 27th.
- RECORD BOOK WATCH: Ochs is now less than 400 yards behind Brent Pease for eighth on the Montana career passing list with 3,266 yards. … Green needs 37 yards to move into 10th on the rushing list. … Jon Talmage will take over 14th on the receiving chart with 23 yards and with 787 more yards Hancock will crack the top 20. … Lance Spencer moved into a tie for ninth place with his 21st career tackle for a loss Saturday and needs one more sack to tie Jay Turner for fifth.