Hilliard misses game, Bagley injures arm

The Daily Inter Lake

University of Montana running back Lex Hilliard did not play in Saturday's game because he had surgery on his hand earlier in the week.

With the Grizzlies already having wrapped up the Big Sky Conference championship and automatic berth into the FCS playoffs, the team decided to fix a problem that has been bothering the senior from Kalispell nearly all season long. He should be ready for the playoffs, if not earlier.

It is believed the injury is ligament damage to his thumb, but UM strictly enforces its policy to never talk about injuries. Hilliard has done a great job disguising his pain all season long, but has left games for a couple plays at a time when the injury has been aggravated.

He did travel with the team to Pocatello, Idaho, for Saturday's game.

Hilliard, UM's all-time touchdown king, is 468 yards shy of becoming the school's all-time leading rusher. He has rushed for 832 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

Senior wide receiver Ryan Bagley left Saturday's game in the third quarter after hauling in a long catch inside the ISU's 10-yard line. He nearly escaped being tangled up with the tackler to score, but fell hard on the artificial turf. He left the game to have X-rays taken on his arm.

Bagley is UM's top receiver. He had 43 catches for 585 yards and six touchdowns coming into the game.