Student-Athlete of the Month - Lex Hilliard Lex Hilliard - complete bio Ht: 6'0" | Weight: 225 lbs | Year: Junior Major: General Studies Previous School: Flathead HS Hometown: Kalispell, MT October Statistics: 10/1 vs. Weber St.: 24 carries, 159 yards, 1 TD 10/8 at Idaho St.: 22 carries, 142 yards, 1 TD 10/15 vs. E. Wash.: 15 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD 10/22 vs. Cal Poly: 34 carries, 237 yards, 1 TD 10/29 vs. Port. St.: 18 carries, 75 yards, 2 TDs Junior Lex Hilliard has been named MontanaGrizzlies.com Student-Athlete of the Month for his athletic achievements in the month of October. This is the first time Hilliard has earned the honor, and he is the fourth Montana football player to be recognized as student-athlete of the month since the Grizzly Times' inception in the fall of 2004. Hiiliard, a 6-foot, 225-pound running back from Kalispell, Mont., opened the month with a 159 yards and a touchdown in the Grizzlies' 24-19 homecoming win over Weber State. He followed that with a 22-carry, 142-yard performance that led Montana to a 32-10 road victory over Idaho State. Hilliard busted a career-long 69-yard run in the win over the Bengals. After being limited to 53 yards on 15 carries in UM's 34-20 loss to Eastern Washington, Hilliard came back with a career game against then third-ranked Cal Poly. The Walter Payton Award candidate rushed 34 times for 237 yards and a touchdown in the Grizzlies' 36-27 home triumph over the Mustangs. For his efforts Hilliard was recognized as the Big Sky Conference's Offensive Player of the Week and one of I-AA.org's Weekly All-Stars. Hilliard wrapped up October with two touchdowns and 75 yards rushing in a 37-16 home win over Portland State. HIlliard has rushed for 917 yards through the first six games of the season, nearly matching last season's 972-yard output that he accomplished in 14 games. Hilliard, a first team All-Big Sky selection a year ago who has recorded a touchdown in six consecutive games this season, is on pace to record over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.