March 29, 2001

Spring Football To Begin Sunday, No Joke

The Truman State University Football team will begin spring drills on Sunday, April 1.

No, it's not a joke, it really is time for the Bulldogs to begin preparation for the 2001 campaign.

On Sunday, the team will begin on-the-field drills at 3:45 p.m. at the Stokes Stadium practice field. The 'Dogs will be in full pads starting on Monday April 9 at 4 p.m. A complete schedule is listed below, but is subject to change depending on weather conditions.

The Bulldogs return eight all-conference performers, including second-team all-MIAA center Nick Ruud (Moline, Ill.). Ruud started every game for the Bulldogs this past season, helping the team to finish first in the MIAA in pass offense (281.5 ypg).

Also back are seven honorable mention all-league picks, including senior quarterback Eric Howe (West Des Moines, Iowa/Dowling) who led the league in passing yards (267.7 ypg) and total offense (262.9 ypg). He also produced the third-best season passing in MIAA history with 2,945 yards. Howe now ranks seventh among MIAA career passing yards leaders (6,259) and ninth in career total offense (6,185 yards). He moved into the second spots all-time at Truman in both categories.

Junior wide receiver Andrew Blakley (St. Joseph, Mo./Central) was a repeat honorable mention selection and led the team with 56 receptions, good for second in the conference. He also finished second on the team and sixth in the MIAA in receiving yards (714). He is now fourth in Truman career receptions (127) and 11th in career receiving yards (1,519).

Junior wide receiver and all-purpose back Alfonso Pugh (Galesburg, Ill.), another returning honorable mention all-conference pick, was 10th in MIAA receiving yards (523, 47.5 ypg), ninth in receptions (37, 3.36 rpg), and second in kickoff (28.9 ypr) and punt returns (16.4 ypr), scoring two TDs on kickoff returns and one on a punt return. He tied for the team-lead in scoring with 54 points on nine total touchdowns and led the Bulldogs in all-purpose yards (1,203). Pugh finished the season ranked ninth in both NCAA Division II punt returns (16.4 ypr) and kickoff returns (28.9 ypr).

Senior offensive tackle Brandon Montgomery (St. Louis/SLUH), junior punter/place kicker Austin Lepper (Ames, Iowa/Gilbert), junior linebacker Judd Lienhard (Louisiana, Mo.) and sophomore linebacker Jake Willrich (Grimes, Iowa/Dallas Center-Grimes) were all named to the honorable mention squad as well.

Lepper finished third in the MIAA in punting (38.9ypp) and sixth in field goals (6 of 12).

Lienhard was third among the Bulldogs in total tackles with 67, including four for a loss.

Willrich led the team with 97 total stops, including five for a loss and two sacks, and grabbed one interception as the starter in the middle.

The 2000 Bulldogs finished 6-4 overall and tied for fourth in the MIAA with a 5-4 record.

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