Hilliard has strong outing for Miami

The Daily Inter Lake

Former Flathead High School and University of Montana football standout Lex Hilliard was the top rusher for Miami in the Dolphins' 12-9 NFL preseason opening victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday in Miami.

Hilliard, 5-foot-11, 240 pounds, totaled 42 yards on nine carries.

The Dolphins, as a team, had 118 yards on 37 attempts.

Ricky Williams had the second best total for Miami, finishing with 31 yards on 10 carries.

Former UM kicker Dan Carpenter (Helena) booted a 48-yard field goal in the opening quarter, giving Miami an early 3-0 lead.

Hilliard was drafted in the sixth round in 2008 by Miami. He was signed to the practice squad after being waived last year.

In 2008 preseason play, Hilliard totaled 68 yards on 24 attempts. He also had three receptions for 24 yards.

At Montana, Hilliard rushed for 4,016 yards on 806 carries. He averaged 5 yards per carry and scored 50 touchdowns

Hilliard also had 57 receptions for 591 yards and two TDs.

At Flathead, Hilliard amassed 3,419 yards. He scored 44 touchdowns and finished with 4,410 all-purpose yards.

Hilliard is listed at fourth on the team's depth chart. Ronnie Brown (6-0, 230), Williams (5-10, 230) and Patrick Cobbs (5-8, 205) are 1-2-3.

Another former Kalipell standout, quarterback Mike Reilly, remains in camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Reilly, 6-3, 212, signed a free-agent deal with the Steelers after a brilliant career at Central Washington University.

He threw at least one TD pass in 46 career games, which is an NCAA all-divisions record. His senior season at CWU, he threw for 3,706 yards (270-of-414) and 37 touchdowns. He was intercepted six times.

Reilly, a third team AP Little All-American, holds virtually every passing record at CWU.

Pittsburgh has four quarterbacks in camp - starter Ben Roethlisberger (6-5, 241), Charlie Batch (6-2, 216) and Dennis Dixon (6-3, 195).

Miami hosts Carolina on Saturday, while Pittsburgh travels to Washington.