K-State's Lilja Selected to 2003 Academic All- District VII Football Team
Nov 13, 2003 | Football
The 24 student-athletes name to the first team, including Lilja, advance to the national Academic All-America ballot.
The selection is the first to the academic all-district team for Lilja, who was a first team Academic All-Big 12 honoree in 2002 and possesses a 3.604 G.P.A. in finance/pre-law (double major).
Lilja has started 10-of-11 games so far this season for the 25th-ranked Wildcats (8-3, 4-2 Big 12) and has been a key cog along the front line for an offense that ranks eighth in the nation in scoring (38.6 ppg) and 10th in rushing (221.6 ypg). Lilja has also helped K-State rank 24th in total offense (429.1 ypg) and third in rushing touchdowns (32).
The Lake Quivira, Kan., native has also been a essential figure in helping running back Darren Sproles rank ninth in rushing average (118.2 ypg) and third in total yardage (1,300 yards).
As a junior, Lilja saw action in nine games as a backup during 2002, blocking for a running game that broke K-State single-season marks for rushing (3,433), rushing yards per game (264.1) and yards per carry (5.24).
Lilja and the Wildcats take on 15th-ranked
2003 CoSIDA Academic All-District VII Football Team University Division
Offense
Pos. Name Institution
QB Casey Bramlet
WR Jack Whitver
WR Eddie Galles
TE Adam Strecker Air Force
RB Judd Davies
RB C.R. Davis
OL Mark Dreyer
OL Rob Droege
OL Trenton Franz
OL Ryan Lilja
OL Dylan McFarland
K Nate Keading
Defense
Pos. Name Institution
DB Pat Ricketts
DB Phil Bland
DB Kane Ioane
DB Curtis Martindale Drake
LB Eric Pauly
LB Chad Sievers
LB Drew Wood
DL Jordan Carstens
DL Ryan Carter Air Force
DL Jared Clauss
DL Jon Montoya
P Andrew Martin Air Force
