The 6-2, 211-pound senior began the 2010 season as one of the most prolific offensive returnees in the Football Championship Subdivision, and was a candidate for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the outstanding offensive player in the division.
"It is a really a sad day and the news was hard to take," Pflugrad said. "Our staff really relies on Andrew for many things on and off the football field. He is more than a football player, more than a student-athlete, and more than our team captain. He's everything rolled into one.
"He is what Grizzly football is all about and I believe he is what The University of Montana is all about," Pflugrad said. "It's a big loss and a tough deal for our team, and I know our players are taking the news very hard. He is our inspirational leader and he was our summer leader.
"He put the team on his back last year; him and a few seniors who are no longer here, and won 14 games in a row,"Pflugrad continued. "Not many people in America can say they won 14 football games in their college career, let alone in one year; so I am very sad about the situation."