Quick — name two of the top 10 pass reception leaders in the history of college football.

How about Truman receiver Andrew Blakley and Jerry Rice?

Yes, that's NFL superstar Jerry Rice.

With seven more receptions in his final collegiate game against Missouri Western State College (St. Joseph) on Saturday, Blakley will tie Rice for fifth-place all-time in career pass receptions for any level of college football.

"It all hasn't really set in," Blakley said. "I'm just happy to be part of an offense that has given me that opportunity."

Blakley sits ninth on the all-time receptions list, but a good game against Missouri Western could send him skyrocketing through the charts to as high as fourth all-time.

The Truman slotback from St. Joseph, Mo., has wowed teammates and coaches alike with his stellar play since the first game of his freshman year.

"It's kind of a shock that he's done so much, but at the same time, it isn't," senior tailback Mike Redding said. "Ever since his first game [freshman year] when he did so well against Illinois State, I knew he was going to be good."

Blakley said he received the opportunity to play against Illinois State University (Normal) in 1999 because of an injury to the starting receiver.

After amassing 10 catches and nearly 150 yards in that first game, the team knew they had something special. But not even head coach John Ware thought he would amass such amazing statistics.

"I knew he'd be a contributor," Ware said. "But I couldn't imagine he would put up those kind of stats."

Blakley said the coaching staff really helped him through the first few weeks of training camp, where he would get his start at receiver as a true freshman.

"I was really young," Blakley said. "The coaches helped me get accustomed to the college offense. I was only 17 years old."

After compiling 294 catches, 3,418 yards and 22 touchdowns, Blakley will go down as one of the legends of Bulldog football.

All this despite the fact that Blakley stands a mere 5 feet 9 inches tall and 175 pounds, according to the Truman football Web site.

Blakley contends his size might have helped him in his football career.

"I enjoy being small," Blakley said. "There are some things that I think I'm able to do simply because I'm a little smaller. I'd say it's all worked out."

Senior receiver Geoff Jensen said Blakley has proved that size isn't the only factor for an athlete.

"He doesn't come off as being a really mean football player," Jensen said. "But he's shown being a great player isn't all about size."

On the field, Jensen said Blakley is not really a rah-rah type of leader, but instead he leads by example.

Redding said Blakley's toughness is what made him such a great player.

"[Blakley] said he probably goes through three or four pairs of contact lenses a year," Redding said.

When his contacts get knocked out after a big hit, Redding said Blakley simply has spare sets on the sideline waiting.

"He's tough for being so small," Redding said. "I don't think he's missed a game in his career."

Indeed, Blakley has never sat out a Bulldog football game, and Ware said his work ethic has been key to his success and durability.

"Day after day, I've never had such a hard worker," Ware said. "Some guys will have a good practice, then a bad one, but he never has a bad practice."

Blakley recently was nominated for the Harlon Hill Award, the equivalent to the Division I Heisman Trophy.

"Again, it all really hasn't set in," Blakley said. "It's definitely been a bright spot in our season since we've been struggling lately."

Blakley's statistics have attracted attention of pro scouts, especially from the Arena League.

He said he'd be interested in furthering his football career at the professional level.

"I'll definitely pursue any options," Blakley said.

While the professional ranks possibly lie ahead for Blakley, one more game remains for the Truman star to leave his already sizable mark on the record books.

"Productivity wise, he's the best I've seen," Ware said. "Some guys have had more talent, but he's definitely made the most out of what he's had."

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