Northern Illinois University Athletics

2021
•    After suffering a knee injury late in 2021 spring practice, sat out the season while going through rehab. 

2020
• Third team All-MAC selection.
• Appeared in five games, making four starts.
• Finished third on the team with 36 total tackles, with a team-high 22 assists.
• Notched a season-high 14 tackles against Central Michigan (11-11).
• Had nine-tackle games against Ball State (11-18) and Eastern Michigan (12-12).
• Academic All-MAC honoree.

2019
• Started the first two games of the season at linebacker before suffering a season-ending injury.
• Made five tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, in the season opener against Illinois State (8-31).
• Recorded 1.5 tackles for loss at Utah (9-7) and four total tackles.

2018
• Second team All-MAC middle linebacker ranked second on the team in tackles with a career-best 106 despite playing through injury much of the year.
• Tallied eight or more stops in eight games and had at least six in every game he played.
• Credited with nine tackles and a pass break-up in NIU’s MAC Championship game win over Buffalo (11-30).
• Made a season-high nine solo tackles to lead NIU at WMU (11-20) and eight of his nine tackles versus Ohio (10-13) were solos.
• Posted nine tackles vs. Miami (11-14) and was in on a TFL.
• Led NIU in tackles vs. Ohio, BYU, Akron and Toledo.
• Recorded his first career solo sack vs. Toledo (11-7); added two TFLS, and eight tackles.
• Tied his season-high for tackles with 10 with 1.5 for loss, half a sack and a pass break up at Akron (11-1)
• Made seven stops at BYU and at Eastern Michigan (9-29).
• Made a season-high 10 tackles at Ball State (10-6) and recovered a fumble.
• Missed the Florida State (9-22) game due to injury.
• Made six stops versus CMU (9-15) with a fumble recovery.
• Led the Huskies with nine stops, six solo, at Iowa (9-1).
• Came back with six tackles, one for loss, versus Utah (9-8).

2017
• Made 35 tackles in four games as the Huskies’ starting middle linebacker to open the year.
• Had a career-high 17 tackles against Boston College (9-1) in season opener.
• Also picked off his first career pass against BC.
• Made 11 tackles in NIU’s upset win at Nebraska (9-16) with a pass breakup.
• Credited with a tackle for loss at San Diego State (9-30). 
• Was playing the best football of his career before suffering a season-ending arm injury in fourth quarter at San Diego State, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season.

2016
• Appeared in last 10 games of the year as a back-up middle linebacker and on special teams.
• Earned Academic All-MAC honors.

2015
• Redshirted.

High School
• Star linebacker at Bloom Township.
• As a senior, compiled 112 tackles and recovered four fumbles to help the Trojans reach the Illinois 8A playoffs.
• 2014 Southtown Star first team All-Area choice and an All-Area honoree by the Chicago Sun Times as a senior.
• All-Southland Conference selection in 2014 as well.
• As a junior, tallied 105 tackles, earning Southtown Star All-Area honors.

Personal
• Born March 3, 1997, in Chicago, Ill.
• Son of Darryl and Pamela Pugh.
• Sport and Exercise Psychology major.

Pugh's Single Game Career Highs
Total Tackles: 17 (Boston College 9-1-17)
Tackles for Loss: 2 (Toledo 11-7-18)
Sacks: 1.0 (Toledo 11-7-18)
Interceptions: 1 (Boston College 9-1-17)
Pass Break-Ups: 1 (Nebraska 9-16-17, Akron 11-1-18, Buffalo 11-30-18)