 Alridge was approached after the 2005 season and asked if he would be interested in playing significant time at running back.Alridge agreed and finished the 2006 season with 959 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on only 95 attempts for an NCAA Division 1-A leading rushing average of 10.1 yards per attempt.The Cougars went on to earn a Conference USA championship, and played against the SEC's South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2006 Liberty Bowl.