East Wins Asset Protect East-West Shrine Game
For More Information:
Noelle Anderson, (813) 281-8162, (813) 857-2949, nanderson@shrinenet.org
Jason Maderer, (321) 287-8275, jmaderer@orlandosports.org
ORLANDO (Jan. 23, 2010) — The lowest scoring East-West Shrine Game in nearly 20 years will be remembered as having one of the most exciting finishes in the 85-year history of the game. Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka threw the game-winning touchdown to Penn State tight end Andrew Quarless with six seconds left, leading the East to a 13-10 win over the West. The 23 combined points was the lowest total since the West won 14-6 in 1992.
“It’s funny because a lot of people think all-star games don’t mean a lot,” said Kafka, who was named the game’s Offensive Most Valuable Player after leading the 11-play, 55-yard winning drive. “But the guys on the sidelines want to go out there and get the win. The offensive line gave us good protection and he (Quarless) went up and got it.
The West took a 10-6 lead with 6:59 left in the game when BYU quarterback Max Hall found UCLA fullback Ryan Moya for an 8-yard touchdown pass.
“The competition was terrific,” said West Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer. “I thought it was as entertaining as any all-star game I’ve seen.”
Wisconsin linebacker O’Brien Schofield was named the game’s Defensive MVP with three tackles and an interception for the East.
The Asset Protect East-West Shrine Game, benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children, was held at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando for the first time. The game featured more than 100 of the nation’s top football all-stars. The week of events included practices, attended by scouts from all 32 NFL teams, and a visit to Shriners Hospitals for Children — Tampa.
“The kids are the winners,” said East Head Coach Romeo Crennel. “The game and the week are for them.”
Shriners Hospitals for Children is an international pediatric specialty health care system that provides expert care for orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate without financial obligation to patients or their families. The organization also conducts innovative research and provides medical education programs.
For more information, please visit www.shrinegame.com or www.shrinershospitals.org.
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