Another collegiate all-star game is in the books, but this Southern California battle is unique because it’s a child of the National Football League players union and may be a big boost for the hopes of college stars dreaming about the NFL.
The game is organized by the NFL Players Association, the union representing the league’s players. Nearly 150 players from previous NFLPA games are now with NFL teams, according to Teri Smith, the union’s deputy managing director.
The union also conducts educational seminars — dubbed NFLPA U — on the nights leading up to the game where players learn about agents, financial management and “rising to (the)professional ranks,” Smith told City News Service.
Game week activities also included a panel discussion with active NFL players “so that the collegiate players can get the real deal about joining the NFL,” Smith said.
In this latest edition of the game, Taquan Mizzell of Virginia ran for 93 yards on 10 carries including third-quarter touchdown as Team National defeated Team American, 27-7, Saturday in the sixth annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl college football all-star game at StubHub Center.
St. Francis (Pennsylvania) defensive back Lorenzo Jerome was selected as the game’s MVP for making two interceptions for Team American.
Team National, coached by former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz for the third consecutive year, scored on the game’s opening series, driving 88 yards on 14 plays, with quarterback Philip Nelson of East Carolina running the final yard for the score.
Miles Bergner of South Dakota kicked a 27-yard field goal one minute, 51 seconds before halftime for the second quarter’s only points.
San Jose State linebacker Isaiah Irving recovered a fumble by Louisiana Tech quarterback Ryan Higgins on the first play of the second half and returned in 15 yards for a touchdown.
Bergner kicked a 45-yard field goal on Team National’s next possession.
Mizzell ran six yards for a touchdown nine plays after cornerback Jamal Agnew of San Diego intercepted a pass by Higgins and returned it two yards to the Team American 40-yard line.
Sean Maguire of Florida State threw a 13-yard pass to Teriyon Gipson of New Mexico with 3:06 left for the only touchdown for Team American, coached by former Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn.
Team National has won all six games. The rosters are divided by the game’s scouts in an attempt to achieve competitive balance.
— City News Service