Sharon and Sanders in All Star game

[UK Peregrine]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?news ... 3125&rfi=6

Still in its infancy when compared to the other college all-star games that follow up the hectic bowl schedule every season, the Las Vegas All- American Classic gets a head start on the competition when East meets West at Sam Boyd Stadium on January 14th. Since beginning in 2002, the event has taken on a number of changes in a very short span, beginning as the Paradise Bowl in St. George, Utah. After two years the contest grew to the point where it needed a larger, more visible stage, which is why it moved to Sin City for the 2003 edition and subsequently changed its name. What makes this bowl so much different than the others is that it seeks to give recognition to the sort of programs that don't have a permanent spot in the national television schedule or can be seen much past their own local boundaries. Here is where tiny schools like Carroll College and Mississippi Valley State get to have players rub elbows with performers from power programs such as Georgia and USC. In response to having the Blue-Gray Game put on hold, the West All-Stars won the first game in the series over all-stars from Utah-Colorado in 2002, 33-30, in double-overtime. Last year the West won yet again, this time beating top competitors from the East in a 21-16 decision. The West's Team MVPs came from Air Force (Darnell Stephens) and Southern Miss (Antoine Cash), while the top player overall represented Arkansas as running back Decori Birmingham ran wild for an amazing 489 yards and all three of the team's touchdowns. Perhaps the most recognizable name on the East roster this year is Northwestern quarterback Brett Basanez, who fell short against nationally- ranked UCLA in the Sun Bowl in his final game with the Wildcats. Basanez, a wild gunslinger who isn't afraid to take chances in the pocket, finished with 3,622 yards and 21 touchdowns as he completed almost two-thirds of his passing attempts as a senior. Also listed as signal-callers for the squad are Kent Smith of Central Michigan and Tyler Emmert of Carroll College, the latter having led the Saints to their fourth straight NAIA title over St. Francis. Emmert completed 67 percent of his attempts for an amazing 32-7 touchdown-to- interception ratio. Running back Chris Barclay out of Wake Forest carried the ball 218 times this season for the Demon Deacons, resulting in 1,127 yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the ACC in rushing yards and attempts. Wideouts Steve Sanders and Charles Sharon represent the Mid-American Conference and Bowling Green, a couple of performers who benefited greatly from a productive passing game. Ironically, it was Sharon and not quarterback Omar Jacobs who was named the BGSU team MVP for 2005, after he set the school record with at least one catch in 48 straight games. On the defensive side of the ball for the East, Michigan's Pierre Woods should receive a good portion of the spotlight after he placed second on the Wolverines with 10 tackles for loss this season, despite making a total of just 24 stops for the Big Ten program. Also requiring some attention are three players from Miami, beginning with linebacker Leon Williams who placed fifth on the team this year with 54 tackles. Thomas Carroll, a defensive end, recorded 24 stops, of which six were for loss, while free safety Greg Threat generated 16 tackles in nine games. Some of the lesser-known members of the defense out to make a name for themselves include cornerback Marques Binn of Grambling State, who posted 36 tackles this season, as well as William & Mary corner Stephen Cason, who was a two-time All-A10 selection who totaled 65 tackles and four interceptions this season for the Tribe. Another curious name added to the mix is free safety Antwan Marsh who led NAIA's Pikeville College in tackles with 70 and also tied for the team lead with three picks and a pair of forced fumbles. With four quarterbacks included on the West roster, there are several different ways that the squad can approach this game. Coming out of the Mountain West Conference are representatives from Colorado State and Wyoming in Justin Holland and Corey Bramlet, respectively. Holland finished third in the MWC in passing with just over 265 ypg and was second with 23 touchdowns, while Bramlet placed fifth in the league in total offense with nearly 250 ypg. Checking in from tiny Linfield College is quarterback Brett Elliott who was named the top player at the Division III level this season. A two-time first- team All-American, Elliott threw for 110 touchdowns and nearly 9,000 yards in his two seasons with the program. Fresno State's Bryson Sumlin gives the West some punch coming out of the backfield after he gained 536 yards and scored five touchdowns on the ground for the Bulldogs. John David Washington comes in from Morehouse College where he accounted for a team-high 1,198 yards and nine touchdowns in 10 games. Wide receiver Jovon Bouknight gave Bramlet a steady target downfield for the Cowboys, placing third in the MWC with 77 catches for a league-high 12 touchdowns. Although he may not be a household name throughout the nation, playing for New Mexico State, middle linebacker Jimmy Cottrell certainly made the rest of the Western Athletic Conference stand up and take notice as he and his Aggies made a huge impression in their first year in the league. Cottrell wasted no time in being named Defensive Player of the Week in the WAC two straight weeks to begin the campaign, and finished with 179 total tackles to lead all of Division I-A. An All-WAC First-Team member, Cottrell is the only player in school history to lead the program in tackles for four consecutive years. Linebacker Roderkus Wright didn't make as big an impression nationwide as Cottrell, but the Grossmont College product was still a First-Team All- Foothill Conference member and a juco First-Team All-American. In 10 games this season, Valentine Chude ran wild for the Mustangs of Western New Mexico as he recorded team-highs with 108 tackles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries from his linebacker spot. Northern Colorado free safety Reed Doughty not only led I-AA in tackles this season with 159 and earned countless First-Team All-American honors, he was also a finalist for the Draddy Trophy, known as a Academic Heisman, as he carried a perfect 4.0 GPA. With the bigger names in college football heading to the more prestigious postseason all-star games, the Las Vegas All-American Classic gives the little guy a chance to show his wares to scouts who might not make it to their neck of the woods during the football season. Regardless of which side comes out on top, the focus should still be on the individuals and not the final score. Sports Network Predicted Outcome: West 24, East 17

[gayfalcon]

thanks so much for your support guys!

unfortunately in california the bgsu education is not as valued....

however i know i sure know more than any california educated student. they don't even know who john c fremont is. (and we have a street named after him)

[Bleeding Orange]

they don't even know who john c fremont is. (and we have a street named after him)

Well, he was illiterate. Maybe his annonymity is just historical karma biting him in the ass.

[ffejfalcon]

Did anyone watch this game? How did Chuck and Steve do?

[TG1996]

Did anyone watch this game? How did Chuck and Steve do?

Didn't watch, but they didn't get a mention in the wire story that came down about the game. As for the "live game stats" from the game's website, uh, that didn't happen.

[Redwingtom]

I have CSTV on Dish Network and I never a saw a listing for this game last weekend.

[UK Peregrine]

I haven't seen much on this game either. All I saw was that Steve Sanders converted a two point conversion. Other than that, I haven't seen anything on Sharon or the complete stats for either.

[hammb]

I haven't seen much on this game either. All I saw was that Steve Sanders converted a two point conversion. Other than that, I haven't seen anything on Sharon or the complete stats for either.

I STILL cannot find a darn thing about this game. I've been checking since Saturday afternoon. Their website that touts live in-game stats, has still not published the stats and it was 2 days ago. I cannot find anything on google news, or any mention of it the game on ESPN.com or other sports sites. Very strange...talk about your under the radar game.

[TG1996]

I STILL cannot find a darn thing about this game. I've been checking since Saturday afternoon. Their website that touts live in-game stats, has still not published the stats and it was 2 days ago. I cannot find anything on google news, or any mention of it the game on ESPN.com or other sports sites. Very strange...talk about your under the radar game.

Word I'm hearing is that Sharon caught a touchdown pass, but they got together and decided that his feet were past the line made up of the mailbox and the bush by the edge of the driveway, so he was out of bounds.

Sanders made a hell of a catch reaching over the front end of an '87 Buick, though!

[Warthog]

From Sunday's Las Vegas Review Journal

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/ ... 72276.html

Two defensive TDs for the East. East outgained the West like 300 yards to 100. No mention of Chuck or Steve.

[San Diego Falcon]

From Sunday's Las Vegas Review Journal

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/ ... 72276.html

Two defensive TDs for the East. East outgained the West like 300 yards to 100. No mention of Chuck or Steve.

I hear they hit it big at blackjack at Manday Bay and then got down at the Palms afterwards.

[theziggies]

Finally, stats

http://www.lvaac.com/post_game.html

[jacojdm]

Finally, stats

http://www.lvaac.com/post_game.html

this likely isn't a misprint...
Stadium: Sam Boyd Stadium Attendance: 0

[hammb]

Wow...tough to gain a read on anyone from those stats...looks like everyone on the roster caught one, and only one, pass. I was hoping the guys would be able to step up and dominate that game, but doesn't look like that was the case. Oh well, time to impress in workouts guys!

[BGGrad01]

Finally, stats

http://www.lvaac.com/post_game.html

Only one catch for each of them and Chuck had a fumble lost. Hopefully they can both impress in pre-draft workouts.