MOBILE, Ala. — The 67th Annual Senior Bowl was played Saturday as the final piece of a whirlwind weekend for elite college football players and the scouts working for NFL teams who could be looking to draft them this May.
While the final college football game of the season is usually the least important aspect of the week-long festivities, fans still come from around the country to pour into Ladd-Peebles Stadium to watch the best college football seniors play one more time.
The South team, coached by the Cleveland Browns coaching staff, came away with a 16-15 win over the North team, who were coached by the Chicago Bears staff. The South has now won three of the last four meetings in the series. The North was unable to completely capitalize on five forced turnovers, scoring only 12 points from them.
University of California quarterback Davis Webb came away with MVP Honors after leading the South to a victory on 11-of-16 passing for 165 yards and the game's first touchdown, a 39-yard bomb to Texas A&M's Josh Reynolds.
Running back Matt Dayes of NC State scored the South's other touchdown on a two-yard slice through the middle of the North's defensive line.
North kicker Zane Gonzalez tied a Senior Bowl record by connecting on three field goals to keep his squad in the game.
With just 1:51 remaining in the game, North quarterback Nate Peterman of Pittsburgh University found Eastern Carolina wide receiver Zay Jones on a crossing route in the back of the end zone to cut the score to 16-15.
Because no one wants to see a tie or overtime in the Senior Bowl, the Bears staff opted to attempt the two-point conversion for the win. Peterman lofted a prayer to the back of the end zone where it was intercepted to seal the South victory.
The University's of Alabama and Auburn were both represented in this year's contest. The Tide sent O.J. Howard on offense, Daphne High grad Ryan Anderson, Dalvin Tomlinson on defense and Cole Mazza on special teams, while the Tigers were represented by Montravius Adams (nine tackles in second half)on defense and Fairhope native Robert Leff.
Howard, believed by many to be the top prospect at the game, totaled 39 yards on four catches while playing much of the first half. Tomlinson chipped in four tackles. Adams tallied six tackles and recovered a fumble for the South.
After finishing the week of practices, interviews and the game, players will now go train to get ready for the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in March. The Senior Bowl is just the first step in the process for players attempting to make it to the NFL, but time and again it has proven to be a very important step. We'll have to wait to see who improved their stock and who teams fell in love with come the NFL Draft in May.
