National Team Defeats American Team 20-14 in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl

Story by L.T. Willis

The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Game had great weather for fans
to come out and support. Rams fans showed their support for
for former assistant coach Dick Vermeil. All photos are
by Eric Wade/T.G. Sports.





It was a beautiful day in Carson for some football as the 2012 Inaugural Astro Turf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Game was about to get started. During the media day for this event  Carl Francis  Director of Communications for the NFLPA had ask us to pray for some great weather and prayers were answer as the sun was out and the game was finally here. Tom Flores leading his team out on the field and Dick Vermeil gave you the feeling that pro football in Los Angeles was on it's way back.

Tom Flores leading his American Team squad on to the field.

The National team got on the score board first when the University of Miami's quarterback Jacory Harris drove the offense down the field and Washington's Eric Folks kicked a 26 yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead in the game. You could tell that both teams were trying to establish a running game first to get a rhythm going. The National Team defense came out hitting hard to set the tone for the game. The American Team offense just seem they could not get anything going early in the game. The National Team scored again when Syracuse running back Antwon Bailey scored on a eight yard touchdown run to make the score 10-0.

University of Miami's quarterback # 1 Jacory Harris starts the game
for the National Team.

Syracuse's #26 Antwon Bailey had a nice first half and scored a
touchdown and the National Team now led 10-0.



Late in the second quarter the National Team recovered a fumble by UNLV's B.J. Bell when Jared Green wide receiver from Southern miss handle the ball on a end and around and the National Team had the ball near the twenty yard line. Moments Later Tulsa's  quarterback G.J.Kinne on a keeper ran up the middle and now the National Team led the American Team 17-0. Jarrett Lee would get another chance as the American Team offense was on the move and got on the  score board with about 1:50 left in the second quarter connected with Hampton's wide receiver Isaiah Thomas on a thirteen yard touch down pass in the back of the end zone.

USC's wide receiver # 82 Brandon Carswell picks up extra
yardage after a catch in the first half,



LSU # 6 Jarrett Lee has the American Team offense driving for
a score to get back into the game.





In the third quarter the American Team's defense begin to tighten up and put the clamps on the National Team offense trailing 17-7 after a late score in the second quarter the gave their offense great field position late in the third quarter that would help set up another scoring drive. American Team quarterback Bo Mitchell from Eastern Washington connected on a eleven yard touchdown pass to Oregon's Lavasier Tuinel and cut the lead to 17-14 and now the National Team was in a dog fight.

Oregon's wide receiver # 85 scores on a touchdown pass from
quarterback Bo Mitchell and now American Team
is now trailing 17-14.

Washington State's linebacker Alex Hoffman intercepted one of the
two passes from quarterback Nick Stephen/Tarleton State.





Early in the fourth quarter Washington's Eric Folk kicked another field goal to push the National Team lead up to 20-14. Bo Mitchell had the American Team driving again how ever he was intercepted by Washington State's linebacker Alex Hoffman who save what could have been a tying or go ahead score for the American Team. The American Team defense held and got the ball back to their offense scored on another touchdown pass  from Mitchell to Miami's wide receiver Aldarius Johnson was nullified by a holding penalty.



The National Team defeated the American Team 20-14 in the
NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Game.



The American Team still had a chance to tie or take the lead in the game but  quarterback Nick Stephens from Tarleton State was picked off again this time by cornerback Jonte Green from New Mexico State. Despite the two interceptions the American Team still had hope as they were driving inside the National Team's side of the field on a big fourth down Baylor's Tracy Robertson sacked quarterback Nick Stephen and seal the victory for the National Team as Dick Vermeil and his team defeated the American Team 20-14.



NFLPA's president DeMaurice Smith presents
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Game trophy to
the National Team's Coach Dick Vermeil.





DeMaurice Smith, Carl Francis, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Game Committee, and the entire staff of coaches have put together a wonderful event at the Home Depot Center in Carson giving hope to fans in Los Angeles that pro football will be coming to our city  very soon .You can check out all the post game interviews on our YouTube channel at TGSportstv. All photos and video are by Eric Wade/T.G. Sports and EW Gems Images.