Current:Home > FinanceSmith-Wade delivers big play on defense, National beats American 16-7 in Senior Bowl-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Smith-Wade delivers big play on defense, National beats American 16-7 in Senior Bowl
View Date:2024-12-24 07:07:23
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Washington State cornerback Chau Smith-Wade returned an interception 83 yards in the final two minutes to set up a decisive score and secure the National’s 16-7 victory over the American team in the Senior Bowl on Saturday.
In a game dominated by the defenses, Smith-Wade sprawled out to pick off a deep ball from Tennessee’s Joe Milton III. He hesitated momentarily before realizing he wasn’t officially down under NFL rules.
Then he shook off one tackle attempt on the right sideline and cut back across the field before TCU running back Emani Bailey stopped him at the 1 with 1:38 left.
“I got up and it’s not college anymore where you’re down,” said Smith-Wade, who was named the National’s player of the game. “You’ve got to be down by contact now. So I got up, I started to celebrate a little bit and my teammates were like, ‘Go, go, go.’”
The offense couldn’t punch it in, but Joshua Karty of Stanford made his third field goal, scoring on kicks of 19, 37 and 52 yards.
Smith-Wade got his second pick on a Hail Mary pass into the end zone by Tulane’s Michael Pratt.
It wasn’t a big game for the quarterbacks, with the top-rated passers seeing only limited action in the game for NFL prospects.
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. opted not to play. The Heisman Trophy runner-up did participate in practices this week after leading the Huskies to the national championship game.
Fellow Pac-12 Conference star Oregon’s Bo Nix, who was third in the Heisman voting, played only two series. So did South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler for the American team.
Nix, who started his career a few hours away at Auburn, completed 4 of 5 passes for 21 yards in two series. His final play was a 2-yard touchdown to Minnesota tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford when he rolled out before firing up the middle. It was the team’s only TD.
“He’s just absolutely a winner,” said National coach Jeff Ulbrich, the New York Jets defensive coordinator.
Rattler completed all four of his attempts for 65 yards and earned Game MVP honors in the loss. He capped his first drive with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Georgia’s Marcus-Rosemy-Jacksaint in a connection between Southeastern Conference Eastern Division rivals.
“I felt like I wanted to come out here, create relationships and have fun,” Rattler said. “This was just the cherry on top.”
None of the other quarterbacks was as effective.
Milton was 9-of-13 passing for 80 yards for the American team but was intercepted twice.
Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman played most of the way for the National team. He went 7 of 25 for 69 yards with an interception.
TCU’s Bailey had four runs and a catch totaling 35 yards on the American team’s first five plays. He finished with 53 yards on 10 carries and four catches for another 34 yards.
Georgia defensive back Tykee Smith was the American team’s MVP after breaking up three passes.
Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske switched sides Saturday morning to the National team because of roster attrition. He had four tackles, 1 1/2 tackles for loss and was in on a sack.
It was the game’s first sellout since 2010, when Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was on the roster. Players wore helmets with stickers featuring a parrot drinking a margarita to honor the late Mobile native Jimmy Buffett.
___
AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
veryGood! (864)
Related
- Man jailed after Tuskegee University shooting says he fired his gun, but denies shooting at anyone
- Dismayed by Moscow’s war, Russian volunteers are joining Ukrainian ranks to fight Putin’s troops
- University of Arizona announces financial recovery plan to address its $240M budget shortfall
- Bank of England is set to hold interest rates at a 15-year high despite worries about the economy
- John Krasinski Details Moment He Knew Wife Emily Blunt Was “the One”
- The Scarf Jacket Is Winter’s Most Viral Trend, Get It for $27 With These Steals from Amazon and More
- In 'The Boy and the Heron,' Hayao Miyazaki looks back
- Bodies of 2 hostages recovered in Gaza, Israel says
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Mixed Use
- Julia Roberts on where her iconic movie characters would be today, from Mystic Pizza to Pretty Woman
Ranking
- Voters in California city reject measure allowing noncitizens to vote in local races
- In 'The Boy and the Heron,' Hayao Miyazaki looks back
- Father, stepmother and uncle of 10-year-old girl found dead in UK home deny murder charges
- British teenager who went missing 6 years ago in Spain is found in southwest France, reports say
- NFL power rankings Week 11: Steelers, Eagles enjoying stealthy rises
- Bernie Sanders: We can't allow the food and beverage industry to destroy our kids' health
- Federal prosecutors to retry ex-Louisville police officer in Breonna Taylor civil rights case
- Man charged with murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll
Recommendation
-
Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn is ending her retirement at age 40 to make a skiing comeback
-
Oprah Winfrey opens up about using weight-loss medication: Feels like relief
-
Judge in Trump's 2020 election case pauses proceedings amid dispute over immunity
-
Court voids fine given to Russian activist for criticizing war and sends case back to prosecutors
-
Republican Scott Baugh concedes to Democrat Dave Min in critical California House race
-
With death toll rising, Kenyan military evacuates people from flood-hit areas
-
The Dodgers are ready to welcome Shohei Ohtani to Hollywood
-
Who are the Von Erich brothers? What to know about 'The Iron Claw's devastating subject