Mobile, Al – With the Reese’s Senior Bowl format of rotating quarterbacks, it can be difficult for the QB’s to get into a rhythm with their unfamiliar receiving core before their time is up.
For the North’s QB Daniel Jones (Duke) it didn’t seem to be an issue. Jones threw 8 of 11 for 115 yards, a rushing and a passing touchdown. Earning him the MVP of the game.
On what his game performance meant, Jones said, “Just showing the poise and showing kind of a comfort in the offense is something they wanted to see.”
The South jumped out to an early lead with QB Will Grier (W. Virginia) under center for the in the first quarter, throwing for 4 of 8 for 61 yards to put them up 9 to nothing.
Jones entered the game with only 1:35 left in the 2nd quarter and headed into the half down 3 to 12, but the third is were the North’s offense start to click under him.
In the first possession of the second half, he capped off a 10 play 84 yard series, by taking it into the end zone himself with a 1 yard run.
The North’s defense added to the momentum with Te’von Coney (Notre Dame) recovering a loose ball caused by Charles Omenihu’s (Texas) sack of QB Jarrett Stidham (Auburn).
Jones would take quick advantage of the turnover, with a 25 yard pass to wide receivers Terry McLaurin ( Ohio State) and a 19 yard TD pass to Andy Isabella (UMass)to make 17-12.
Isabella lead the North in receiving with 7 reception for 74 yards. Follow by WR Keelen Doss (UC Davis) 4 for 55 and McLaurin’s 4 for 53 yards.
North coach Jon Gruden remarked on the 2nd half turnaround and what he said in the locker room, “No adjustment. I told them just adjust your own mindset. Come out and finish with authority.”
The South would fight back in the fourth with QB Tyree Jackson (Buffalo) taking the snaps. Jackson would post the highest passing yards of the game, going 13 of 21 for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
The South would have a failed 2 point conversion for each of those fourth quarter TD’s. That, along with the North’s Finley’s (N Carolina State) 83 yards passing yards and the 2 rushing touchdowns of Tony Pollard (Memphis) and Dexter Williams (Notre Dame), the South could not make up the deference.
Coach Gruden said of his team, “Really proud of our players and our coaches. It’s fun to win no matter what the circumstances. The whole team impressed me.”
