The Associated Press Jonathan Wells is
stopped by Kenyon Coleman (rear) and Andre
Lott (30).
By Hannah Gordon
Daily Bruin Reporter
MOBILE, Ala. “”mdash; It only seemed right for the South to
defeat the North on Mobile Alabama’s tricentennial, but they
could not have done it without enlisting five of Westwood’s
finest.
Defensive linemen Kenyon Coleman and Ken Kocher, defensive back
Marques Anderson, tight end Bryan Fletcher, and tailback DeShaun
Foster marched on the field for the 53rd annual Senior Bowl to
assist a 42-26 victory.
“They (the UCLA players) were tremendous,” the
NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, and this weekend’s South head
coach, Dave McGinnis said. “It is a credit to UCLA to have so
many good players.”
The South scored first on a field goal but the North responded
on its opening series with a touchdown pass to Indiana’s
Antwaan Randle El with 10 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
However, once the South went up 10-7 on a reverse to
Alabama’s Freddie Milons, they never lost the lead again.
The South defense dominated when Kocher and Coleman were on the
line and Anderson prowled the backfield or matched up on a tight
end at strong safety. Anderson only saw six series due to heavy
rotation and a slightly strained hamstring. Yet he made plays.
With 7:26 in the third quarter the North tried a two-point
conversion at 31-19 to come within a touchdown and a field goal.
Anderson, who finished with three tackles and two passes broken up,
dashed their hopes as he batted down the ball.
“I was pleased. I got to show my versatility,” said
Anderson, who played both corner and safety in practice before
scouts and played corner three weeks ago at the East-West Shrine
Game.
“He is equally adept at (corner and safety),”
McGinnis said. “You gotta be able to play both in this league
when a team can only keep seven or eight defensive
backs.”
The players enjoyed having their teammates with them.
“It was really neat,” Kocher said, “I felt
more comfortable having Kenyon next to me on the line.”
But that comfort was cut short when Coleman sprained his left
ankle in the third quarter and had to leave the game.
“I engaged with an offensive lineman and someone rolled
over my ankle,” Coleman said. “Hopefully I will recover
by the combine. During the week I think I helped myself in the
draft.”
By the time Coleman left, the South was well in control thanks
to execution on both sides of the ball.
Foster saw limited time but played well, gaining 20 yards
rushing and 41 receiving. Although Fletcher was not passed to, he
blocked well on special teams and at tight end and got open on his
pass routes.
“That (not being passed to) is okay,” Fletcher said,
“I caught a lot in practice.”
As Fletcher noted, the game is somewhat anti-climactic since
almost all the scouts leave on Thursday. But that didn’t stop
46,000 Mobilians from celebrating Southern victory. And they
don’t mind if a few Southern Californians join in.