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Nation towers over Texas: Visitors even score in all-star rivalry
By Matt Welch, mwelch@starlocalnews.com
A week's worth of practices, off-field workouts, interviews and other rigorous preparations culminated Saturday afternoon from Eagle Stadium in the sixth edition of Texas vs. The Nation.
Showcasing 110 of the country's top senior college football prospects, five days of nearly 15 hours worth of pregame work apiece were whittled into a 60-minute all-star game, with the Nation evening the series' overall count at 3-3 following its 24-13 victory.
"What a great week," said Bill Bates, Texas head coach. "All the people here in Allen have been so hospitable and done such a great job putting this event on, and it's only going to get better.
Saturday's kickoff was a cherry on top of the work provided by the players through game week. In the crosshairs of scouts with NFL, CFL and arena football all week, players were given ample opportunity to state their case for continuing football careers.
"It's an all-business atmosphere," said Uzoma Nwachukwu, Allen alum and Texas A&M senior. "You have to put your best foot forward and show scouts what you can do. In that aspect of it, I think I did pretty well."
Much of that audition came in practice, where Bates and Nation head coach Howard Schnellenberger put their respective talent in position to prove their worth to scouts.
"They battled and I know coach Schnellenberger did the exact same thing," Bates said. "They got a lot of 1-on-1 looks and that's what the NFL wants: to see how they really react and hit in pads."
Nwachukwu was one of several Metroplex alumni competing, in addition to McKinney native Evan Epstein (Oklahoma State), Coppell alum Devin Smith (Wisconsin), Mesquite native Skye Dawson (TCU) and North Mesquite alum Lanear Sampson (Baylor). Off the field, players were given a chance to let their personalities shine in talks with scouts, with came in abundance.
There was also plenty of socializing between the players.
"It was great to connect with players from other conferences and schools," Nwachukwu said. "Guys from Alabama, Baylor or Texas Tech; guys who you see on the field a lot but never really had a chance to get to know."
It was a steady build toward Saturday's game, which showed the pratfalls of giving players just three days to develop chemistry.
"It was kind of rough, but we kept fighting," Nwachukwu said. "It's hard to throw out a new offense and build chemistry with a new quarterback. But I thought we did well for not having known each other for that long."
A healthy connection was evident early between Nation quarterback Ryan Griffin (Tulane) and tight end Brian Leonhardt (Bemidji State), who hooked up three times for 43 yards on the game's opening drive, including a 15-yard touchdown that gave Nation a 7-0 lead just three minutes into the first quarter. Griffin threw for 214 yards, two touchdowns and won MVP honors. Top defensive honors were bestowed upon Nation defensive end Earl Okine (Florida), who extended Nation's lead to 17-0 in the second after returning a fumble 4 yards for a touchdown.
The Nation's defensive front overpowered Texas as Okine, Jared Smith (New Hampshire) and Romney Fuga (BYU) racked up sacks on the first three defensive series.
"For something like this," Bates said, "when you're running basic cover one and cover three, and running a basic offense with even players, it just comes down to who makes fewer mistakes and we made more than they did today."
Texas rallied for 13 straight after its defensive line took charge in the second half. Armonty Bryant (East Central Oklahoma) blocked a punt that set up a 1-yard touchdown run from Matthew Tucker (TCU) to bring Texas within 17-13 midway through the third. Bryant added a fumble recovery on a botched field goal attempt and a number of quarterback pressures, but Griffin got the last laugh in the fourth after connecting with Marcus Sales (Syracuse) for a 20-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach.
Nwachukwu paced the Texas receiving corps with three catches for 44 yards while Seth Doege (Texas Tech) added 78 yards and an interception through the air.
"When I had the opportunity to make a play, I had to make a play," Nwachukwu said. "I had to show the scouts what I could do and perform well in my last game at Eagle Stadium."
Now, all eyes turn toward further draft preparations.
Invitees will have a chance to shine at the NFL Combine on Feb. 20 and others will be in action at their respective school's pro days -- all in hopes of hearing their name called April 25-27 at the 2013 NFL Draft.
"I'm not sure on the combine yet," Nwachukwu said. "I just want to make sure I keep working out and keep my speed up and get ready for pro day."
"They've reached their dream of playing in a game like this," Bates added, "and hopefully they'll reach their dream to get a contract to play in the NFL."
For continued news and coverage on the local sports scene, follow @MWelchSCN on Twitter.
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