The Senior Bowl, in the past, has been described as a week where “the game doesn’t really matter,” by the time certain players opt out and some NFL scouts start to leave Mobile, Alabama, after the three days of practice.
But that wasn’t the case for Saturday’s rendition, the 75th anniversary of the game.
Some players, like Washington State’s Chau Wade-Smith, wanted to put on a performance for the city of Mobile.
And he did, with a pair of interceptions – including one where he almost scored a pick-6, despite hesitating as he fell to the ground after he initially picked off the ball. Wade-Smith, momentarily, forgot that the Senior Bowl uses NFL rules, where a player has to be downed by contact, compared to college.
As Wade-Smith got up to celebrate, his teammates immediately started yelling, “Go, go, go,” he told reporters after the game. He got up, broke one tackle and ran toward the right sideline, before cutting back and getting to the 1-yard line after being stopped from behind by Texas Christian University running back Emani Bailey.
“That’s never good when you’re a skill player,” Wade-Smith said with a laugh, referring to being caught by Bailey. “I talked to a few guys after, and they said I was in after the replay. … I’m going to count it as a pick-6 either way.”
Former LSU and Navarre High School DL Jordan Jefferson (99) tries to get past National Team offensive line during the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024.
Wade-Smith propelled the National team to a 16-7 victory over the American on Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama.
“It’s awesome, being able to play in a game on the 75th anniversary,” said USC quarterback Spencer Rattler, who was named the Senior Bowl MVP despite being on the losing side….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/great-week-together-national-beats-101745024.html
Author : Pensacola News Journal
Publish date : 2024-02-04 10:17:45
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