Senior Bowl summary: American 10 - 20 National | NFL Draft prospects, stats, scores and highlights
The Nationals outlasted the Americans in College Football’s Senior Bowl. It was the final showcase for those hoping to give one last performance with the pads on before the NFL combine. Defense was the name of the game for the Nationals who shut down the American’s quarterbacks all night long in the 20-10 victory.
Winfrey wins MVP
Perrion Winfrey was named the MVP of the Senior Bowl after registering five tackles, two sacks and three tackles for a loss in the Nationals win. He joins a long list of MVP’s and hopes to have a similar career trajectory as Dan Marino, LaDanian Tomlinson, and Dak Prescott and other Senior Bowl Most Valuable Players.
Much of the attention was directed at the quarterbacks coming into Saturday’s showcase. The Nationals didn’t allow much on the offensive end especially in the first half. Malik Willis was shut down in the air, and was sacked three times, and held to 11 yards passing but had a big rush for 27 yards at the end of the first quarter to end his day on a positive note.
The Americans were led be Kenny Pickett in the opening part of the game. Pickett went 6/6 for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Ridder throws for two TDs
The Pittsburgh Panther sat after a successful first quarter, and allowed Desmond Ridder to take over in the second quarter. Ridder hit Trey McBride for a six yard touchdown to put the Nationals up 13-0 at the half.
The Americans needed a play on the defensive end to get their offense started. Alonte Taylor picked off Cameron Strong, which led to an 11 play, 60 yard drive capped off by Sam Howell’s 2 yard touchdown run.
Howell ended the day with 67 yards on 6/9 passing, and 29 yards rushing.
Combine coming at the beginning of March
The Nationals and Ridder got the ball back in the beginning of the fourth quarter, and marched down the field in three plays, going 66 yards and capping off the drive with a Jake Ferguson 25 yard TD reception.
That was enough to secure the win for the Nationals who ran the rest of the clock down with Rachaad White and Abram Smith who combined for 100 yards on 22 rushes on the day.
Following the Nationals' 20-10 win over the Americans in the 2022 Senior Bowl, AS USA's Gustavo García takes a look at who football fans should keep an eye out for ahead of the NFL Draft.
J.T. Woods says that will do it for this game with this last minute INT.
Ridder puts a lid on the game with this 20 yard TD reception.
Howell taking it to the house for a 2 yard TD for the first points of the American's day.
The mascots were half the show at the Senior Bowl. Excellent performance from the boys and girls in uniform.
Ridder to Trey McBride to make it a two score game.
Wilils remaining positive after a rough outing.
Willis didn't get too much happening on the offensive end, but he did break this big run right before getting subbed off.
Pickett to Smith for the first touchdown of the game.
WINFREY MVP!!!
Perrion Winfrey has been named the MVP of the Super Bowl after getting 5 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 tackles for a loss.
GAME OVER!!! THE NATIONALS WIN!!!
The Nationals defense, Pickett, and Rachaad White lead the orange team to victory.
On the next play, Zappe is picked off by Woods!!! That's going to do it from Mobile Alabama!!
Zappe converts on 4th and 22 with a strike to Austin III for 39 yards. And the Americans stay alive.
Zappe is 7/9 for 60 yards. When he's had time to throw he's done well.
What a run on 4th and 1 by Heyward. It may not amount for much in terms of the the result of the game, but he was stopped in the backfield and dragged three defenders over the marker for the first down.
Zappe isn't the only one, but he's been getting crushed by the Nationals D line.
They have got to the Americans QB, who ever it has been, and really made life difficult for all four quarter.
The Americans have three minutes to make up a 10 points deficit.
The Americans get a big hold to stay in the game to keep the Nationals out of the endzone and force a 24 yard field goal which was missed by Mevis.
For a kicker looking to raise his profile, missing that short field goal hurts.
The Nationals are inside the 10 again and looking to close the game out after a defensive pass interference.
1st and Goal from the 4. A touchdown will end it.
Zappe has a real chance to show his comeback ability in the final quarter, but that first drive after the touchdown ends in a three and out after a sack on third down.
The Nationals are back in possestion with great field position.
TOUCHDOWN NATIONALS!!!
Ferguson on the crossing route punches it in from 25 yards on the catch and run.
That puts the Nationals up by two scores, just when it looked like the Americans were getting back into the game.
White is still in the game and continues to look like the best player of the field. HE just broke a run for 18 yards to get the Nationals in to the red zone.
We are at the end of the 3rd quarter and things started to tighten up after half time.
Nationals lead 13-10 heading into the fourth.
FIELD GOAL!!!
Just when it looked like the Americans could take the lead, but the offensive line lets them down yet again. Zappe was dropped in the backfield and the Americans settle for the field goal.
They have to chip into the Nationals lead with a Dicker field goal from 38 yards.
The record breaker, Zappe, is in for the Americans and he is marching them right down the field.
A Pledger run for 23 yards set up a 32 yard pass from Zappe to Jones.
Strong and the Nationals are whistled for two straight penalties and and their drive comes to a quick end. Great field poistion for the Americans who have a chance to take the lead.
The tides look like they are changing in Moblie.
TOUCHDOWN AMERICANS!!!
Howell takes it from the shot gun on a designed run for a two yards TD run.
The interception started the drive and they get their first 7 points by running the rock.
Seven straight runs for the Americans has them inside the 5 with a 1st and Goal. This is better from a team who looked out of options and out muscled in the first half.
Howell is still of the field for the Americans. He's 5/8 for 48 yards so far.
INTERCEPTION!!!
The first big play of the game for the American team!!! Strong is picked off by Taylor down the right sideline.
Will that be the play that sparks the offense? They take over from around midflield.
Howell starts the second half under center, but again the Americans get nothing going on the offensive end.
No one on either side of the ball has been too outstanding for the Americans.
Nothing comes of the first drive of the second half for the Nationals. Let's see if the Americans can get something going to start the second half.
Their O line needs to step up if they want any chance of getting on the board.
Trouble on the second snap under center for Nevada's Carson Strong who fumbled the exchange.
On the next pay the Nationals return to the run and get 8 yards.
We are back under way for the second half of action from Mobile Alabama.
White for the opening TD of the game.
Pickett shines in his first quarter, throwing 6/6 for 89 yards and a TD, and Howell had 48 yards on 5/8 passing.
Willis didn't get anything going in the air, but ran for 48 yards, while Smith had 55 total yards, 35 yards rushing, 20 through the air and 1 TD.
The National defense steps up on the last play of the first half and strip sacks Howell.
That winds the first half clock down and the Nationals are in control heading into the half time break.
Howell showing some mobility and some smarts, He evades the pressure on 3rd and 1 and gets out of bounds to stop the clock.
Howell may have just one more chance to impress before the half. He's 3/4 so far, and has 1:11 to get the Americans on the board.
TOUCHDOWN NATIONALS!!!
Ridder to McBride for the 6 yard touchdwon and the Nationals are starting to run away.
They go for the two point conversion, but a fumble on the exchange forces Smith to be stopped short.
Smith is having himself a day. He's got 35 yards rushing and 20 yards and a touchdown through the air.
He's got the Natiionals inside the 10 with a 1st and Goal.
Smith, the only one with a TD today, takes it 11 yards, and it's evident that the National team has a superior offensive line.
The running backs have been enjoying themselves against this American defense.
White is getting the running game going for the Nationals, and that will open up some things down field for Ridder.
Melton wtih quite a return on the punt sets up the Nationals with great field poisition again.
Here comes Ridder and the rest of the gang looking to extend the lead.
The offensive line continues to struggle for the American side, and this time is Howell who is paying the price. The Americans go three and out, and give credit to the Nationals defense.
It's a rough ask to drop back behind this offensive line of the Americans at the moment.
It took a whole quarter, but Willis broke free and busted a big run.
Pickett to Smith for the opening TD of the game.
Not much going on Ridder's first drive. The Nationals go three and out after a false start penalty.
We have seen some pretty sloppy play to begin the game, which is normal for two teams that was thrown together three days ago.
Cincinnati's Ridder will be under center as Pickett's day has come to and end.
The second quarter starts, and we have our first change. Both teams switch up their offense and defense.
Remember, at the end of every quarter we start from scratch, as if it was a change of half.
There wasn't much for a game outside of Willis scrambling, and even less on through the air.
Frustrating first quarter for the Americans.
Nothing was working for the American team, but at the end of the first quarter Willis goes deep and draws a defensive pass interference good for 41 yards.
After the big gain from the penalty, Willis tucks and runs for 27 yards. That was the best play of the first 15 for the American side, but no one else really got a chance to shine.
TOUCHDOWN NATIONALS!!!
Smith takes it out of the backfield from the Pickett pass and goes 20 yards for the TD.
Great end to the 1st quarter for the Nationals. Give credit to the defense for setting them up in great field position.
Pickett hits Watson down the sideline, and there we have our first glimpse of the college kids having to adjust to NFL rules.
Watson hit the deck after the catch, but wasn't touched and continued down the field.
Wiliis gets sacked again, and that forces a punt that gives the National team great field position.
Pickett will take over from midfield. Let's see if this drive gives us out first bit of action.
Willis has not been allowed to throw the football, because his offensive line has been doing him no favors. He was forced to run again and this time he got facemasked twice.
One thing no one wants to see is someone getting injured in a game like this.
Willis is showing some good mobility in the pocket, but has struggled completing passes on the run.
Escaping the rush is great, but mobile quarterbacks have to be able to throw on the run at the next level.
Here comes Willis and the Americans for their second drive of the first quarter.
These games usually are pretty open, but start a bit tentitively. Let's see if things open up as we approach the second quarter.
Pickett and the Nationals are stopped after he is sacked for a loss of 7 yards.
Both teams move the chains, but have their drives stopped short.
Jones Jr. was playing the most dangerous game returning the punt for the Americans. He caught it inside the five and ran all the way into the endzone to wind up at the 7.
The National team takes over from inside their 10 yard line and it's Pickett under center to start. He hits Ferguson for 14 yards and a first down to move the chains for the first time.
Time will be limited for everyone as coaches look to get everyone their time in the spotlight. Pickett and the rest of the guys on the field will have to make the most of each and every play today
An offensive pass interference flag stops the American teams progress down the field.
Every flag, every mistake, every drop of bad play will stick in the minds of these youngsters.
Willis threw for 2,800 yards for 27 TD's and 12 INTs. with a passer rating of 151.
A lot has been talked of Malik Willis, he can run, he can throw, and he knows that all eyes are on him. It's time to shine for the LIberty QB.
We are underway in the 73rd Senior Bowl from Mobile, Alabama. The American team starts off with some trickery, trying the reverse on the opening kickoff, but it didn't amount to much. They start their possession from inside the 15.
Coverage has started from Alabama. After three days of practice, it is go time.
Never been one for sweets, but all this talk about the Reese's Senior Bowl is stirring up quite a hankering for a peanut butter cup.
One of the top names in today's showcase showdown.
We are 20 minutes away from kick off
Senior Bowl over 70 years old
The first Senior Bowl was played on January 7th, 1950 at University of Florida's Gator Bowl
Names and faces to watch out for today
This draft class isn't as loaded as last year's at the quarterback position, but there are some big names headlining today's Senior Bowl. North Carolina's Sam Howell, Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett, and Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder.
Here's the whole list of players prime to have a big day from Mobile, Alabama
How and when to watch
Held in Mobile, Alabama, the Senior Bowl is the all-star game for college football, and is seen as the unofficial start of the NFL Draft season. It had traditionally been held in January since its inception in 1950, but this year it has been pushed back a week because of changes in the NFL calendar.
Here's everything you need to know about how to watch today's Senior Bowl
Mobile, Alabama home of the Senior Bowl
Hello everyone and welcome to Alabama where THE college football All-Star game will be kicking off within the hour. Some of the biggest names in the NCAA this season will be featured in this final tune up before the NFL Combine.
Senior Bowl
It's the final showcase for up and coming NFL hopefuls from Mobile, Alabama as the American and National Team will square off this afternoon. AS English will be with you every step of the way providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis from Hancock Whitney Stadium.