College Football

NFLPA Collegiate Bowl 2014 final score: Connor Shaw throws pick, but National Team wins again, 31-17

While Connor Shaw looked solid, he had an interception for the National Team in its 31-17 victory over the American Team in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Saturday.

by James Brady

Jan 19, 2014, 2:22 AM UTC

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is in the books, and the National Team has, once again, won. The National Team took down the American Team, 31-17, with a strong second-half showing. Since the bowl was established in 2012, the National Team has won every game.

South Carolina’s Connor Shaw was considered the biggest name heading into this game. He’s projected to be a late-round pick after a very solid season in which he completed 63 percent of his passes with 24 touchdowns against just a single interception. He’s been regarded as a solid backup option or developmental quarterback.

At the half, Shaw had just two pass attempts for 22 yards, but he got a few more attempts in the second half. In the end, he finished having completed five of six passes for 70 yards with an interception. Overall he looked good, probably good enough to warrant a late-round pick, as previously suspected.

J.C. Copeland had two carries for two yards and two touchdowns for the National Team, but that was all, so it wasn't really much of a showcase of talent. Instead, Anthony Wilkerson of the Stanford Cardinal put up the yardage, with seven carries for 65 yards and a touchdown of his own. He should have his name called on draft day, though he too is a late-round hopeful.

Ohio State’s Kenny Guiton was also listed as a quarterback worth watching. He wasn’t a starter, but he played in nine games in 2013, putting up 749 passing yards, 330 rushing yards and 19 total touchdowns. He didn’t get much of an opportunity to play in the bowl, though, completing just one of his four pass attempts for 9 yards.

On the American side, Roy Finch looked exceptional. The Oklahoma product isn't the biggest running back, but many have compared him favorably to Darren Sproles, and he looked the part. His evasive, quick-twitch style allowed him to put up 60 yards on 14 carries, though he was stymied in the second half.

Fresno wide receiver Isaiah Burse displayed a similar quick-twitch style. He's a bit undersized, but should be a slot receiver in the NFL. He had four receptions for 50 yards for the National team.

On the defensive side, BooBoo Gates -- yes, that's his name -- drew an awful lot of attention. He had a solid interception of Kolton Browning in the second quarter and was noted for being around the ball on multiple plays throughout the game. He was off the radar of most, but may have earned himself the honor of having his name called on draft day, though he would obviously be a late-round pick.