The 87th annual East-West Shrine game is on tap this weekend at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, as the nation’s longest running all-star game traditionally showcases NFL stars of the future, while providing a huge benefit to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
East-West Shrine Game 2012: Game Preview
There have certainly been some legendary coaches patrolling the sidelines at this event, with big names such as Don Shula, Paul “Bear” Bryant and Steve Spurrier running things over the years.
This year’s squads will feature Bobby Ross leading the East team and Brad Childress running things for the West.
The all-time series has the West holding a 45-36-5 advantage, although the East has won each of the last three contests.
The offense for the East will be led by a trio of interesting quarterbacks. Chattanooga's B.J. Coleman is the FCS's contribution under center. He will be joined by more household commodities in Florida's John Brantley and Southern Miss' Austin Davis. Of the three, Davis certainly had the most productive season. The talented gunslinger threw for almost 3,500 yards in 2011, with 30 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. He also added 352 yards rushing and four more scores. A great story, Davis was named the 2011 Bulsworth Trophy, given annually to the nation's most outstanding player that started his career as a walk-on.
The stable of quarterbacks for the West is a strong bunch, comprised of Northwestern's Dan Persa, Northern Illinois' Chandler Harnish and Colorado's Tyler Hansen. Harnish had a huge season in 2011, as only Heisman winner Robert Griffin and Houston's Case Keenum had more total offensive yards this year. Harnish threw for 3,216 yards and 28 TDs, while rushing for 1,379 yards and 11 more scores, en route to being named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year.
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