FCS quarterback steals show, leads South in Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. — Kyle Lauletta more than held his own in elite quarterback company.

A standout at Football Championship Series Richmond, Lauletta threw three second-half touchdown passes and Texas-San Antonio’s Marcus Davenport scored on a 19-yard fumble recovery to lead the South team to a 45-16 victory over the North in the Senior Bowl on Saturday.

Lauletta capped the weeklong audition for NFL teams in strong fashion, thriving amid more heralded passers from the North team. That group included Oklahoma Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield and Wyoming’s Josh Allen, a potential No. 1 overall draft pick who also had a huge third quarter.

“We knew that we were underdogs coming into the game for whatever reason,” said Lauletta, chosen as the game’s Most Valuable Player. “I guess that kind of motivated us. We knew that those quarterbacks on the other side were getting all the attention. So we just went out there and played our game. We did what we know how to do.”

Lauletta completed 8 of 12 passes for 198 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown strike to Louisiana State’s DJ Chark and some other nice downfield throws. Davenport, projected as a likely first-rounder and potential Top 10 pick, scooped up a fumble forced by Mississippi’s Marquis Haynes to punctuate a big third quarter.

Allen finished 9-of-13 passing for 158 yards, all but 14 coming in the third quarter, along with a pair of touchdowns. Mayfield played only the North’s first two drives, going 3 of 7 for 9 yards. He left before the second half to fly to Austin, Texas, to be with his ailing mother.

Mayfield was named the game’s top quarterback after the practice sessions led by the Denver Broncos staff. Team officials requested him for the North squad.