Red Flash DB MVP of Collegiate Bowl

San Jose State linebacker Isaiah Irving returned a fumble for a touchdown, and the Nationals college all-star team beat the Americans, 27-7, Saturday in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Carson, Calif.

Lorenzo Jerome of Saint Francis, Pa., had two interceptions for the Americans and was named MVP of the game. IUP guard Ethan Cooper, Pitt cornerback Ryan Lewis and West Virginia defensive back Jeremy Tyler played on the Nationals. The contest is a showcase for players who might be taken in the latter rounds of the NFL draft. The NFLPA said nearly 200 scouts attended.

The game was played at a nearly empty StubHub Center, the 27,000-seat soccer stadium that is scheduled to be the future temporary home of the San Diego Chargers.

The Nationals team, led by former Rams coach Mike Martz, took command on the first play of the second half when Irving scooped up a fumble and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown.

Miles Bergner’s 45-yard field goal made it 20-0 before another American turnover proved costly. Quarterback Ryan Higgins (Louisiana Tech) was picked off by Jamal Agnew (San Diego) to set up a 40yard drive. Running back Taquan Mizzell (Virginia) scored from 6 yards out.

Mizzel finished with 96 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. The Americans avoided a shutout with 3:06 to play when running back Teriyon Gipson (New Mexico) took a swing pass from Higgins and ran 13 yards up the sideline for the score.

East-West Shrine Game

Louisiana-Lafayette’s Elijah McGuire ran 18 yards for a touchdown, snapping a fourth-quarter tie and giving the West a 10-3 victory against the East in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Idaho’s Austin Rehkow kicked a 27-yard field goal in the opening quarter for the West, and North Carolina’s Nick Weiler countered with a 21-yarder in the second quarter for the East.