Gordon well worth the wait

QB leads North to win with 3 2nd-half TDs

MOBILE, Ala. — Washington State quarterback Anthony Gordon is used to waiting his turn.

Gordon, who didn’t start until his senior year, led the North to three touchdowns in the third quarter in a 31-17 victory over the South in the Senior Bowl on Saturday.

The Cougars’ prolific passer entered the all-star game for senior NFL prospects after halftime and twice took the North downfield.

“I came out swinging when it was my time,” said Gordon, who wore the No. 3 jersey in honor of late Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski. “I guess that kind of correlates to my time at Washington State. I spent a lot of time waiting, but when my time came, I was ready.”

Gordon, who finished second nationally in passing yards and touchdowns, completed 8 of 12 passes for 69 yards and two short touchdowns. That included a 2-yard touchdown pass to Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool for a second straight big thirddown completion.

An off-balance Gordon then hit Liberty’s Antonio Gandy-Golden late in the third for a 5-yard TD. It was set up with an interception by Troy Pride Jr. of Notre Dame.

“My baseball background allows me to throw the ball from some unorthodox angles, and AGG making that play for me was big time,” Gordon said.

The former high school baseball player backed up Luke Falk and Gardner

Minshew before getting his turn.

The game’s most highly touted passer, Justin Herbert of Oregon, shined for the South and was named game MVP.

The likely first-round pick was 9 of 12 for 83 yards and a touchdown, all in the first quarter, and added a 19-yard run.

“In this day and age in the NFL, you’ve got to be able to make some plays with your feet and be able to create a little bit,” said South coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals.

John Zenor is a writer for the Associated Press.

BUTCH DILL/AP North quarterback Anthony Gordon of Washington State led his team to three third-quarter TDs at the Senior Bowl.