SEC shines in Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. — Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond was the Senior Bowl Most Valuable Player, but two fellow Southeastern Conference Western Division products made the decisive big play. Arkansas’ Feleipe Franks threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Mississippi tight end Kenny Yeboah in the fourth quarter to help seal the National team’s 27- 24 victory over the American team Saturday.

Louisville’s Dez Fitzpatrick had six catches for 90 yards in the showcase game for senior and graduate NFL prospects, earning offensive player of the game honors. Tulane defensive lineman Cam Sample was the defensive player of the game. Sample had seven tackles and a share of a sack in a game blending players from Group of Five, small college and Power Five teams.

“We don’t play the Alabama’s or Ohio State’s every week but we’re always hungry,” he said.

The game was played for the first time at South Alabama’s new Hancock Whitney Stadium, with Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores leading the National team and Carolina’s Matt Rhule coaching the American team. It also switched from the traditional North versus South format.