The Sun Bowl: Site of the 2008 Texas vs. The Nation Challenge
Mid-American Conference football fans will have yet another chance to see how some of the MAC's top players stack up against many of the nation's other top seniors when the second annual Texas vs. The Nation Challenge collegiate all-star game kicks off on Saturday, February 2 from the Sun Bowl in El Paso.
The second annual event's unique format will feature one squad comprised primarily of players who are either from Texas or played their collegiate football in Texas against top players from around the nation. Last season, Team Nation defeated Team Texas 24-20 in the inaugural game that saw 79 of the 108 roster players sign NFL contracts, including twelve players who were selected in the 2007 NFL Draft.
This year's game will include three MAC gridiron performers among the game's 131 seniors currently listed on the roster for the contest.
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| Trevor Scott |
Playing for Team Nation will be Buffalo defensive end Trevor Scott and Western Michigan offensive tackle James Blair while Miami defensive back Jerrid Gaines will suit up for Team Texas.
Trevor Scott (6-5, 255) led the Bulls this past season with ten sacks and was second on the team with fifteen tackles for loss. Scott also led all active players nationally with an average of .79 sacks per game over the last two seasons after starting his collegiate career at tight end. Scott is currently rated at 35 out of 170 defensive ends available in this year's NFL Draft by NFL Draft Scout.com.
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| James Blair |
Western Michigan's James Blair (6-4, 334) started every game of his senior season for the Broncos, led the team by taking 1,043 snaps this past year, and was named first team All-MAC by the league's coaches. Blair was also previously invited to participate in the Hula Bowl. NFL Draft Scout.com has Blair rated at number 25 out of 177 offensive guards available for the 2008 NFL Entry Draft.
Defensive back Jerrid Gaines (5-11, 194) will suit up for Team Texas after completing his senior season at Miami in which he recorded 43 tackles and had one interception for the RedHawks. Gaines is currently ranked 42nd out of 235 cornerbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The 2008 Texas vs. The Nation Challenge will be televised by CSTV with kickoff scheduled for 5:00 pm ET from the Sun Bowl in El Paso, TX.
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| Jerrid Gaines |
The game will also feature two coaching legends leading their respective squads in the all-star contest.
Team Nation's coaching staff will be led by former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan while former Alabama head coach Gene Stallings will coach Team Texas.
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