Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Ridder, Pickett lead National to Senior Bowl win

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Saturday, 05 February 2022 16:22

MOBILE, Ala. -- The pass rushers did their best to steal the show from quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Kenny Pickett in the Senior Bowl.

Cincinnati's Ridder threw two touchdown passes and the National team had eight sacks in a 20-10 victory over the American team Saturday.

"We didn't come out here to lollygag through it," Minnesota defensive lineman Boye Mafe said. "We told each other to go out and have our best games and play our best football. This was our last time to get to represent our schools so why not go out on a good note."

Ridder helped finish off a job started by Pittsburgh's Pickett, a Heisman Trophy finalist who was 6-of-6 passing for 89 yards and a touchdown despite only playing the first quarter.

The National pass rushers made it a tough afternoon for their quarterback counterparts polishing off the weeklong showcase for top senior and graduated junior NFL prospects.

Oklahoma's Perrion Winfrey, Penn State's Jesse Luketa and Mafe each had two sacks. Luketa and Mafe also both forced a fumble on sacks of North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell.

Winfrey was the overall game MVP, while Mafe was the National player of the game and Western Kentucky defensive lineman DeAngelo Malone was picked as the top American team player.

Winfrey wore a jersey signed by teammates and got to follow in the Senior Bowl footsteps of Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald, a 2014 alum of the game.

"I've been dreaming about being in the Senior Bowl since I was a little kid," Winfrey said. "I saw Aaron Donald dominate the Senior Bowl and I wanted to be the next to do that."

Pickett and Liberty's Malik Willis were among the Senior Bowl passers vying with Mississippi's Matt Corral to be the first quarterback picked.

Willis started for the American team and mainly flashed his running and scrambling ability. He passed for just 11 yards but ran for a game-high 54 on four carries in the first quarter, flirting with a touchdown on a 27-yard scamper to end the first quarter.

Teams started each quarter with fresh possessions.

Ridder completed 4 of 6 passes for 68 yards to finish up with another win. He led Cincinnati to 44 wins in his career and to the College Football Playoffs this season, ending with a semifinal loss to Alabama.

The National team delivered most of the big plays, culminating with Ridder's 25-yard touchdown to Wisconsin tight end Jake Ferguson in the fourth quarter.

Pickett, who led Pitt to its first ACC championship, capped his performance with a 20-yard touchdown to Baylor running back Abram Smith late in the first quarter.

Pickett spent the rest of the game as a spectator. But he's hoping the week's performance impressed NFL teams after making a huge leap as a player and a prospect in his senior season.

"Everyone was saying it was a flash in the pan season," Pickett said. "Thirteen games playing at areally high level, I don't think it is.

"So I wanted to come down here and continue on that, being a consistent player."

Howell, who had teammates recover both of his fumbles, scrambled and passed the American team to its first score. He collected a wide snap and ran left for a 2-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.

Howell's one completion on the drive was a 19-yarder to Utah running back TJ Pledger, a late sub who only arrived in time for Thursday's practice and also had a 23-yard run.

North Dakota State's Christian Watson caught an underthrown ball going to the ground and quickly popped up for a 38-yarder to set up the touchdown.

Then Ridder rolled right and hit Colorado State tight end Trey McBride for a 6-yard touchdown late in the second.

Bailey Zappe of Western Kentucky passed for a game-high 103 yards with an interception. Howell was 6 of 9 for 67 yards. Nevada's Carson strong also passed for 67 yards but threw an interception.

Winfrey got a trophy filled with peanut butter cups from sponsor Reese's but had no plans to enjoy them.

"I'm not going to eat one of these," he said.

Read 204 times

Soccer

Man City's Foden named PL Player of the Season

Man City's Foden named PL Player of the Season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPhil Foden has been named the Premier League's Player of the Season...

Klopp: Liverpool ready for exciting new direction

Klopp: Liverpool ready for exciting new direction

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJürgen Klopp has said Liverpool will move in an "exciting direction...

Madueke backs Lavia to take Chelsea to next level

Madueke backs Lavia to take Chelsea to next level

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNoni Madueke believes Chelsea are starting to "take shape" under Ma...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Pacers spurred by fiery Carlisle, roll into Game 7

Pacers spurred by fiery Carlisle, roll into Game 7

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINDIANAPOLIS -- When the Indiana Pacers fell behind 2-0 in their se...

Sources: Porzingis likely out for start of East finals

Sources: Porzingis likely out for start of East finals

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBoston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is expected to remain side...

Baseball

Twins frustrated by plate ump, rare rule violation

Twins frustrated by plate ump, rare rule violation

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Following a one-run loss, Minnesota manager Rocco Bald...

'This fan base is going to fall in love with him': How Luis Arráez is following in Tony Gwynn's footsteps

'This fan base is going to fall in love with him': How Luis Arráez is following in Tony Gwynn's footsteps

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsComparisons to Tony Gwynn began to follow Luis Arráez when he first...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated