2017 East-West Shrine Game: Recap and highlights

The West won the 2017 East-West Shrine Game over the East 10-3. Here are all the highlights, the recap and the final score.

The first quarter of the 2017 East-West Shrine Game featured little scoring and a ton of great defensive plays. Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Wes Lunt and Utah Utes running back Joe Williams had the West pushing for a touchdown in the red zone.

However, the East would come up with a goal-line stand to force a turnover on downs. Louisville Cardinals defensive tackle DeAngelo Brown would be the star of that defensive series. The East would go three-and-out with Penn Quakers quarterback Alex Torgersen struggling mightily in the first quarter.

Lunt would spread the ball around well to different receivers on the next drive. That set up a made 27-yard field goal by Idaho Vandals kicker Austin Rehkow to give the West a 3-0 lead on the East. Torgersen would go three-and-out again for the East. Cincinnati Bearcats Gunner Kiel would do the same for the West.

Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush would orchestrate a strong first series under center for the East. He would feed Auburn Tigers wide receiver Tony Stevens and Florida State Seminoles wideout Kermit Whitfield across the field. Pittsburgh Panthers tight end Scott Orndoff would drop a certain touchdown pass from Rush in the end zone. North Carolina Tar Heels kicker Nick Weiler would make a 21-yard field goal to tie it up at 3-3 at the 11:44 mark in the second quarter.

Kiel would look better on his next series for the West. He would hit Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Trey Griffey on a couple of nice passes. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns running back Eli McGuire had a fun nice runs. Then Florida Atlantic Owls defensive end Trey Hendrickson would strip sack Kiel for the East, eventually forcing the West to punt.

Rush would not be as effective in his second series for the East. He went three-and-out. One noteworthy play of that series was North Texas Mean Green punter Eric Keena would make a ridiculous, one-handed grab to save a bad snap before punting it away.

The West would be lead by Western Michigan Broncos quarterback Zach Terrell. It was not a good series for Terrell, as he was sacked on a scramble by Northern Iowa Panthers defensive end Karter Schult for a huge loss. Hendrickson would make a great stop for the East on a third and long on Williams to force the West to punt.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles quarterback Nick Mullens would take over the for West, promptly going three-and-out. Terrell’s next drive wouldn’t be better than his first. While it lasted six plays, Terrell only moved ball 11 yards before having to punt. Inside of a minute before halftime, Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Deangelo Yancy would call for a fair catch at the East three-yard line. Mullens would run one play before taking it into half time all tied up at three.

The East would get the ball to start the second half. Mullens couldn’t do much at quarterback, but the East did have a few nice runs from Michigan Wolverines running back De’Veon Smith. On a third and long, Mullens would get a low snap and would proceed to get creamed by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Darius English. That forced a punt by the East.

Lunt came back in for the West and have a few splashes on his next series. He would connect with Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Austin Carr twice. Lunt nearly had the first passing touchdown of the game, but Shepherd Rams wide receiver Billy Brown could not come down with the grab. Rehkow would miss the 38-yard field goal.

Torgensen would go under center once again for the East. While his next series lasted only five plays, he had a pair of nice passes. However, they were undermined by another bad snap, rapidly becoming a trend in the 2017 East-West Shrine Game. Kiel would go back in for the West. In terrible field position, Florida Gators defensive tackle Joey Ivie IV would sack Kiel near the goal line, forcing the punt.

The East get another opportunity with Torgensen under center. Torgensen opted to pound the rock with Smith, but he was unsuccessful. Smith would be stuffed on a fourth and one to turn the ball over on downs.

Kiel would heave it on first down for a 24-yard completion to Samford Bulldogs wide receiver Karel Hamilton. The West would finally get into the end zone on an 18-yard touchdown run by McGuire. Rehkow would made the long PAT to make it 10-3 West with 12:38 left to play.

Rush would come back in for the East. He had a nice 23-yard pass to LSU Tigers tight end Colin Jeter, but couldn’t sustain more than a five-play drive before yet another punt from Kenna.

Terrell and McGuire would have the West poised for the game-sealing score. Then Wisconsin Badgers running back Dare Ogunbowale would fumble the ball on the East 38-yard line. Was he down by contact? Yes, but there wasn’t a replay official at the East-West Shrine Game.

Rush would lead a series for the East that should have gone three-and-out. However, Washington State Cougars wide receiver/return man Gabe Marks would muff the punt. Treating it as a new series, Mullens would go in for the East deep in West territory. Mullens and the East could not capitalize. On a third and two, Smith would fumble and turn the ball over to the West.

Mullens would get one last shot at getting the East into the end zone. A few dropped passes on crucial passing downs would be the end for the East. The West would take over on downs, take a knee, and win the game 10-3.

Highlights

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Three Stars

1. Deatrich Wise Jr.: The Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end was easily the best player in this game. He wreaked havoc all over the East backfield. Wise had several stops, including a couple of tackles for a loss of yardage, and at least 1.5 quarterback sacks.
2. Eli McGuire: McGuire offered the only offensive score in this game. He had seven carries for 42 yards and the go-ahead 18-yard touchdown run.
3. Bryan Cox Jr: Cox along with Wise befuddle the East offense all afternoon. Though he didn’t have the numbers of Wise, Cox was as important to the West front-seven. His energy was through the roof.