All-star contests let seniors shine in final college game

  COURTNEY STEWART/Daily Bruin Senior linebacker
Ryan Nece hovers around the middle and breaks up a
pass against USC earlier this season.

By Hannah Gordon
Daily Bruin Contributor

While most Bruins get back to class, a few have only one thing
on their schedule.

On Saturday, several UCLA seniors will play in their last
college game: the East-West Shrine Game in San Francisco and the
Paradise Bowl in St. George, Utah.

Having missed out on a bowl at UCLA, the seniors savor the
opportunity to play again.

“It’s special to get to play one more college
game,” said strong safety Jason Stephens, who will play in
the Paradise Bowl. “I’ve never been in an all-star
game.”

But the players are appearing for more than sentimental reasons.
Both games boast NFL as well as Canadian and European football
league scouts, giving less prominent athletes a chance to showcase
their abilities.

“The Paradise Bowl is another opportunity to show I could
possibly play at the next level,” quarterback Scott McEwan
said. “I got to start the last game, but I realize it was the
last game.”

McEwan said he would welcome the opportunity to play in Canada
or Europe.

“I realize the odds of making it to the NFL. I know there
are other opportunities,” he said.

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The East-West Shrine Game in San Francisco raises money for the
Shriner Hospitals for Children, which provide free orthopedic and
burn care. This year the game features Oregon’s Mike Bellotti
as the coach of the West team, with Joey Harrington at quarterback.
The East team will be coached by Illinois’ Ron Turner, with
Clemson’s Woody Dantzler under center.

Pac-10 players on the roster include Oregon cornerback Rashad
Bauman and offensive lineman Zach Quaccia, Stanford quarterback
Randy Fasani, Arizona State tailback Delvon Flowers, USC defensive
end Lonnie Ford, Cal linebacker Scott Fujita, Washington State
safety Billy Newman, free safety Lamont Thompson and wide receiver
Nakoa McElrath.

The Paradise Bowl pits Utah and Colorado’s best college
players against players from the West, with McEwan signal-calling
for the West team.

Other seniors will appear later in the month in the Senior Bowl
and the Gridiron Classic.