Aggies’ Robinson shines in Shrine game
HOUSTON – (AP) Kevin Robinson lived up to his reputation as a player who can do it all, catching a touchdown pass and returning a punt for a score in the West’s 31-13 victory over the East on Saturday night in the 83rd East-West Shrine Game.
The former Utah State player gave the West a 7-3 lead when he returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter. He quickly dashed past the first wave of defenders and then outran a couple more before juking the punter on his way into the end zone, which he flipped into.
Robinson extended the West’s lead to 24-6 when he scored on a 5-yard pass from Josh Johnson in the fourth quarter. He finished with four receptions for 28 yards.
While at Utah State, Robinson broke the NCAA record for career all-purpose yards per play. He averaged 16.16 yards on 6,479 yards and 401 career plays. He had three kick returns for touchdowns this season and added one punt return score, making him the only player in the country with four returns for scores this season.
Houston’s Anthony Alridge helped lead the West. After a forgettable performance in the Texas Bowl, Alridge closed out his college career in his home stadium.
Alridge scored on a 4-yard touchdown in the third quarter that pushed the West’s lead to 17-3. It was a redeeming performance for the running back who struggled in Houston’s 20-13 Texas Bowl loss to TCU last month.
The crowd at Robertson Stadium, which included a child wearing a Houston helmet and Alridge’s jersey, cheered loudest on his score. He then danced in the end zone while fans held up signs supporting him.
Alridge had two catches for 39 yards.
Alvin Bowen extended the West’s lead on a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown with 30 seconds left.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson stood on the West team sideline for most of the first half, cheering on his former Oklahoma teammates. The four Sooners in the game were running back Allen Patrick, defensive back Marcus Walker, tight end Joe Jon Finley and kicker Garrett Hartley.
Patrick was injured in the first quarter and had just one carry for three yards. Hartley missed a 29-yard field goal in the second quarter, but gave the West a 10-3 lead with one from 23-yard just before halftime.
Walker intercepted a pass by Penn State’s Anthony Morelli and returned it 22 yards in the second quarter.
The East team also had an NFL running back cheering it on in former Chiefs running back Priest Holmes.
Cory Boyd scored s touchdown for the East on a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter. Wisconsin’s Taylor Mehlhaff made field goals from 42 and 28 yards for the East.
This is the third year the game has been played in Texas. It was held at Reliant Stadium last year and in San Antonio in 2006. The crowd was announced as 15,328, but looked to be significantly less.