The 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl is in the books. In a game that was dominated by their pass rush, the National team knocked off the American team, 20-10. The New York Jets staff got the victory over a squad led by the Detroit Lions.
The National squad overcame 14 penalties by never giving the American team QBs a chance to breathe. The trio of passers was sacked a total of eight times and hurried an additional five times.
This was the second year the game was held at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama.
Let’s look at the top performers from each team.
SENIOR BOWL NATIONAL TEAM
You can’t tell the story of this win without talking about the dominance of the National team pass rush. Overall game MVP Perrion Winfrey dominated the interior of the American team’s offensive line. The former Sooner recorded five tackles, three TFLs, and two sacks.
Joining him in the multiple sack club was Minnesota standout Boye Mafe. Mafe crashed the edge several times during the game with three TFLs and a pair of sacks. He was named the National team MVP.
Penn State LB Jesse Luketa quadrupled the number of sacks he had in his Nittany Lion career. During his time in Happy Valley, the Canadian-born Luketa only had a half-sack. He recorded a pair today.
Just like his tape shows, Wyoming LB Chad Muma was active today. The rangy backer had nine tackles (five solos). UConn’s mammoth defensive tackle Travis Jones bullied his way to three tackles and one sack. Baylor safety J.T. Woods sealed the game with an interception late in the fourth quarter.
On offense, Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder threw for 68 yards and two scores, while Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett was a perfect 6/6 with 89 yards and a score.
Rachaad White (RB/Arizona State) flashed with 12 touches for 59 yards. Baylor RB Abram Smith added another 67 yards on 13 touches and had a receiving TD. Wisconsin TE Jake Ferguson finished with three catches for 62 yards and a score.
SENIOR BOWL AMERICAN TEAM
Western Kentucky edge rusher DeAngelo Malone was anointed American team MVP after a six tackle, ½ sack performance. The former Hilltopper great was disruptive often.
Appalachian State LB D’Marco Jackson had six tackles (four solos), all in the first half. Tennessee CB Alontae Taylor had one interception on an arm punt from Nevada QB Carson Strong.
North Carolina QB Sam Howell was the only American team passer to move the ball with any consistency. Howell was 6/9 for 67 yards. He also added another 29 yards on the ground with a running TD.
Bailey Zappe (QB/Western Kentucky) did manage 103 yards through the air but was picked off late. Malik Willis did much more damage with his legs than his arm. The Liberty QB only had 65 yards of total offense (54 rushing).
Despite only being added to the roster on Thursday, Utah RB T.J. Pledger was by far the most explosive running back on the American team. Pledger had five carries for 33 yards.
Velus Jones (WR/Tennessee) had a nice game receiving. The local product (Saraland HS) caught four balls for 53 yards.
Shane P Hallam will have a full game review up tomorrow and we will have our biggest winners from the week up on Tuesday & Wednesday.