College football

LSU's Randall shows quick grasp

By wire services
Published January 16, 2005

LADY LAKE - LSU quarterback Marcus Randall hopes NFL scouts took note that he's a quick study.

After being introduced to a new offense this week, Randall completed 7 of 11 passes for 88 yards to earn MVP honors at the Gridiron Classic and lead the South to a 24-21 win over the North on Saturday.

"That just shows my knowledge for the game is real," said Randall, who had 2,765 yards and 18 touchdowns passing this season. "I know how to play this game."

Ohio State's Lydell Ross, a former Gaither High standout, gained 32 yards on eight carries and scored the first touchdown for the North.

Last week, more than 200 scouts were on hand to see and talk with the 97 players.

"They did a lot of personal interviews and so forth with the pro people," said Ohio State's Jim Tressel, co-coach of the North squad. "They did all they could do to get someone to notice them so they might get a chance come draft day."

In a second half that saw four lead changes, UNLV running back Dominique Dorsey's 28-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter was the difference.

For the North, Hampton receiver Jerome Mathis scored on a 26-yard reception and a 38-yard run off a reverse. Mathis had 59 yards receiving on two catches and 49 rushing on two carries.

"Every time I step on the big stage, I get even better," said Mathis, one of 10 players not from Division I-A programs.

Texas' Chance Mock threw a 23-yard touchdown to Mississippi receiver Eric Rice late in the third to put the South up 17-14.

With 11 seconds left in the quarter, Mathis' run put the North ahead by four.

The North took a 14-10 lead early in the third on a 26-yard pass from North Carolina's Darian Durant to Mathis. Ross set up the score with a 25-yard run on the previous play.

The North tied it at 7 late in the first on 6-yard run by Ross.

The second edition of the Classic was played at the Villages, a massive retirement community 60 miles northwest of Orlando. A temporary stadium was erected on a converted polo field, and fans arrived in hundreds of golf carts.

Florida's Matt Leach hit a 43-yard field goal for the South.

Stefan LeFors threw two of his three touchdowns to Louisville teammate J.R. Russell, and Purdue's Taylor Stubblefield also caught two scoring passes in the East's 45-27 victory in San Francisco.

Purdue's Kyle Orton passed for 145 yards in the first quarter, 103 to Stubblefield, on plays called by Boilermakers coach Joe Tiller.

Players struggled to keep their footing on the sod atop the infield at SBC Park, home of baseball's Giants. But Florida State's Chauncey Stovall had no such problems in the third quarter when he changed directions four times in the backfield to rush for a 29-yard score for the East.

LeFors was named offensive MVP, going 10-for-17 for 165 yards and tying the Shrine record for touchdowns though he played just one quarter.

Brandon Jacobs of Southern Illinois rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown for the West.

BARBER DECLARES: Minnesota running back Marion Barber III announced he will enter the NFL draft, giving up his final season of eligibility.

[Last modified January 16, 2005, 00:34:19]