The Five-Time National Champion
Nebraska Cornhuskers
1970 - 1971 - 1994 - 1995 - 1997

The 1998 Shrine Bowl

Just finished drying off from an evening at the Shrine Game. The South won 28-14 in occasional rain. The game started slow at first but ended well. My impressions of selected players:

South Squad...

DeAnte Grixby, IB, Omaha Central. Short, small runner that darts quickly into holes and has power to break tackles. Put on a show all game. Explosive. Many exciting runs. I'm thankful NU got him to sign on the dotted line. Will put on a show as a Husker.

John Bowling, TE, Lincoln Southeast. Had many big catches to keep drives alive. Caught everything thrown his way. Looks very athletic. Tall and big. Really has a confident strut on the sideline. Solid blocking.

Mike White, QB, Boys Town. Playmaker QB with quick moves running inside. Has some real snap in his passes. Is not very big. Why haven't I seen his name as a Husker recruit or walk-on? Made some big plays.

Chris Kelsay, RE, Auburn/Jeremy Slechta, DL, Papillion-LaVista. These two were paired up on the left side of the South defensive line and killed people all night. Excellent pass rush. Great persuit to the ball. Impressed me with their anticipation and reaction. The White team made an effort to run every play to the left (the defensive right). Jeremy Slechta looked BIG out there (listed at 6'5", 270 in program). Not fat, BIG. Much larger than Chris Kelsay (6'5", 240). Kept shedding blockers like flies. Disrupted the North's QB all game.

North Squad...

Sam Gutz, QB, Columbus. This Husker walk-on was personally responsible for most of the North's offense (and two turnovers). Was most effective on QB draws during one of the scoring drives. Made some poor passes.

Kyle Ringenberg, RE, Elkhorn. This walk-on for NU made some big plays for the North defense. His name was heard fairly often. Looked big and athletic.

Wilson Thomas, DL, Omaha North. Played for the North Squad. The OWH said he equaled Bowling's three catches for 78 yards (Bowling had 3 for 44 yards). He also had the North's longest run of the game on a 15-yard reverse play.

Luke Smith, LB, York. This walk-on for the Huskers faded out right into the pass of a South QB and ran the interception down to the 4 yard line. Out accelerated about five guys in the process. Listed at 6'1", 225.

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