Jan. 21, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A pair of Texas Longhorns seniors helped the West defeat the East 24-17 in the 87th annual East West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field on Saturday. Senior S Blake Gideon and senior OG/C David Snow helped the West snap a three-game losing streak to the East.
Snow helped the West gain 377 total yards (170 rushing/207 passing) and 4.3 yards per carry as the West offense dominated the second half with three long drives that resulted in 10 second half points.
Gideon played safety in both halves and contributed on special teams and helped the West hold the East to 59 total yards rushing and only 2.7 yards per rush. The West held the East to four three-and-outs on five total possessions in the second half.
The East took a 3-0 lead on the first possession of the game on a 28-yard field goal by Blair Walsh from the University of Georgia.
On the first series for the West, David Snow showed his versatility by starting at center for the West after playing the entire season at guard. The drive ended after six plays gained 20 yards and the West was forced to punt.
The East scored on their second drive on a 17-yard touchdown by Michigan State's BJ Cunningham from Tennessee-Chatanooga's BJ Coleman to take a 10-0 lead.
Snow and the West team then mounted a 19-play 80-yard drive culminated by a one-yard TD By Northern Illinois QB Chandler Harnish. The drive ate up 8:48 and cut the East's lead to 10-7.
The West then recovered an onside kick and proceeded to drive 49 yards in seven plays as Colorado QB Tyler Hansen carried the last three yards into the end zone to give the West their first lead 14-10 with 5:18 left to play in the first half.
The East added a three yard TD pass from Southern Miss' Austin Davis to Miami's LaRon Byrd before the half to make it 17-14.
At 13:21 of the fourth quarter, the West tied the game at 17 on a 35-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein of Missouri Western State.
Then with :47 left in the game, Louisiana Tech's Lennon Creer scored the game winner for the West with a nine-yard touchdown up the middle after a nine-play 74-yard drive.
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