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| Volume 11, No. 49 |
September 1-7, 2010 |
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| | THE NATION GOING FOR SECOND STRAIGHT WIN | | By Steve Escajeda | | 
If it’s true that it takes a combination of talent, courage and brains to be a successful quarterback in the NFL, the Nation should have the edge in this Saturday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Texas vs. the Nation Challenge.
The Nation, under head coach Howard Schnellenberger, took a 2-1 lead in the series by knocking off Texas 27-24 a year ago.
Schnellenberger is back to lead the Nation again this season with a quarterback tandem led by Western Michigan’s Tim Hiller.
“I’me excited to be here,” Hiller said. “Everything surrounding the game has been first class and it’s been a great experience so far.”
Hiller, who ranked fifth in the country in completions per game at 25.8, completed 60 percent of his passes (309-514) for 3,249 yards and threw 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions.
But throwing a football through the air is just one of his talents.
Not only did he carry a 4.0 GPA for his college career, Hiller was also this season’s recipient of the Wuerffel Trophy, which has also been dubbed the “Humanitarian Heisman.”
“I’m tremendously humbled and honored to win the award. It means more to me than any other football award because it’s about being the whole person, a student, an athlete and being a good citizen,” he said. “Positively impacting lives means more to me than how many touchdowns I throw.”
Hiller responded quickly when asked where he got his inspiration.
“I have two of the greatest parents in the world and they raised me knowing that academics come before athletics,” he said. “They instilled in me a work ethic and a sense of discipline that really helped me to excel after I moved on from high school.”
A few months ago it appeared that another of the Nation’s quarterbacks wouldn’t play in this game – or anywhere, for that matter.
Florida Atlantic’s Rusty Smith was having superb season before suffering an AC separation on his non-throwing shoulder in the seventh game of the season.
His college career was over – or was it?
“I rehabbed the injury and I’ve been cleared to play by my doctor and I’m ready to go,” Smith said. “It was tough and disappointing to end my career that way, but God has a plan for everything and I trust that he has a plan for me.”
Before going down with the injury, Smith was connecting on 57 percent of his passes (145-253) for 1,915 yards. He threw 14 touchdown passes and five interceptions and was averaging 273.6 yards per game.
“This will be my first physical contact since the injury but I’m fully confident that it still hold up and I’m ready to go,” Smith said. “This is a chance to show the scouts that I am healthy and can play at the next level. Some of the best players in the country are here and I’m excited to get out there and show what I can do.”
Tennessee’s Jonathon Crompton rounds out the quarterback list for the Nation. Crompton completed 58 percent of his passes (224-384) for the Vols for 2,800 yards. He threw 27 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions.
Of course the defense will have something to do with the Nation’s success.
“It’s a great opportunity to play with the amount of talent that will be here this week,” said Penn State linebacker Josh Hull, who led the Nittany Lions in tackles with 116, including 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions.
“I’ve never played in a bowl game in front of as many NFL scouts that will be at this game, so it’s a great opportunity,” Hull added.
The Texas vs. the Nation matchup has steadily grown in both attendance and the production of NFL signings.
Last year’s game drew 42,387 fans and a record 111 players signed NFL contracts.
Comments or questions about this story? E-mail Secret@whatsuppub.com
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