Sun Jan 20 00:37:42 2008

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Robinson propels West over East in Shrine Game

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Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Utah State's Kevin Robinson had a 72-yard punt return for a score and a five-yard touchdown reception, leading West to a 31-13 win in the 83rd East-West Shrine Game.

Iowa State linebacker Alvin Bowen returned an interception for a score for West, which played under former Cal and Illinois head coach Mike White. Houston running back Anthony Alridge also scored for West.

South Carolina running back Cory Boyd had the lone touchdown for East, which was helmed by Dick Vermeil, who coached collegiately at UCLA, and in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs. Wisconsin kicker Taylor Mehlhaff added two field goals for East.

Mehlhaff banged in a 42-yarder to open scoring with 4:07 left in the first quarter, and give East a short-lived lead. Robinson's punt return with 49 seconds left in the quarter put West on top to stay.

Oklahoma kicker Garrett Hartley booted in a 23-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to put West up 10-3 at the intermission.

Alridge's four-yard scoring run put West ahead 17-3 with 5:58 remaining in the third quarter.

Mehlhaff's 28-yard field goal made it a 17-6 game with 13:43 to play, but San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson found Robinson for a five-yard scoring pass to push West ahead 24-6 with 11 minutes left.

Boyd's five-yard plunge cut the deficit to 24-13 with 4:18 left, but Bowen's 20-yard return of an interception thrown by Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith iced the win for West.

Game Notes

The West has won six of the last eight games, and owns a 45-33-5 edge all- time...East quarterbacks threw four interceptions. Smith threw two, while Penn State's Anthony Morelli was picked off twice as well.