Collin Klein hoped to use the East-West Shrine Game as his first opportunity to prove he has the ability to play quarterback in the NFL.
The Heisman Trophy finalist and Kansas State star left the field with more questions surrounding his game, though, and a few months to provide potential suitors with answers.
Klein struggled in his first all-star game NFL audition, going 5-for-12 passing for 43 yards and an interception as his East team lost to the West, 28-13, in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Saturday.
Illinois cornerback Terry Hawthorne had a fumble recovery to set up a touchdown and an interception in the second half to lead a West team that came away with four turnovers on the day.
Klein acknowledged he didn’t have the kind of day he wanted, but said his confidence isn’t shaken moving forward.
“I felt pretty good. We were a little rough, made a lot of mistakes and penalties that kept getting us in bad down-and-distances,” Klein said. “But I think I got better and I learned a lot this week. We’re moving on.”
The West never trailed, and got a strong offensive effort from Texas A&M running back Christine Michael, who rushed for 42 yards and touchdown.
Arizona quarterback Matt Scott had the only passing touchdown of the game, finding Mississippi State receiver Chad Bumphis for a 57-yard score. Scott finished 3-for-4 for 81 yards.
Another West quarterback, Alex Carder (Western Michigan) also had a good passing day, throwing for 95 yards. He did throw a late interception.
Bumphis was named the offensive MVP.
NFLPA ALL-STAR GAME
National 34, American 0: Kansas quarterback Dayne Crist threw for a touchdown and ran for another to lead the National team to a win over the American squad in Carson, Calif., at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
Crist was 7-for-10 passing for 61 yards and was named MVP. He opened the scoring with a 1-yard run in the second quarter and followed it with a 7-yard touchdown pass on the next possession.
Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel completed all eight of his passes for 63 yards and a TD for the winning squad.
ALL-STAR CLASSIC
Stars 31, Stripes 3: Western Missouri running back Michael Hill received a surprise invitation to the first Raycom College Football All-Star Classic in Montgomery, Ala., but looked like he belonged.
Hill rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries to lead the Stripes past the Stars six days after getting the phone call that a spot had come available.
He was chosen offensive MVP by NFL scouts and had runs of 44 and 49 yards for two of the game’s biggest plays, both setting up his touchdowns.
The defensive MVP was Charles James of FCS Charleston Southern, who had two tackles and a pass breakup that resulted in a third-quarter interception.
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