After a week of practice, meetings with NFL teams and media sessions, NFL draft prospects played the actual Senior Bowl game Saturday. In a game to showcase the best of the best collegiate players, it was more sloppy and ho-hum than one would expect from this crop of players. However, by the time the actual game rolled around, there were no real stakes for the winners, and with the draft on the horizon, nobody wants to get hurt.
The National team ended up winning 16-7, but it was the American team that jumped on the board first. South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler threw a 29 yard bomb to Georgia’s Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint to jumpstart the action. Rattler did not not play the rest of the game, but his 4-4, 65 yards first drive stat line earned him Senior Bowl MVP honors.
The National Team responded at the end of the first quarter with a Bo Nix touchdown to Minnesota tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford. Nix rolled out to his right before firing up the middle to Spann-Ford. This would be the last of Nix we saw all game.
Earlier in the week Spann-Ford had mentioned his versatility in the passing game as something he wanted to work on. “Just kinda emphasizing my route technique and things like that in the pass game that will make me a more well rounded tight end,” Spann-Ford said.
It was a 7-7 tie at the half, with the American team outgaining the National team 168-101 yardage wise, but two turnovers by the American team took away scoring opportunities.
Missouri’s very own Cody Schrader led all receivers at halftime, with 45 receiving yards along with ten rushing yards. Schrader received plenty of field time during the first half, where he was heavily utilized as a passer up the middle.
Cody Schrader carries the ball during a 49-yard rush on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. Schrader saw lots of action as a dual-threat wide receiver back at the Senior Bowl Saturday. Photo: Thomas Raymond/ The Maneater
With Washington’s Michael Penix opting out of the game and Nix done after his touchdown, Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman played the rest of the game for the National team. Hartman finished the first half completing just two of ten passes for 21 yards.
To start the second half, the National team received the kickoff and put three points on the board to take a 10-7 lead. Hartman remained under center, and while he still struggled with on-target throws, he showed off his ability as a rusher, often scrambling after rolling out of the pocket. A Joshua Karty field goal topped off the drive. The most noteworthy play from this drive was an impressive one-handed snag by Rice’s Luke McCaffery.
South Alabama’s Bradley Carter made his debut in the American Team’s first drive of the second half. Carter faced pressure from his right side with Missouri offensive lineman Javon Foster struggling to contain his man on the right side of the line. Despite an impressive 14 yard run from TCU’s Emani Bailey, the drive stalled out and resulted in a punt.
The National team further pulled ahead after a 51-yard field goal from Stanford’s Joshua Karty to make it 13-7. The National team took the lead despite Hartman continually having balls batted down, near interceptions, and just throws that made you say “What the heck?” My particular favorite occurred when Harmtan just chucked the ball deep into the stands, but was bailed out by a roughing the passer call. Hartman finished the game completing just seven of his 25 pass attempts, leaving him with a 43% completion rating. Not exactly a screaming endorsement to NFL scouts in attendance.
The American team quarterbacks had better stat lines, but none saw the field very long as the team struggled to not go three and out, especially during the second half. Quite frankly, none of the quarterbacks gave promising signs they will thrive in the NFL a few months from now.
The most exciting action of the whole game came at the end of the fourth quarter when Washington State cornerback Chau Smith-Wade picked off Tenneeessee’s Joe Milton with a 83 yard return that was stopped at the one yard line. This set up a field goal for the National team to secure the 16-7 win.
The Missouri Tigers in attendance did not receive a large chunk of field time, but with the deep rosters on both sides, this is not an uncommon thing at the Senior Bowl. Schrader was utilized the most, but had some difficulties getting substantial yardage in the run game, finishing with 12 yards on ten attempts. However, Schrader did finish with 54 receiving yards, making him the games leading receiver and showing off his versatility. As mentioned, Foster struggled to block his man at times. Cornerback Kris Abrams Draine was not targeted while in coverage, but also was not out there for too many plays. Lineman Darius Robinson looked solid during the snaps he took.
The special team players had nice showings during practice, but at times made you wince during the game. Texas Tech’s Austin McNamara had two shagged punts, Alabama’s Will Reichart had a field goal attempt doink the right goalpost, and Stanford’s Troy Taylor missed a field goal.
Overall, the Senior Bowl was a nice week to reward the collegiate upperclassman who had proved their worth over seasons of college football. While the game itself may have been a bit anticlimactic, an extra game of football in February is always a plus.