With NFL scouts watching closely, Ronald Stanley upstaged the big names at the Hula Bowl.
The Michigan State linebacker scored two defensive touchdowns Saturday to rally the East to a 20-13 victory over West in the Hula Bowl.
"I've always been an underrated guy," Stanley said. "It was my time to show what I can do."
Down 6-0, the East scored 20 straight points in the third quarter, including Stanley's 38-yard fumble return and a 50-yard interception return.
Stanley's touchdowns gave the East a 13-6 lead and the momentum. It also earned him the East's MVP award.
His first touchdown was a heads-up play.
The ball was knocked out of Hawaii quarterback Timmy Chang's hand and most players stood around believing the play was dead. But Stanley picked the ball off the grass and ran for a touchdown to put the East up 7-6.
Four plays later, Stanley intercepted a pass from Texas Tech's Sonny Cumbie at midfield, streaked down the right sideline and dove into the end zone.
The Hula Bowl featured 92 of college football's best seniors and was played on a cloudless day on Maui -- a stark contrast to the wet and windy conditions during practices.
The East expanded its lead to 20-6 on a 2-yard dive by North Carolina's Madison Hedgecock. The touchdown was setup by a 31-yard run by Troy's DeWhitt Betterson who finished with 77 yards rushing on 10 carries.
The West's biggest star was Derrick Wimbush from Fort Valley State. Wimbush ran four times for 74 yards, including a spectacular Hula Bowl record 59-yard touchdown run.
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