Senior linebacker Jordan Garcia (Carlsbad, CA) and senior quarterbackChad Hurst (Dixon, CA) of the University of Redlands football team made the trek to Monterrey, Mexico, earlier this week and look forward to competing on Friday, December 14, for Team USA in the 40th Tazόn Azteca XL (Aztec Bowl) against the ONEFA All Stars from the Mexico University system. The Aztec Bowl is a part of the All-American Bowl series.
Forty-two players from 32 different non-Division I colleges comprise the All-American Eagles who look to defend their title after winning by a score of 28-14 over the Mexican National All Stars in 2011.
Garcia wrapped up an illustrious career with the Maroon and Gray after being named to the Beyond Sports Network (BSN) Division III All-America Third Team and the D3football.com All-West Region Second Team. This senior captain provided a formidable force in the middle of the defense by leading the team in total tackles for the second season in a row, tallying 72 in his final campaign. Consistently finding a way into opposing teams' backfields, he notched six tackles for a loss of 21 total yards. The 2012 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year also recovered two fumbles and nabbed one interception.
Hurst also closed out his Bulldog career in style, leading the team to an impressive scoring output of 40 points per contest. His superb play landed him on the All-SCIAC First Team, marking his second-consecutive All-Conference award and inaugural First-Team accolade. Through the air, this USA Football News College Football Division III Pre-Season West Region All-Star completed 49.6% of his passes for 1,589 yards and 16 touchdowns in eight games. Moreover, he added to Redlands' dangerous running game by racking up 240 yards and three touchdowns on 61 carries.
The All-American Bowl was founded in 1996 to provide opportunities for the best college seniors from non-Division I programs to compete at a high level during a December all-star game. It also gives these student-athletes the chance to be scouted by professional teams.
For more information about Friday's Aztec Bowl, please visit http://www.allamericanbowl.com/news-articles/2012/194-aztec-story.