Jefferson leads scoring drives
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Although LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson led the South to two scoring drives, Utah State’s Michael Smith ran for 124 yards and one touchdown to lead the North to a 24-19 victory over the South in the Players All-Star Classic at War Memorial Stadium.
Smith’s 80-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave the North at 17-16 lead.
“I’m just grateful that was I was out here for this,” Smith said. “There’s not always an opportunity, and I was glad I got mine.
“Coaches kept telling us to stretch (the play) outside a couple more yards the tight end, and if they over play, just cut back and go. That happened, and I just used my speed to get to the end zone.”
Smith has 12 carries and returned four kickoffs for 105 yards.
“There’s a lot of new plays and a few scouts here to see what we can do,” Smith said. “All we want to do is try and move our stock up, no matter if it’s the NFL or CFL or anywhere. We’ll take the opportunity if we can.”
Jordan Jefferson led the South on two scoring drives, one he capped with a 7-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
The North trimmed the margin to 13-10 at halftime on a 17-yard pass from Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Matt Blanchard to Buffalo’s Marcus Rivers with 31 seconds left in the half.
UNLV’s Phillip Payne, who caught five passes for 110 yards, grabbed a 31-yard touchdown pass from Boston College’s Dominique Davis.
Independence Bowl
SHREVEPORT — Football coach and broadcast analyst Lou Holtz will be the keynote speaker at the annual Independence Bowl kickoff luncheon at 11:45 a.m. Aug. 22 at the Shreveport Convention Center.
Organizers said tickets are $50 per person and available by calling the Independence Bowl office at 318-221-0712 or 888-414-2695.
Holtz, who led Notre Dame to the 1988 college football championship, is now an analyst for ESPN.
West Virginia
SCHOOL CANCELS GAME WITH FLORIDA STATE: In Tallahassee, Fla., West Virginia has decided to cancel its Sept. 8 football game at Florida State.
School officials informed Florida State late Friday they would pay a $350,000 escape fee to shelve the trip.
Florida State Athletic Director Randy Spetman said Saturday he’s disappointed West Virginia would not honor the first half of a home-and-home agreement that calls for Florida State to visit Morgantown, W.Va., next year.
The Seminoles have Murray State, South Florida and Florida on their 2012 nonconference schedule in addition to eight Atlantic Coast Conference games.
Spetman now has a short timeline to find an opponent to replace the Mountaineers on Florida State’s schedule.
Arkansas State
Ex-Okla. assistant picked for post: In Jonesboro, Ark., Arkansas State coach Gus Malzahn has picked a former Oklahoma defensive assistant to be an assistant coach.