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Pair Of 2008 Under Armour
Senior Bowlers In Action In Wednesday's Motor City Bowl
Talented duo from
Purdue includes Dorien Bryant, the first player to lead the Big Ten in
receiving three straight years, and All-Big Ten defensive end Cliff
Avril.
 MOBILE, Ala. (December
26, 2007) --
Wednesday’s Motor City Bowl match-up will feature a pair of highly-rated
NFL Draft prospects and All-Big Ten stars from Purdue – record-setting
receiver Dorien Bryant and defensive end Cliff Avril -- who will also
suit up for the North squad in the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl,
officials have announced.
Bryant, one of the nation’s most explosive
offensive threats, became the first player in Big Ten history to lead
the conference in receiving three straight years in 2007.
The 5-10, 175-pounder from Swedesboro,
N.J., also ranks as the school’s record holder with 6,054 all-purpose
yards, a total that ranks fifth in Big Ten history, and was a
semifinalist for this year’s Biletnikoff Award, presented to the top
receiver in college football.
Purdue wide receiver
Dorien Bryant
"Obviously, it's a great honor to be
invited to the Senior Bowl, and I am looking forward to the week,” said
Bryant shortly after a recent practice in preparation for the Motor City
Bowl. “The Senior Bowl will provide me an opportunity to showcase my
abilities and hopefully better myself for a future in pro football.”
An outstanding kick returner with blazing
speed, Bryant is also the school’s all-time kickoff return leader with
2,059 yards, averaging 28.5 yards per return in 2007, and ranks second
in school history in receptions (287), third in receiving yards (3,483)
and fifth in touchdowns with 21.
He became Purdue’s career leader in
all-purpose yards on September 22 against Minnesota, breaking the former
mark of 4,710 held by Mike Alstott. He has also set a school record this
season with 1,956 all-purpose yards, breaking the old record of 1,870
held for 40 seasons by former Boilermaker great Leroy Keyes.
Bryant led the Big Ten with 82 catches
(6.8 per game) for 871 yards and eight scores in 2007, caught 87 (6.2
per game) for 1,068 yards in 2006 and also led the league as a sophomore
with 80 (7.3 per game) for 960 yards in 2005.
His career reception total of 287 is also
second in Big Ten history, runner-up to former Boilermaker Taylor
Stubblefield, and his career yardage total is fourth all-time on the Big
Ten list.
Purdue defensive end
Cliff Avril
Avril is a quick, hard-hitting defensive
end with a nose for the football, leading the Big Ten in fumble
recoveries with three, ranking second with four forced fumbles and
recorded six sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss during an outstanding
senior season.
In 2006, he teamed with former Purdue star
and 2007 Senior Bowler Anthony Spencer, a first-round pick of the Dallas
Cowboys, to give the Boilermakers one of the best defensive end tandems
in college football. Avril had 83 total tackles that season, including
15 tackles for loss and six sacks, which ranked second on the team.
A second-team All-Big Ten selection in
2007, the 6-3, 251-pounder from Green Cove Springs, Fla., has recorded
191 total tackles, 12.5 sacks and 35 tackles for loss during his
Boilermakers career.
The 59th annual Under Armour Senior Bowl
is scheduled for Saturday, January 26, 2008. Tickets sell for $24, $18
and $12 each and can be purchased at all area Food World stores,
selected Regions Bank branches, by calling 251-432-4109 or ordered
through the bowl’s website at
www.seniorbowl.com.
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