Jan. 9, 2008
HOUSTON - San Diego State seniors Kevin O'Connell (Carlsbad, Calif.) and Will Robinson (Pomona, Calif.) are slated to play in the 83rd Annual East-West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 19 in Houston, Texas. The game, which will be hosted by the University of Houston at Robertson Stadium, will kick off at 6 p.m. CT.
O'Connell, a quarterback, and Robinson, an offensive lineman, will each play for the West squad coached by former California, Illinois and Oakland Raider coach Mike White. Legendary coach Dick Vermeil will lead the East team.
The game follows Saturday's Hula Bowl in Honolulu, where O'Connell and Robinson will play alongside defensive lineman Nick Osborn (Kensington, Calif.) on the West squad.
A four-year team captain, O'Connell earned second-team all-MWC honors after becoming the first Aztec to lead the team in both rushing and passing in the same season. O'Connell ranked first in the MWC in league outings in total offense per game (284.2) and was second in passing average (239.2 yards/g).
For his career, O'Connell completed his eligibility as the school's all-time leader in career rushing yards (1,312) and touchdowns (19) by a quarterback. He ranks second in completions (664), attempts (1,151), total offense (9,001) and starts (33) and is third in career passing yards (7,689).
Robinson was picked as a honorable mention all-MWC selection after starting all 12 outings in 2007. Robinson made 38 starts over his four-year Aztec career and started his final 32 games on The Mesa.