Marlon Lucky made the most of his rare moments in the spotlight in the East-West Shrine Game.
The Nebraska running back rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown on seven carries and the East defense stopped the West three times inside the 10-yard line to secure a 24-19 win Saturday in the annual showcase for college all-stars hoping to make an impression on NFL scouts.
Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel wasn't nearly as impressive. Daniel, playing for the East, completed just two of nine passes, for 1 yard, before being replaced by Brian Hoyer late in the first quarter. Hoyer was three of four passing for 60 yards in his stint.
Lucky was only the Cornhuskers' second-leading rusher this season but by season's end was third on the depth chart and needed a good performance Saturday to help his chances of playing in the pros.
"It was a big one for me,"
said Lucky, voted the game's offensive most valuable player. "I didn't have a strong year and to just come out and play my game and show what I can do, I seized the opportunity. Now it's back to training."
Javarris Williams and Tyrell Sutton had touchdown runs for the East. Tom Brandstater and Stephen McGee threw touchdown passes for the West.
The East won for the first time since 2005 and set the tone with an early goal-line stand.
Gartrell Johnson, Colorado State's leading rusher the past three seasons, broke a 39-yard run on the West's first possession and a 12-yard pass from Brandstater to Thomas set up first and goal.
But West fullback Jorvorskie Lane, who set a Texas A&M record with 49 career rushing touchdowns, was stopped three times inside the 5-yard line and the East took over at its own 1.
