Stuckey has big day at Shrine game

By Dugan Arnett     Jan 24, 2010

Nick Krug
Safety Darrell Stuckey is one of the most decorated Kansas University football players, but his mom and those who saw him grow up say he might be a better person than a player.

Darrell Stuckey made the most of his final collegiate game Saturday, turning in the best performance of any of the three former Kansas University football players who participated in the annual East-West Shrine football all-star game in Orlando, Fla.

As a member of the West Team, the safety and Kansas City, Kan., native tied for game-high honors with seven tackles, though his West team fell, 13-10, to the East.

“Given the number of reps we were given in the all-star game, I felt like I played really well,” said Stuckey, who was joined by former KU receiver Kerry Meier and quarterback Todd Reesing as members of the West team. “Of course, I made some mistakes, but I feel like I was a credit to my team, especially on special teams.”

Reesing, who completed his Kansas career holding nearly every school passing record, was behind center for the West’s first scoring drive, which culminated in a 47-yard field goal by Texas’ Hunter Lawrence midway through the second quarter.

In the final minutes of the first half, however, Reesing was intercepted by East Carolina’s Van Eskridge, leading to an East field goal that put the West behind, 6-3, heading into halftime.

Reesing, one of three West quarterbacks to see action, finished 2-of-5 passing for 11 yards and an interception and carried the ball twice for another 11 yards, saying afterward that despite his disappointing performance, he’s still confident in his prospects as a professional.

“I’m tall enough to ride the rides over at Universal Studios,” he said, responding to speculation that his 5-foot-11 height might turn away NFL teams. “I was a successful quarterback in high school and college, and I can do the same as a professional.”

Meier didn’t record a catch in the game.

Despite scoring the go-ahead touchdown with seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the West couldn’t hold on late, as East quarterback Mike Kafka led an 11-play, 55-yard drive in the game’s final minutes.

Kafka, from Northwestern, capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Penn State tight end Andrew Quarless with six seconds remaining to secure a victory and lock up offensive most-valuable-player honors.

Eskridge was named defensive player of the game.

PREV POST

KU women lose to Oklahoma, 81-69

NEXT POST

34524Stuckey has big day at Shrine game