Beuerlein Leads Blue to 31-7 Win Over Gray

Notre Dame quarterback Steve Beuerlein came to the 49th annual Blue-Gray All-Star football game to show the pro scouts what he could do, and he believes he accomplished his goal.

Beuerlein led the Blue on three scoring drives and threw for one touchdown as the North beat the South 31-7 on Thursday.

“I came here to prove I can play and to increase my chances in professional football, and I think I did that,” Beuerlein said. “I’m very pleased with my performance, and I think the scouts were, too.”

Beuerlein threw scoring passes of 23 and 7 yards to Michigan State’s Mark Ingram. Temple’s Paul Palmer scored on a 2-yard run and the Blue got its other touchdown on a 1-yard run by Washington State’s Kerry Porter.

Notre Dame’s John Carney kicked a 50-yard field goal to account for the only score of the first period. The Blue went ahead, 10-0, when Beuerlein, Notre Dame’s career passing leader, hit Ingram from 26 yards out on third and goal with 5:55 left in the half.

A botched Gray punt attempt early in the third quarter set the Blue up at the Gray 37, and Beuerlein needed only four plays to put more points on the board. Palmer gained 15 yards on first down, then Beuerlein hit Ingram for 18 more to the 4. Two plays later, Palmer bolted in for the touchdown with 12:17 left in the third.

The Gray offense responded by marching 76 yards in 11 plays for its only touchdown. Virginia quarterback Don Majkowski directed the drive, completing three passes for 42 yards. With 7:43 left in the quarter, Virginia’s Antonio Rice dove in for the touchdown.

Beuerlein hit Fresno State’s Stephen Baker for a 15-yard gain to the 31, then two plays later hit Washington State’s Porter for 23 yards to the 3. Porter scored on the next play for a 24-7 lead.

Beuerlein finished the day with 12 completions in 15 attempts for 142 yards. Palmer, runner-up to Miami quarterback Vinny Testaverde in voting for the Heisman Trophy, ran for 166 yards in 21 carries and was named the game’s most valuable player.