Blue-Gray All-Star Football Game : Wilhelm Takes Over in Time for Blue

Jack Bicknell, North offensive coach, said he should have relied more on Oregon State’s Erik Wilhelm in the 51st Blue-Gray All-Star football game Sunday.

With the Blue trailing, 21-14, Wilhelm led an 82-yard touchdown drive, connecting with Kendal Smith for a 24-yard scoring pass play with 24 seconds left. Aaron Jenkins then ran for the conversion which accounted the decisive points in the Blue’s 22-21 victory.

“The reason it (the late touchdown drive) was so effective was that I wasn’t calling the plays,” Bicknell said. “We had not practiced the 2-minute offense other than talking about it.”

Bicknell said Wilhelm just took control.

“I was laughing at myself,” Bicknell said. “We would have been better to let him call the plays all game.”

Wilhelm completed 11 of 17 passes for 119 yards with no interceptions, and Jenkins also scored two second-half touchdowns.

The Gray had taken a 14-0 halftime lead on Lewis Tillman’s 2-yard run and an 8-yard touchdown pass play from quarterback Jeff Francis to wide receiver Rod Harris.

The Blue scored in the third quarter on a 14-play, 68-yard drive capped by Jenkins’ 7-yard touchdown run. The Blue tied the score in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Jenkins.

Tillman’s 4-yard touchdown run gave the South the 21-14 lead.

Linebacker Steve Hendrickson of California was named most valuable player for the Blue team, and Tillman of Jackson State was MVP for the Gray.

Hendrickson had 17 tackles and broke up 1 pass; Tillman gained 86 yards and 2 touchdowns in 25 carries.

Harris, from Texas A&M;, was voted the Gray offensive player of the game, and Richard Harvey of Tulane was named Gray defensive player.

Harris caught 6 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. Harvey had eight tackles.

Jenkins, from Washington, was named the outstanding offensive player for the Blue and lineman Burt Grossman of Pittsburgh was selected the top defensive player.

Jenkins finished with 46 yards in 8 rushes. Grossman had 7 tackles.