East-West Shrine Game : Tillman, Fake Punt Help Spark East Win, 24-6

A fake punt and Lewis Tillman’s power running propeled the East to a 24-6 Shrine Game victory over the West Sunday in a game long on talent but short on offense.

Tillman of Jackson State, who was named offensive player of the game, ran for 86 yards and a touchdown to stand out in the all-star game that showcases the top college seniors. But the East coaching staff made the key decision on the drive on which Tillman scored from 1 yard out to help put his team ahead, 7-3, before a crowd of 76,000 at Stanford Stadium.

Shrine Game rules prohibit exotic formations and blitzing in order to best showcase the talent. But fake punts are allowed, and East kicker Mike Gillette of Michigan ran for a first down to spark the only touchdown drive of the first half.

“That was the turning point,” East Coach Mike Gottfried of Pitt said. “It was (Miami coach and East assistant) Jimmy Johnson’s idea. Johnson reviewed the rules yesterday and gave Gillette the green light.”

USC Coach Larry Smith, whose West team was held to 2 field goals, agreed with Gottfried.

“That fake punt really hurt us and so did the missed field goal (in the third quarter),” Smith said. “I think they were the keys to the ballgame. . . . You have to have big plays in these kinds of games.”

The game’s longest play sealed the outcome when Pitt linebacker Jerry Olsavsky intercepted a pass by Oregon State’s Erik Wilhelm and went 75 yards for a touchdown with 4:40 remaining.

Earlier in the fourth quarter, Tracy Johnson of Clemson ran for a touchdown to give the East a 17-6 lead. Rick Walsh of New Mexico provided the only West points with two first-half field goals.

Arkansas’ 6-foot 4-inch defensive back Steve Atwater intercepted two passes and was named defensive player of the game.

The West was without two heralded offensive players, USC quarterback Rodney Peete and Oklahoma State Hart Lee Dykes, both injured in the Hula Bowl.

The two West quarterbacks, starter Steve Taylor of Nebraska and late addition Wilhelm, completed only 17 of 45 passes for 141 yards and had 3 interceptions. The West was outgained, 245-142. USC’s Erik Affholter had 7 catches for 63 yards.

The fake punt came with the East stalled on its 45-yard line. Gillette took the snap on fourth and 7 and scooted unchallenged to his left for an 18-yard gain to the West 37.

One play later, Jay Gruden of Louisville found Michigan State’s big-play wide receiver, Andre Rison, on the left sideline for a 22-yard pass play to the 12.

Tillman, who carried 6 times for 18 yards on the drive, accounted for the remaining 12 yards on 4 runs and scored with 2:06 remaining in the half.

The West missed an opportunity to regain the lead in the third period when a bad snap foiled Walsh’s 28-yard field-goal try.