EL PASO -- The Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Game rosters include a number of players who have played in the Sun Bowl, but only two have scored touchdowns.
One, of course, is deep snapper Jamar Hunt, who was a standout tight end for UTEP. The other is Oregon's Jaison Williams, whose 14-yard touchdown reception early in the second half broke open the 2007 Sun Bowl against South Florida. He finished as the Ducks' leading receiver with four catches for 40 yards.
"That was a fond memory, beating up on South Florida," said Williams, who will play for The Nation team on Saturday. "I remember getting in the end zone, and I remember convoying down the sideline with Jonathan Stewart."
Stewart, the MVP of that Sun Bowl and now the featured back with the Carolina Panthers, rushed for 253 yards in that game, including the 71-yard touchdown Williams referenced.
"I was excited to get invited here," Williams added. "This has been a good experience."
Through adversity: Ohio State defensive tackle Nader Abdallah enjoyed a strong senior year, earning his school's lineman of the year award and establishing himself as its primary run stopper. That marked the end of a productive career with the Buckeyes, and one that featured some incredible hardship in 2005.
When Abdallah was a sophomore, his hometown of Metairie, La., was wiped out by Katrina, forcing his family to relocate to his Columbus, Ohio, apartment with very few belongings. They remained there until April, 2006. His parents since have moved to their native Palestine.
"This week in El Paso has been great for me," Abdallah said. "It has given me an opportunity to meet with scouts from every NFL team, and I feel that my draft stock has really gone up drastically since the day I got here."
He will represent the Texas team on Saturday.
Moment of fame: The website youtube.com has created quite a few overnight sensations and gave Texas A&M punter Justin Brantley a bit of reflected glory, albeit some he probably didn't want.
A clip making the internet rounds titled "Hitler's Aggie Football Rant" takes a scene from the Oscar nominated 2004 movie "Downfall" where Adolf Hitler goes on a wild rant and puts in some new subtitles ripping the Texas A&M Football team, of which he is a fan (in the doctored clip, of course).
At one point the actor playing Hitler screams "I'm actually relieved when fourth down comes along. At least that Brantley kid knows how to freakin' punt."
A&M isn't alone. That clip has also been used to parody the Dallas Cowboys and the English soccer team Tottenham, among others. It can be found on youtube.com searching for "Hitler Aggies."
Brantley is punting for the Texas team.
Series history: The series is tied 1-1. The Nation won the 2007 game 24-17 in front of 21,548 fans. Texas won 41-14 last year in front of 26,821 fans.
Bret Bloomquist may be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; 546-6359.
