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Jan. 27, 2009

KINGSVILLE, Texas - The top players in NCAA Division II put on quite a show in the 2009 Valero Cactus Bowl. The back-and-forth affair featured five lead changes and came down to the final moments, when the East missed a potential game-winning 34-yard field goal with three seconds to play, as the West took a 28-27 victory. '

The West squad was led by West Texas A&M's Keith Null. Null was named the Offensive MVP as he passed for 240 yards and three touchdowns while completing a Cactus Bowl record 19 passes on 27 attempts. His 2-yard touchdown pass to Todd Burkoth (Winona State) with 4:20 remaining in the game proved to be the deciding points of the contest. Earlier in the game, he hooked up with fellow WT teammate Charly Martin for a touchdown.

West tight end Zach Miller (Nebraska-Omaha) led the squad with five catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. Marques Nelson (Pittsburg State) also added touchdown receptions.

The West defense was led by Defensive MVP outside linebacker Jeff Souder (Nebraska-Omaha) who had seven tackles and a pass break up. WT linebacker Jared Brock, a first-team all-America selection, contributed four tackles, while Gregory Toler (St. Paul's College) had one interception, which he returned for a Cactus Bowl record 44 yards.

East kicker Tom Schneider (North Alabama) had made four previous field goals to put his squad in position to win the game, but his last second effort missed to the right. His four field goals were also a new Cactus Bowl record.

The East received their final opportunity at the victory when they stopped the West offense inside the West 10-yard line and forced a punt with 1:41 remaining. Steven Jackson's (Fort Valley State) 21-yard return to the West 49-yard line gave the East good field position. Corey Russell (Tusculum) completed four straight passes to set up the field goal opportunity.

WT offensive lineman Devario Dorsey saw action early in the contest for the East squad, before being sidelined by a mild injury.

The East offense was led by Garrett Manning's (Henderson State) record-tying seven receptions for 122 yards. The passing was split between Mike McCabe (California, Pa.) who went 10-of-20 for 156 yards and Russell went 11-for-20 for 101 yards and a touchdown. Russell also rushed for a game high 71 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. George Washington (Mars Hill) set a new Cactus Bowl record with his 51-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.

The East defense forced four turnovers with Dante Dunn (Wayne State) leading the way with eight tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Barry Tate (Lenoir-Rhyne) had a game-high nine tackles on the evening and a pass break-up.

The West win ended a three-game winning streak by the East and improved their overall record to 9-5-1 in the series.