Nussmeier leads 2 scoring drives as the Americans beat the Nationals 17-9 in the Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier drove in a pair of touchdowns, including a keeper for a score, as the American team beat the National Team 17-9 on Saturday in the Senior Bowl.

Nussmeier led a 12-play, 68-yard opening drive that ended with his 3-yard run on a read-option play.

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Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia led the Nationals from the start. After an opening 18-yard completion to NC State tight end Justin Joly, Kentucky running back Seth McGowan fumbled. Mizzouri’s Zion Young recovered the ball, handing it to Oklahoma defensive tackle Gracen Halton, who had it punched by Pavia. The American defense recovered it.

After three rushes for 41 yards by Virginia’s J’Mari Taylor, Oklahoma’s Jayden Ott had a 5-yard score. Nussmeier found Notre Dame receiver Malachi Fields for a successful two-point conversion.

Nussmeier was 5 of 8 for 57 yards with an interception that went into the hands of Wyoming tight end John Michael Gyllenborg and the hands of Nebraska’s Deshon Singleton.

Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson was similarly intercepted later in the quarter. His pass slipped out of the hands of Louisville receiver Caullin Lacy, and Northwestern’s Fred Davis II intercepted it for the American team.

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BYU’s Will Ferrin added a 40-yard field goal with 3:02 left to make it 17-0 at halftime for the American team.

Pavia re-entered the game with 6:35 to go in the third and continued into the fourth, using a 29-yard run by McGowan to set up a 52-yard field goal by Iowa’s Drew Stevens. Pavia finished 10 of 13 for 78 yards.

Michigan receiver Donaven McCulley, who accepted a late invitation to the national team’s Senior Bowl, led all receivers with four receptions for 50 yards. He had a 14-yard reception on the national team’s final drive to set up a 1-yard score for FAU’s Kejon Owens.

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