Abney Plays in Tazon de Estrellas

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

PUEBLA, MEXICO -- Jamiere Abney (Sr., TB, Bremerton, WA/Bremerton HS) from Willamette University played in the 2011 Tazon de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars), but didn't record any statistics, as the CONADEIP All-Stars from Mexico defeated Team Stars & Stripes, 45-27, on Saturday, Dec. 17.

The game between NCAA Division III All-Stars and their counterparts from colleges in Mexico was played in front of 10,200 fans at El Tempo del Dolor (The Temple of Pain).

Team Stars & Stripes built a 14-0 lead just over five minutes into the game. The U.S. scored its first touchdown on 10-yard pass from Dan Stiefel to Matt Robinette at the 9:52 mark of the opening quarter. Just 12 seconds later, Mexico fumbled and Colton Calvert returned the ball 21 yards for a U.S. touchdown.

Mexico answered with two scores during the rest of the first quarter. Miguel Guerrero scored on a 50-yard pass from Jorge Martinez to get Mexico on the scoreboard with 6:17 left in the first period. Leopold Lara hauled in a 28-yard pass from Gustavo Garcia just over four minutes later to tie the game.

Momentum was fully with the CONADEIP All-Stars when James Walter intercepted a U.S. pass and returned the ball 63 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Overall, Mexico tallied 38 unanswered points on its to a 31-14 halftime lead and a 38-14 advantage entering the fourth quarter.

Matt White finally broke the string of scoreless minutes when he registered a touchdown on a 24-yard pass from Stiefel with 11:34 left in the game. Each team scored one more touchdown the rest of the way.

Mexico gained 385 total yards, while Team Stars & Stripes amassed 305 yards. Both teams had difficulty on the ground, as Mexico rushed for just 56 yards on 38 carries (1.5 avg.) and the U.S. ran for 27 yards on 22 carries (1.2 avg.).

Stiefel of the U.S., Jorge Martinez of Mexico and Gustavo Garcia of Mexico each recorded two touchdown passes. Stiefel's touchdowns covered 10 yards and 24 yards. Martinez hooked up with receivers for touchdowns covering 50 and 55 yards, while Garcia connected for scores of 28 yards and 45 yards.

Alejandro Gonora of Mexico converted 6 of 6 extra points. He also kicked a 40-yard field goal for a total of nine points scored during the game.

Abney was the only player from the Northwest Conference to attend the Tazon de Estrellas this season. He rushed for 552 yards on 100 carries for the Bearcats this year, an average of 5.5 yards per carry. He scored three touchdowns.

In four seasons at Willamette, Abney gained 1,186 rushing yards on 210 carries, as he averaged 5.6 yards per rush. He scored a total of eight touchdowns. He also caught 14 passes during his career for 99 yards and one touchdown.

Abney was chosen First Team All-Northwest Conference this season. He previously earned Second Team All-NWC recognition in 2009 and was named Honorable Mention All-NWC in 2010.