Jan. 19, 2008

HOUSTON, TX -- USD quarterback Josh Johnson (Oakand, CA) proved he belongs with the big boys as he was named the Offensive MVP of tonight's 83rd East-West Shrine Game. Seeing action in the 2nd and 4th quarters, Johnson rushed for 91 yards on just 3 carries, and finished 5-of-11 for 78 yards and one TD. In the 2nd quarter he led the West Squad down the field for a late field goal. In the 4th quarter his 42-yard run also set up his TD pass.

Johnson was helped by Kevin Robinson who returned a punt for a touchdown and linebacker Alvin Bowen sealed the 31-13 West win with a late interception return for a score as the West downed the East at the University of Houston's Robertson Field.

With the East leading, 3-0, late in the first quarter, Robinson of Utah State fielded a punt from Toledo's Brett Kern and effortlessly broke through the East's special teams for a 72-yard TD that gave the West the lead for good.

After the East narrowed the deficit to 24-13 on a five-yard run from Cory Boyd of South Carolina with 4:18 remaining, Iowa State's Bowen picked off Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith on the next possession and went untouched 20 yards into the end zone for the final margin.

The interception was one of four thrown by East quarterbacks, as Smith and Anthony Morelli of Penn State each had two.

In addition to the East's only touchdown, Boyd led the team with 63 total yards.