Shrine Bowl: Griz Wortham big in return game

FRISCO, Texas — Michael Wortham got his touches at Tuesday’s East-West Shrine Bowl, even if it wasn’t in the passing game.

The Montana Grizzlies standout had three kickoff returns for 54 yards and two punt returns for 18 yards for the East All-Stars, who lost 21-17 to the West in a back-and-forth game at the Ford Center. 

Wortham, an All-American all-purpose player this past season for the 13-2 Grizzlies, was targeted once as a receiver and had no catches. His long kickoff return was 25 yards; he also had a 12-yard punt return. 

The West’s Mark Gronowski, the former South Dakota State quarterback who spent last season at Iowa, was named offensive MVP after completing 7 of 10 passes for 86 yards and rushing three times for 28 yards. 

Dom Richardson (Tulsa) who had 57 rushing yards on 10 carries, and Dean Connors (Houston) scored rushing touchdowns for the West. 

Richardson’s TD won the game with 6 seconds left and came after Aaron Hall (Duke) recovered a fumble — forced by Duke teammate Wesley Williams — in the end zone with 8:23 remaining to put the East up 17-15. 

Trey Smack (Florida) hit three field goals for the West, including a 57-yarder as time ran out in the first half to put his team ahead 12-8. 

That came just 26 seconds after the Jalon Daniels (Kansas) scored on a 3-yard run for the East.  

Only three FCS players besides Wortham were selected for the game. Incarnate World linebacker had five tackles and South Carolina State corner Jarod Washington had two stops for the East.

For the West, New Mexico’s Keyshawn James-Newby — who prepped at Helena High and played at Montana Tech and Idaho before playing with the Lobos — was credited with two quarterback hurries. He was also in on a special teams tackle.