Feb. 5, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Offensive lineman Zipp Duncan and tailback Alfonso Smith will play in the Texas vs. the Nation all-star game, slated for Saturday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. EST in Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.
The game, sponsored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will be televised by the CBS College Sports cable channel. Smith will wear uniform number 28 in the game and Duncan will wear number 73.
Duncan was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference pick as a senior by SEC coaches and Phil Steele’s College Football. He started every game of the last three seasons, 39 consecutive starts, at left tackle, left guard and right guard. Duncan helped the Wildcats roll up a school-record 475 points during the 2007 season and the Wildcats ranked among the nation’s leaders in fewest quarterback sacks and fewest tackles for loss allowed in 2008 and ’09.
Smith is known for his blazing speed, having run the 40-yard dash in as fast as 4.24 seconds on 2009 Pro Day. He rushed for 957 yards and eight touchdowns during his Kentucky career and caught 30 passes for 322 yards and two TDs. Smith also was a stalwart on special teams, making 28 tackles in kick coverage while averaging 22.5 yards on kickoff returns.
Texas vs. the Nation is in its fourth year of existence. Duncan and Smith will be the third and fourth Wildcats to participate in the event.
Tamme to the Super Bowl: Former Wildcat Jacob Tamme will participate in the 2010 Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 7 as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
Tamme is in his second season as a reserve tight end and special teams performer for the Colts. He caught three passes for 35 yards during the regular season and also had nine tackles on special teams.
Tamme becomes the 25 th Wildcat who played for teams that advanced to the Super Bowl that season. Prior to Tamme, the most recent was Jared Lorenzen, who was a member of the New York Giants squad that won the 2008 Super Bowl.
For an exclusive pre-Super Bowl interview with Tamme, check out the two-part series (part one, part two) with Cat Scratches.
