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It turns out the East team has the right approach. The two teams had entirely different approaches during practice and it turned out that the East team won 25-0 without their best quarterback playing in the game. But we’ll get to that in the notes section. Here are your East team game notes from the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl!
One last reminder here. These are flash takeaways. Just first impressions watching the actual game. We have the tape practice footage this year so more content from this game is one the way.
Quarterback:
Cam Miller got the start. He played the entire first half. He’s got some crafty energy to him. His biggest problem was he fumbled two snaps. One maybe you can say was bad chemistry. It sure as hell can’t happen twice. Reckless can’t happen. Not with his skillset. Had some moments. Zero clock awareness at the end of the half. Could have called a timeout and kicked but had no clue on the clock. He finished the game 10/17 for 99 yards and no touchdowns. He doesn’t look draftable to him.
Payton Thorne gets the second half. That means Kyle McCord must have shut it down. Can’t say I blame him after the practice he had. The guy is a total hot mess but he can run. Played the entire second half and threw for 27 yards. I’m not sure what to tell you that I haven’t said all year.
Running Back:
Arizona back gets the first carry. He’s not slow I’ll give him that. He ripped off some big runs in this one. One was in shot gun. Another on a toss outside. Not an inside runner. I’ll tell you this. He was far better in the game than in practice. Only played one real game last year so wasn’t entirely sure to expect. Croskey-Merritt was on it. 11 carries for 97 yards and two scores speaks for itself. Easily the most impactful player on offense. This game makes you want to really go back and do your homework.
Wide Receiver:
Bunch more meh from Ja’Corey Brooks. Dropped what would have been a big game to start the second half. Two targets and no receptions. Caught a two pointer but who cares. Can the guy just take over a game just once, damnit!
Eastern Washington guy Chism led the team with four receptions for 43 yards. Only had four targets too. He’s not the next Cooper Kupp but maybe he doesn’t totally suck.
Tight End:
Fairweather still looks raw. Has to catch better. Shilo Sanders all over him deflecting a pass. Based on how Shilo looked during the week (not good) it’s not exactly what you’re looking for. Got multiple looks. Multiple drops. Finish the damn play, dude. I saw at least four drops. There’s just too many tight ends in this draft to take Fairweather seriously as one of the top end options.
Offensive Line:
Esa Pole is easily my favorite on the East team. If I’m targeting on from that group it’s him. Looked smooth again. Made some plays in the run game. Never looked like he gave up a bad pressure. This dude can absolutely play. Only had positives to say from practice too.
Defensive Line:
Nebraska making some plays in the run game. They brought up the wrestling background in the broadcast and you can kinda see it with the leverage. He’s all power and leverage with not much else.
Tonka Hemingway is killing it out there. Very impactful. Ended up notching a sack, TFL, and two pass deflections. Felt like he was being held the entire night. Big reason why they won. Between Hemingway, Pegues, and Walker, they took over the game.
Johnny Walker showing out. Beat Florida. Beat Cincinnati. Has bend. Good first step. Strip sack fumble and showed a real get off. His two sacks were nice. They couldn’t handle his athletic traits.
JJ Pegues!!! This is just what he does. Ole Miss used him on offense for a reason. Big man interception. Hell of a week of practice. Rare breed. There’s something here. Looked different from everyone else during practice too.
Linebackers:
It’s Mauigoa and Dumas-Johnson. Trust me. Those are the two worth your time.
Cornerbacks:
Tyron Herring had a game. It included an interception. Next series he clobbers 81 so that he drops it. Gotta have DBs who can play physical. Didn’t see much during the practices to where I even jotted stuff down. Will do more of that with the film copy.
O’Donnell Fortune with a pick 6! I loved him during the year and he killed it out there. Two pass breakups. He will be a sleeper favorite of mine.
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