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Six Cats hope all-star snaps hike interestHolmes, Patrick, Fontenot to play Saturday in Hula
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.11.2008
You thought the college football season was over.
The postseason all-star season begins Saturday with the Hula Bowl, and the UA football team will be well represented.
Defensive end Louis Holmes, cornerback Wilrey Fontenot and safety Dominic Patrick will play in the game, which begins at 4 p.m.
In total, six Wildcats will take part in all-star games over the next month. Linebacker Spencer Larsen and defensive tackle Lionel Dotson will participate in next week's East-West Shrine Game. Antoine Cason has been invited to play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 26.
"I think we have some strong candidates, some guys who have a chance to improve themselves here in the next few months," UA coach Mike Stoops said. "I think we have some kids that can play at the next level. Hopefully, this will help them."
All-star games allow seniors to boost their profiles before they begin preparing for April's NFL draft. But there's more to it than that, said scout John Murphy of the Texas vs. The Nation all-star game.
Murphy said all-star games mostly benefit players who have the most to prove, whether it's because of size or speed issues, a position switch or off-the-field problems.
Cason and Larsen are considered sure to be drafted. The rest of Arizona's eligible seniors have a chance to boost their standings nationally.
Holmes is a high-end talent who struggled while at Arizona. Dotson came from relative obscurity to star in 2007. Fontenot has four years worth of experience as a starter, but has been questioned because of his size. Patrick is a big hitter who battled injuries for most of his senior season.
Here's a look at this year's games:
Hula Bowl
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu
TV: Versus
Synopsis: The Hula Bowl pits the Aina (East) versus the Kai (West) in an all-star showcase held on the island of Oahu. The nationally televised game has been a springboard for a number of football greats, including Larry Csonka, Joe Theismann, Joe Montana, Dan Marino and Deion Sanders.
Who's playing: Holmes, Fontenot and Patrick will play for the Kai. This year's game includes Washington State quarterback Alex Brink, USC center Matt Spanos, Stanford quarterback T.C. Ostrander and Utah defensive tackle Gabe Long — a one-time UA recruit.
Who's coaching: UNLV's Mike Sanford and Oregon State's Mike Riley will coach the Kai; Illinois' Ron Zook and Boston College's Jeff Jagodzinski will coach the Aina.
Don't miss: Holmes in a new number. The Wildcats' defensive end has shed his No. 1 for a No. 11 jersey for the Hula Bowl. In other number-related news, Fontenot will wear No. 3 and Patrick will don No. 6.
East-West Shrine Game
When: Jan. 19, 5 p.m.
Where: Robertson Stadium, University of Houston
TV: ESPN2
Synopsis: Billed as "the original and premier college football all-star game," the Shrine Game pits an east team against a west team for regional bragging rights. The East-West Shrine Game, founded in 1922, raises money and awareness for Shriners Hospitals for Children. The game has raised more than $14 million to help children's charities.
Who's playing: Dotson and Larsen will represent the UA on a West team that includes UCLA defensive end Bruce Davis. Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller and Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli will play for the East.
Who's coaching: Former NFL and college coach Dick Vermeil will coach the East, and former Cal and Oakland Raiders coach Mike White will coach the West.
Don't miss: Canadians! The East-West Shrine Game is the only all-star game that invites players from the Great White North. The University of Regina's Brendon LaBatte and the University of Saskatchewan's Dylan Barker will play for the West, while Laval's Eric Maranda and Sherbrooke's Samuel Giguere will play for the East.
Giguere is considered the best prospect of the four. He caught 45 passes for 871 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior.
Senior Bowl
When: Jan. 26, 2 p.m.
Where: Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala.
TV: NFL Network
Synopsis: The Senior Bowl has attracted some of college football's best players since 1951, with the proceeds benefiting numerous charities. The game pits North against South for regional bragging rights.
Who's playing: Cason has been invited to play for the South. Full rosters will be unveiled Jan. 20.
Who's coaching: The Senior Bowl is the only all-star game to pit NFL coaching staffs against each other. This year, Lane Kiffin and the Oakland Raiders' staff will run the North, while Mike Nolan and his 49ers assistants will coach the South.
Don't discount the value of NFL coaching: North Carolina State quarterback Philip Rivers was named MVP of the 2004 game. Months later, South coach Marty Schottenheimer brought Rivers to the Chargers with a draft-day trade.
Don't miss: Fresh gear. The Under Armour clothing company has put its stamp on the senior bowl, providing the simplest, sleekest and best uniforms of the all-star game season. Think Texas Tech's uniforms, only better.
Texas vs. The Nation
When: Feb. 2, 3 p.m.
Where: Sun Bowl, El Paso
TV: CSTV
Synopsis: The second-year game is fairly self-explanatory. A team of Texas college players and Texan-born players take on everybody else for bragging rights.
Who's playing: Six UA players were invited to play, but turned them down to take part in other games. LSU quarterback Matt Flynn will play for the Texas team against a Nation squad that includes Ohio State linebacker Larry Grant and Washington State linebacker Derrick Doggett.
Who's coaching: Former Alabama coach Gene Stallings will lead the Texas team against Buddy Ryan, the fiery defensive guru who made his name with the Philadelphia Eagles. Both men once coached the Arizona Cardinals — but they got invited anyway.
Don't miss: The rings. Each participant receives a commemorate ring courtesy of Intergold. The best swag in the bowl business.
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