Syracuse senior running back
Antwon Bailey had 12 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown to lead the National team past the American team in the inaugural NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Saturday in Carson, Calif., 20-14. Junior safety
Phillip Thomas also played in the game, making four tackles for the American squad.
Bailey led all rushers in the contest, and also added three catches out of the backfield for 11 yards. With the National team up 3-0 in the second quarter, Bailey gave his team a 10-point cushion with an eight-yard scamper on first and goal. Bailey, a 2011 All-BIG EAST First Team selection this season, was the featured back throughout the drive, running for 25 yards on three carries.
Bailey rushed for 1,051 yards this season, becoming the 15th player in SU history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. His 2,144 career yards on the ground ranks him 16th all-time at Syracuse, and he is one of two BIG EAST running backs with six 100-yard games this season. Bailey was also named to Phil Steele's Postseason All-BIG EAST Second Team.
The Landover, Md. native owns the record for career receptions by a running back (91) and career receiving yards by a running back (706). Bailey is one of four SU running backs in history to have four consecutive 100-yard rushing games, and had a career day against Cincinnati with 135 yards on the ground on 27 carries and five catches for 43 yards.
Thomas led the defense with 82 tackles (54 solo) in 2011, and had a conference leading six interceptions. He was named to Phil Steele's Postseason All-BIG EAST Second Team and CBSSports.com All-BIG EAST Team.