Illini Duo Shines in Shrine Game
January 22, 2017 | Football
Lunt, Nickerson both turn in solid performances in front of NFL scouts
Shrine Game Website | Box Score
TAMPA, Fla. – Fighting Illini QB Wes Lunt and LB Hardy Nickerson both had solid performances to help the West squad to a 10-3 victory in the 92nd edition of the East West Shrine Game Saturday at Tropicana Field.
Lunt started at quarterback for the Wes, completing 11-of-14 passes for 101 yards, including a long completion of 37. He was not sacked and did not turn the ball over. His 96.7 QB rating was the best among the six quarterbacks that played in the Shrine Game.
Nickerson, meanwhile, had four tackles, one TFL and one pass breakup for a dominant West defense that held the East to just three points, nine first downs and 224 total yards.
In addition to Lunt and Nickerson, Illini DT Chunky Clements also is in St. Petersburg, but did not play in the game due to injury.
Next week, two more Illini – DE Carroll Phillips and DE Dawuane Smoot, are slated to play in the Reese's Senior Bowl. Practices begin on Jan. 24, with the game scheduled for Jan. 28, 2017 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. Two Illini played in last year's senior bowl – DL Jihad Ward (currently with the Raiders) and WR Geronimo Allison (currently with the Packers).
#Illini making plays in the @Shrine_Game. ?? pic.twitter.com/eJFljuMuwu
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) January 21, 2017
Like father, like son: Hardy Nickerson Jr. the spitting image of former Bucs star https://t.co/uMl4L4DzFT via @TB_Times
— Michelle Schmidt (@MschmidtShelly) January 22, 2017
End of 1st quarter: West 3, East 0
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) January 21, 2017
West QB West Lunt (@IlliniFootball): 7-of-8 for 68 yds. #ShrineGame
Wes Lunt of Illinois warms up prior to the #shrinegame. Photo by @StatBoyDrew pic.twitter.com/VDlIghupAA
— ChadBrockhoff (@TheCBrockShow) January 21, 2017
Crazy Comp: Wes Lunt reminds me a little of Tom Brady coming out of Michigan. Not as smooth but shows good pocket awareness &
— John S (@xnojoe) January 21, 2017
anticipation.
Illinois LB Hardy Nickerson may not be the biggest or most athletic, but smart, reads plays well & has great zone awareness in coverage
— Mike Margittai NFL (@DraftMaverick) January 21, 2017
