Where's our annual Blue-Gray Game thread?

That's racist.

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broadcast live on the Jefferson Pilot Network

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Stay tuned for the Jeep Eagle Aloha Bowl between Georgia Tech and Stanford. We'll get you out to Honolulu shortly.

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Urban Meyer must still love football to coach an obscure game on Christmas

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I'm surprised he didn't opt out due to heart problems. I would have expected him to after Notre Dame opted out of the bowls and gave the Blue a decent group of seniors.

For those of you missed the game, here is the complete summary of the action:

Blue-Gray All-Star Game Summary: Gray Edges Blue in Thrilling 31-30 Finish

In a heart-pounding Christmas Day showdown at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, the Gray team (South) held off a furious late rally by the Blue team (North) to secure a 31-30 victory in the revived Blue-Gray College All-Star Game. The game showcased top NFL Draft-eligible seniors from programs not participating in the College Football Playoff or any bowl games, delivering an exciting display of future pro talent under legendary coaches Ed Orgeron (Coach O) for the Gray squad and Urban Meyer for the Blue.

The Gray struck first when quarterback Marcus Hale from South Alabama connected on a 42-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyrell Jenkins of Troy early in the opening quarter. The Blue answered midway through the first with a 12-play drive capped by a 6-yard rushing touchdown from running back Devin Brooks of Western Kentucky, tying the score at 7-7. The Gray pulled ahead before halftime on two field goals by kicker Sofia Ramirez from Jackson State and an opportunistic pick-six by linebacker Kai Thompson from Alabama A&M, who intercepted Blue QB Landon Pierce of Notre Dame and returned it 28 yards to the house. At halftime, Gray led 20-10.

The second half was all fireworks. Blue narrowed the gap in the third quarter with a 75-yard touchdown bomb from Pierce to receiver Jamal Hayes of Toledo. Gray responded immediately when Hale scrambled for a 15-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 27-17. Early in the fourth, Blue capitalized on a Gray fumble, scoring on a 3-yard TD pass from Pierce to tight end Riley Ford of South Dakota State, cutting it to 27-24. Gray extended the margin to 30-24 with another Ramirez field goal. Blue stormed back, tying the game at 30-30 on a 1-yard plunge by Brooks with 4:32 remaining.

Gray reclaimed the lead on the next possession, marching 68 yards in nine plays—highlighted by Hale's 22-yard dart to Jenkins on third-and-long—and Ramirez drilled a 38-yard field goal with 1:18 left to make it 31-30.

On the final drive, Urban Meyer's Blue team moved swiftly into Gray territory. Pierce completed passes of 18 and 25 yards to Hayes, setting up a potential game-winning 45-yard field goal attempt by kicker Alex Chen from Miami of Ohio as time expired. But Gray defensive end Jaxon Reed from Grambling State burst through the line untouched and blocked the kick cleanly, preserving the 31-30 victory and sending the holiday crowd into celebration.

The Jefferson Pilot Network broadcast featured play-by-play from Jack Harlan, color commentary by Tommy "The Tank" Reynolds, and analysis from Elena Vargas. Standout stats included Hale going 22-of-35 for 287 yards and two touchdowns, while Pierce threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.

The Golden Flake Player of the Game was awarded to Gray quarterback Marcus Hale from South Alabama, whose composure in directing two late scoring drives and accounting for three total touchdowns proved decisive in the one-point thriller.

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Analyst Elena Vargas, the acclaimed sports writer from The Athletic

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