Smith claims West MVP honors in Hula Bowl

By JAYMES SONG/AP Sports Writer

HONOLULU (AP) - Central Florida receiver Brandon Marshall made another long trip to Hawaii worthwhile.

Marshall caught five passes for 101 yards and a touchdown to lead the East to a 10-7 victory over the West in the 60th edition of the Hula Bowl on Saturday.

He was playing in his second bowl game on the islands in less than a month. Marshall had 11 catches for 210 yards and three touchdowns to win co-MVP honors in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24.

Although he received the most MVP votes by the media in the Hula Bowl, the coaches trumped the selection and chose their own MVPs.

Illinois State defensive end Brent Hawkins was the MVP for the East while Missouri quarterback Brad Smith was the MVP for the West.

In front of a few thousand fans, the game became a defensive showdown after each team scored on their opening drives. Both teams struggled to move the ball, with receivers dropping passes, quarterbacks scrambling backward and running backs unable to break free.

Iowa State safety Steve Paris intercepted a long pass thrown by Texas Tech's Barrick Nealy, setting up the East's go-ahead touchdown in the second quarter.

A quick 10-yard TD pass from Linfield's Brett Elliott to Marshall gave the East a 10-7 lead and capped a five-play, 76-yard drive.

Marshall also made a nice move after the score, dancing hula in the corner of the end zone.

His only mistake in the game was an offensive pass-interference penalty that negated a 42-yard gain in the third quarter with the East on its own 2.

Josh Betts was 7-of-15 for 106 yards for the East. Georgia Tech's P.J. Daniels led all rushers with 54 yards on 12 carries.

Smith, who started at quarterback for the West, scored on a 16-yard run to give the West a 7-0 lead. Smith broke left but quickly ran into traffic. He reversed, got a couple of blocks from his receivers and dashed into the end zone.

Smith went 4-of-12 for 58 yards and teammate Nealy was 1-of-9 for minus-5 yards.

Notre Dame's D.J. Fitzpatrick kicked a 36-yard field goal to cut the West's advantage to 7-3.

The West failed to take advantage of two East turnovers late in the game, but the East defense held.

The West took possession on the East's 21 on an interception and 22-yard return by Iowa's Jovon Johnson. On third-and-long, Smith scrambled and lost 15 yards, taking the West out of field-goal range.

A few plays later, the West regained possession on its own 45 on an interception by Missouri's Marcus King. But Smith, pressing to make a play, fumbled the ball.