Nevada senior quarterback Jeff Rowe has received an invitation to play in the annual East-West Shine Game in January. The Wolf Pack signal-caller will play for the West team in the all-star game, which features the top seniors from around the country.
“This is a tremendous honor, not just for me but also for my teammates because football is a team game,” Rowe said. “To have the chance to play in this game is a great opportunity and it means a lot to me.”
The 82nd East-West Shrine Game will be played Jan. 20, 2007 at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Considered the “Premier All-Star Game in America,” the game helps raise money and awareness for the 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children across the country.
A Reno native (McQueen High School), Rowe is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the WAC and on the West Coast. He ranks in the top 10 on all of Nevada career passing charts. This season, Rowe has completed 109-of-163 passes (66.9 percent) for 1,240 yards with 11 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
“I am pleased and excited for Jeff,” said Nevada coach Chris Ault. “He is a great representative of this program and university. The Shrine Game is a wonderful opportunity to showcase his talents. We're all very proud of him, and I'm confident that this honor will add even more excitment to his final four regular-season games as a member of the Pack.”
The West team will be coached by Dan Reeves, who has coached in a record nine Super Bowls as an assistant and head coach. Reeves was a longtime NFL head coach, first with the Denver Broncos and then with the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons. He retired with a career mark of 201-174-2. The East team will be coached by Don Shula.
Nevada did not have a representative in the 2006 Shrine Game but three Wolf Pack players took part in the classic from 2003-05. Wideout Nate Burleson was in the 2003 game and linebacker Jorge Cordova played in 2004. In 2005, offensive lineman Harvey Dahl played in the game.
