Gay, Tarver Perform Well In East-West Shrine Game
Jan 19, 2019, 4:39 PM | Updated: 5:40 pm
Ron'quavion Tarver #3 from Utah State playing on the West Team runs for a first down during the third quarter against the East Team at the 2019 East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field on January 19, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, Flor. – The West squad, featuring three players from the state of Utah, defeated the East team with two Beehive State players 21-17 in the annual East-West Shrine Game.
In the collegiate all-star game of sorts, several college players who played in Utah caught the attention of the NFL Network’s analysts both before and during the game.
Color analyst Bucky Brooks spoke highly of BYU’s Sione Takitaki prior to the game, saying he would definitely be a player to watch. Takitaki joined Utah kicker Matt Gay on the East team and recorded three tackles.
BYU LB Sione Takitaki has the game to match his name. Very athletic, around the ball all week long. (Early leader for best draft name this year)
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 17, 2019
Gay also received high praise from play-by-play man Andrew Siciliano, who said that Gay might be the best player in the game prior to the game. Gay nailed two point after attempts from NFL distance as well as a 47-yard field goal in the game.
.@Utah_Football‘s Matthew Gay from 47 yards out with PLENTY of room to spare 💪
📺: @shrine_game live on NFL Football pic.twitter.com/PjmKKIz2IO
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 19, 2019
Former Utah State wide receiver Ron’quavion Tarver, who suited up with former Utah stars Cody and Jackson Barton on the West squad, had a strong game leading his team in receiving while hauling in five catches for 66 yards. He had two catches in the West team’s opening drive to set up a touchdown.
💪💪 3️⃣receptions for 4️⃣7️⃣ yards pic.twitter.com/i8dQ2NMhop
— USU Football (@USUFootball) January 19, 2019
Cody Barton, who was honored with the game’s Pat Tillman Award on Friday, started the game at middle linebacker and finsihed with two tackles in the game. His brother, Jackson, came in as a substitute on the offensive line for the West.
