CHARLESTON, SC — The final day of practice for the 2nd Annual Medal of Honor Bowl concluded Friday at Johnson Hagood Stadium with both teams doing a final walk-through before Saturday’s game that kicks off at 2:30 pm. The players were on the field in their Medal of Honor Bowl sweats, going through their responsibilities one last time.

Special teams appeared to be the focus of the American team’s practice Friday with coaches making sure each player knew their responsibilities, and if they went down who the backup was. Friday’s final tune-up had the American team coaches feeling good.

At the end of practice Hall of Fame Coach Willie Jeffries told his players, “You guys have worked hard at practice this week. I am confident you are ready for tomorrow.”

The National team, under former NFL and college head coach Chan Gailey, took a different approach to their practice. While the National team was also in their sweats at the walk-through, they were working on refining their defensive and offensive plays. Coach Gailey wanted to make sure that his guys make the most of their opportunity.

“Tomorrow’s game film will be sent everywhere,” he said. “All NFL teams and the entire Canadian league. We will try to get everyone on the field, so when you are on the field, show who you are and what you can do.”

Both teams will definitely be ready for Saturday’s game, and everyone is focused on the goal of making the NFL. The question now is who will shine the most?

CHARLESTON SC—Cold weather was the overwhelming theme as the National team took the practice field Thursday at The Citadel.

The National team began practice indoors on Thursday under former NFL and college head coach Chan Gailey as they walked through some plays and got stretched out. The National team then headed outside to Willson Field for their 36-play script.

Coach Gailey was very satisfied with Thursday’s practice, even though the outside portion was shortened due to cold weather.

“We got a lot done inside and outside,” he said. “I’m very satisfied with today’s practice result. We got 40 good minutes outside and got through all of our plays.”

Coach Gailey put some wrinkles in the offense, with many screens and reverses taking place. South Carolina wide receiver Damiere Byrd was the recipient of several of these plays as his speed and quickness make him a viable option.

Defense also made several impressive plays. On the first play of the outside portion, Ole Miss linebacker Serderius Bryant hauled in a one-handed interception that would have gone for a touchdown. The National team is loaded with playmakers on both sides of the ball.

When asked about the game Saturday, Coach Gailey said, “I’m confident going into tomorrow’s practice, but there is still some thing’s to work out.”

On Friday, both teams will have their walk-throughs at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

The Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be televised nationally by the NBC Sports Network, is a premier all-star that features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disable veterans, and wounded warriors.

Game tickets, which range from $15-$40, may be secured at the Medal of Honor Bowl Game’s dedicated website www.MOHbowl.com. They will also be available at The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647). One Lucky ticket holder will drive home with a new Mercedes-Benz, thanks to Baker Motors and Mercedes-Benz.

For more information, please refer to Twitter:@MOHbowl and Facebook.com/MOHbowl

CHARLESTON SC — Under direction of former NFL and college head coach Chan Gailey, the National team concluded their third day of practice on a cold and windy day at The Citadel’s Willson field on Wednesday afternoon.

However, the cold weather did not stop the National team from having a successful day of practice. The offense looked sharp, and the defense was playing as unit as they made multiple big plays in a scrimmage.

It was clear that Wednesday’s focus on offense was on the tight end position. Auburn’s C.J. Uzomah, and Bowie State’s Khari Lee were all over the field, scoring touchdowns and making blocks leading to touchdowns. Wide receivers were not the only guys who can score for the offense.

While the fundamentals and X’s and O’s were the main focus of the practice, leadership and a little fun were not hard to find.

Rutgers’ quarterback Gary Nova and Clemson offensive linemen David Beasley were having a ball on the practice field as each could be found leading chants or getting their respective positions hyped up for drills.

Only with their teams for less than a week, the National team has found its defensive leader. Navy’s Paul Quessenberry not only kept his fellow linebackers on their toes, but also the entire team. Quessenberry is a natural leader and can be heard all across the field.

The Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be televised nationally by the NBC Sports Network, is a premier all-star that features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disable veterans and wounded warriors.

Game tickets, which range from $15-$40, may be secured at the Medal of Honor Bowl Game’s dedicated website www.MOHbowl.com. They will also be available at The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647). One Lucky ticket holder will drive home with a new Mercedes-Benz, thanks to Baker Motors and Mercedes-Benz.

For more information, please refer to Twitter:@MOHbowl and Facebook.com/MOHbowl

CHARLESTON, SC– The National team concluded day No. 2 of practice for the 2nd Annual Medal of Honor Bowl Game Tuesday afternoon at The Citadel’s Willson Field.

The National team, under the direction of former NFL and college head coach Chan Gailey, practiced in shoulder pads and helmets. With the gear on, Coach Gailey was able to pick up the intensity of practice.

Many Southeastern Conference players were making plays, including the University of South Carolina’s wide receiver Damiere Byrd and Texas A&M wide receiver Malcome Kennedy showcased their speed in one-on-one drills.

Buffalo University defensive tackle Kristjan Sokoli was hard to miss on the field. Not only does he have NFL size (6-5, 293), but he could also be found in the offensive backfield making plays on the running backs while harassing the quarterback. Sokoli was also the star of the one-on-one pass rushing drills against the offensive line.

In the team huddle following practice, Coach Gailey was very specific about this week’s goal. “You guys are here to make the NFL, not to party. The fun can wait.”

The approximately 150 NFL scouts circling the field surely helped emphasize the goal.

The Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be televised nationally by the NBC Sports Network, is a premier all-star that features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disable veterans, and wounded warriors.

Game tickets, which range from $15-$40, may be secured at the Medal of Honor Bowl Game’s dedicated website www.MOHbowl.com. They will also be available at The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647). One Lucky ticket holder will drive home with a new Mercedes-Benz, thanks to Baker Motors and Mercedes-Benz.

For more information, please refer to Twitter:@MOHbowl and Facebook.com/MOHbowl

CHARLESTON, SC — Although this was only the first day of practice, one could tell the National team was quickly beginning to mesh.

The National team took The Citadel’s Willson Field for the first time as they prepare for the 2nd Annual Medal of Honor Bowl Game that will be held on Saturday. The team is under the guidance of Chan Gailey, the former head coach of the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

The National team exhibited friendly competition as they practiced in shorts without helmets and pads.

Offensive lineman Kendall Lamm from Appalachian State was happy to return to the practice field after a “long wait from late November.”

Safety Keenan Lambert from Norfolk State was the playmaker of Monday’s practice with two interceptions. Also, Malcome Kennedy from Texas A&M had approximately 150 NFL scouts in awe with a great, one-handed touchdown catch.

After Monday’s initial practice, Coach Gailey was ecstatic with his team’s performance, especially compared to last year.

“Today was a much better first day than last year,” said Gailey, who guided the National team in the bowl’s inaugural year. “The team’s talent, execution and retention from meetings was very good for a first day of practice,” he added.

The Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be televised live nationally by the NBC Sports Network, is a premier all-star game the features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor recipients and the game’s beneficiaries, the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disabled veterans and wounded warriors.

Game tickets, which range from $15-$40, may be secured at the Medal of Honor Bowl Game’s dedicated website www. MOHbowl.com. They will also be available at The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647).  One lucky ticket holder will drive home with a new Mercedes-Benz, thanks to Baker Motors and Mercedes-Benz.

For more information, please refer to Twitter: @MOHbowl and Facebook.com/MOHbowl

Set for 2:30 pm on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at The Citadel’s Johnson Hagood Stadium, the Medal of Honor Bowl is a premier all-star game the features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor recipients and the game’s beneficiaries, the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Sapp played for the Tigers from 1992 to 1995 and lettered all four seasons. He began his career at Clemson as a quarterback and complied 2,278 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 starts over three seasons. He converted to linebacker in 1995 and led Clemson with 5.5 sacks that season.

The Jacksonville, Fla. native went on to be drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the NFL Draft (50th overall) in 1996 and enjoyed a four-year NFL career with the Chargers and Arizona Cardinals. In 63 NFL games Sapp recorded 57 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble.

Since March 2006, Sapp has been serving as the Director of Major Gifts at Clemson University.

CHARLESTON, SC –

Chan Gailey, the former Georgia Tech, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys head coach, will return to the guide the National Squad for the 2nd Annual Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be played on January 10, 2015, at The Citadel’s Johnson Hagood Stadium.

“The Medal of Honor Bowl is thrilled to have an experienced NFL coach in Chan Gailey return as coach of our National Team,” said Medal of Honor Bowl Chairman Tom McQueeney. “Coach Gailey is perfect for this format. He’s well respected, experienced, and has taught players at every level. The players that came here last year expressed their admiration of his coaching style and insight to the business that is the NFL.”

Gailey guided the National Team in the Bowl’s inaugural year in 2014, but the American Team, which was coached by Ralph Friedgen, prevailed, 20-3. Friedgen is currently coaching at Rutgers University as their offensive coordinator and will not be available to coach in the 2015 game. The coach of the American Team will be announced soon, according to McQueeney.

After graduating from the University of Florida in 1974 where he was a three-year quarterback for Doug Dickey(1971-73),Gailey stayed with Florida as a graduate assistant for two years before taking his first true coaching job as the secondary coach for Troy State University in Alabama. After two seasons there, he spent four seasons with the Air Force Academy, including two as defensive coordinator under Ken Hatfield. In 1983, he took over the head coaching duties at Troy, where he led the Trojans to a 12–1 record in 1984 en route to the Division II championship.

Prior to serving as a NFL head coach, Gailey coached under Dan Reeves with the Denver Broncos (1985–90), Bill Cowher of the Pittsburgh Steelers (1994–97), Dave Wannstedt of the Miami Dolphins (2000–01) and Herman Edwards of the Kansas City Chiefs (2008).

In 1985 Gailey moved to the NFL when the Denver Broncos signed him as a defensive assistant and special teams coach. The team made three Super Bowl appearances during his six-year tenure. In 1991, Gailey left the NFL to become the head coach of the Birmingham Fire of the World League of American Football, where the team made the playoffs in both years that he was coach.

After a one-year stint as head coach at Samford University, he returned to the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started as the wide receivers coach, and then moved to offensive coordinator for the 1996 and 1997 seasons. The Steelers won their division all four years, and made one Super Bowl appearance.

In 1998 Gailey was hired to take over a struggling Dallas Cowboys squad, one that had faltered under Barry Switzer during his last year. Gailey’s Cowboys won the NFC East in 1998, and made the playoffs under his two years at the reins. Gailey remains the only Cowboys coach to make the playoffs every season with his team.

He returned to the offensive coordinator role, this time with the Miami Dolphins for the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

Gailey was hired by the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in 2002 to replace George O’Leary. In his first five years at Georgia Tech, Gailey compiled a 37–27 record and went to bowl games each year, winning the 2003 Humanitarian Bowl (a 52–10 win over Tulsa) and the 2004 Champs Sports Bowl (a 51–14 victory over Syracuse). The 2006 season was his most successful at Georgia Tech as the Yellow Jackets won the ACC Coastal Division.

In 2008 Gailey became the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs and was introduced as the 15th head coach of the Buffalo Bills on January 19, 2010, replacing interim Head Coach Perry Fewell.

A native of Gainesville, Georgia, Gailey graduated in 1970 from Americus High School where he earned letters in basketball, baseball and golf. In football, he was an all-state selection as quarterback.

Gailey, 62, won’t be the only NFL man in town. The premier all-star event expects to have around two-hundred NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers in attendance when practices begin on January 5.

The Medal of Honor Bowl is a premier all-star game that features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL draft. The game honors the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients with expected proceeds dedicated to the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. The new Medal of Honor museum is planned for Patriot’s Point.

For player confirmations and news surrounding the game, follow @MOHbowl on Twitter and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MOHbowl

Coach Chan Gailey (Year-by-Year)

1974-75 Florida (Graduate Assistant)

1976-78 Troy State (Defensive Backs)

1979-80 Air Force (Defensive Backs)

1981-82 Air Force (Defensive Coordinator)

1983-84 Troy State (Head Coach)

1985-86 Denver Broncos (Tight Ends / Special Teams)

1987 Denver Broncos (Wide Receivers / Tight Ends)

1988 Denver Broncos (Quarterbacks Coach)

1989-90 Denver Broncos (Offensive Coordinator / Wide Receivers)

1991-92 Birmingham Fire (Head Coach)

1993 Samford (Head Coach)

1994-96 Pittsburgh Steelers (Wide Receivers)

1997 Pittsburgh Steelers (Offensive Coordinator)

1998-99 Dallas Cowboys (Head Coach)

2000-01 Miami Dolphins (Offensive Coordinator)

20002-07 Georgia Tech (Head Coach)

2008 Kansas City Chiefs (Offensive Coordinator)

2010-12 Buffalo Bills (Head Coach)

About the Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is America’s highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. The medal is awarded by the President of the United States in the name of Congress to US military personnel only. There are three versions of the medal, one for the Army, one for the Navy, and one for the Air Force. Personnel of the Marine Corps and Coast Guardreceive the Navy version.

Charleston, S.C. – University of Florida wide receiver Solomon Patton accounted for 98 all-purpose yards and set up all three American team touchdowns, and D.J. Adams of Portland State scored twice in a 20-3 victory in the inaugural Medal of Honor Bowl game Saturday at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

Patton caught three passes for 50 yards, had a rush for 33 and returned a kickoff for 15 more to earn American MVP honors. Deron Furr (Fort Valley State) was the National MVP with six tackles, including a shared sack, and two pass breakups.

The American team got on the board on its first drive when Patton took a reverse 33 yards and Danny O’Brien (Catawba) connected with Jeremy Butler (Tennessee-Martin) for 16 yards to the National one. O’Brien snuck in from there to put his team ahead 6-0.

O’Brien completed 5-of-11 passes for 87 yards while Joe Clancy (Merrimack) hit on 4-of-10 attempts for 88 to lead the American passing attack. Butler had two catches for 77 yards, including a game-long 61-yard grab in the fourth quarter.

The National team got on the board for the only time all day at the outset of the second quarter when Corey Robinson (Troy) completed passes of 16 yards to Troy teammate Eric Thomas and 12 yards to James Baker (Idaho) to set up a 40-yard field goal by Ohio State’s Drew Basil to make it 6-3.

Robinson finished the day with seven completions in 10 attempts for 65 yards while Casey Pachall (TCU) completed 8-of-15 for 54 yards.

The National team fumbled a punt at midfield and Marcus Whitfield (Maryland) recovered. The Americans took advantage, using a 26-yard pass from Clancy to Patton to set up a 19-yard touchdown run by Adams to make it 13-3 with 8:09 left in the second quarter.

Whitfield finished the day with two sacks in addition to his fumble recovery to lead the American defense. Malcolm Butler (West Alabama), playing for the National squad, had the game’s lone interception.

Adams scored again just over a minute into the fourth quarter when his one-yard plunge put the game out of reach. A 16-yard run by Colin Lockett (San Diego State) and a 15-yard pass from Clancy to Patton highlighted the 51-yard drive.

Game Stats
Game Photos