Football

Occidental's Collins Named to Aztec Bowl Squad 

Occidental College quarterback Andy Collins '07 has been named to the American Football Coaches Association Division III all-star team and will represent the United States against Mexico in the 2006 Aztec Bowl December 16 in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Kickoff is scheduled for 5pm Pacific at Estadio Victoria in Aguascalientes.

Collins, a senior from Zillah, Wash., earned Offensive Player of the Year honors for the third consecutive season, becoming the first three-time Offensive POY since the award's inception in 1981-82. Mike Bryant '06, a member of the 2005 Aztec Bowl roster, was the SCIAC's first three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Collins ranked 12th in NCAA Division III total offense (273.1), 14th in passing efficiency (153.7) in 2006 and directed an offense that scored 37.6 points per game, 8th in Division III. He led an impressive 20-point fourth quarter comeback Nov. 11 vs. Whittier and broke a 77-yard touchdown run against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Sept. 30.

Collins is one of only two quarterbacks on this years' squad (Kam Kniss, North Central). Former Widener, Delaware Valley, and LaSalle head coach Bill Manlove will coach this years' team. Collins and Linfield offensive lineman Rob McCullough are the only student-athletes from schools on the West Coast.

The Aztec Bowl is the traditional season-ending game of Mexico's college football season. The game has been played 35 times since 1947 with the last eight contests featuring the United States vs. Mexico match-up. The United States defeated Mexico 53-15 in the 2005 game in Toluca and holds a 7-1 record all-time in the series.

Chitwood Sports Media of Jefferson, Texas will again provide a live webcast of the game. In addition, Chitwood will produce a 90-minute preview show on December 12, 14, and 15. The preview shows will originate from the TEAM USA hotel and will begin each night at 4:30 PST.

The preview shows and game webcast can be accessed via the AFCA's website at www.afca.com and the Aztec Bowl website at www.aztecbowl.com. Postgame results will also be available on the AFCA website.

Two Aztec Bowl alumni, London Fletcher and Clint Kriewaldt, are currently playing in the National Football League.  "I'm proud that we've had a player named to the Aztec Bowl the past two seasons," stated head coach Dale Widolff. "It is a tremendous honor for Andy and a chance for him to compete alongside some of the top talent in NCAA Division III."