Dec. 13, 2007

University of South Carolina running back Cory Boyd has been selected to play in the 83rd annual East-West Shrine Game, it was announced today. The game will be played Saturday, January 19 at John O’Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium on the University of Houston campus.

Boyd, a 6-1, 217-pounder from Orange, N.J., was the Gamecocks’ top rusher in 2007 with 180 carries for 903 yards, an average of 5.0 yards per carry. He ranked 10th in the SEC and 69th in the country averaging 75.2 rushing yards per game and was 10th in the league in all-purpose yardage, averaging 109.0 yards per game. He led the team with nine rushing touchdowns. He was just the second player in school history to log 2,000 yards rushing (2,267, 10th on the all-time list and haul in 100+ receptions (117, 8th on the all-time list) during his career, joining Brandon Bennett. He also went over the 1,000-yard plateau in both rushing (2,267) and receiving (1,303) in his career, joining Stanley Pritchett as the only players in school history to accomplish that feat.

Dick Vermeil will coach the East squad, while Mike White will coach the West squad.

The East-West Shrine Game is regarded as the premier college all-star game with a long history of distinguished players and coaches. Every year since 1925, the Shrine Game has been played to raise money and to help make the public aware of the expert orthopedic and burn care available, at no cost, at all 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children. To date, the game has raised more than $14 million for Shriners Hospitals and has helped inform millions of people about the mission of this extraordinary philanthropy.

More information on the East-West Shrine Game can be found on the internet at www.uhcougars.com.