TicketsJan. 6, 2009
CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati senior defensive back Brandon Underwood (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton/Ohio State) accepted an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game Tuesday.
The 84th edition of the Shrine Game will kick off at 4 p.m. on January 17, 2009 at Roberston Stadium in Houston, Texas. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
Underwood played only a single season for the Bearcats, earning first-team all-BIG EAST accolades at safety. He started 14 games, playing both cornerback and safety, tallying 66 tackles, fifth-best on the squad. He had a team-high three fumbles recovered, along with four interceptions. He also forced two fumbles and had six pass break ups. He was named UC's Special Teams Player of the Year at the team's awards banquet in December.
Underwood is the sixth UC player to accept a postseason game invitation, the most in school history. UC's previous best was in 1960 when it sent three players to the Senior Bowl and two to the College All-Star Game.
Defensive end Connor Barwin (Hazel Park, Mich./U. of Detroit Jesuit), offensive lineman Trevor Canfield (Cincinnati, Ohio/Western Hills), punter Kevin Huber (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas), defensive back Mike Mickens (Hubert Hts., Ohio/Wayne), and defensive back DeAngelo Smith (Columbus, Ohio/Independence) are scheduled to play in the 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl.
Eighteen former UC players have played in the East-West Shrine Game, most recently tight end Brent Celek in 2007.
The East-West Shrine Game is the oldest collegiate all-star game in the country. The game is played to raise money and awareness for the 22 Shriner Hospitals, which provide orthopedic and burn care at no cost to children across the country. To date, the game has raised over $14 million and has treated over 750,000 children.