Gray Wins Blue-Gray Classic

This was a long, disappointing season for Auburn and LSU, and players from both teams set out to redeem themselves at the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic.

"Both us and LSU had chances to win the SEC West and it didn't go our way," Auburn cornerback Jayson Bray said. "But it showed a lot of character for the players from both teams who came out here and made the most of it."

Bray had two interceptions and a fumble recovery, LSU linebacker Joe Wesley returned an interception for a touchdown and Auburn receiver Karsten Bailey had the winning score in the Gray's 31-24 win over the Blue on Friday.

"I'm glad it was the SEC guys who made the key plays because it goes to show even the worst of the league is pretty good," Bray said.

Bailey and Bray gave the game a homespun flavor by sealing the outcome for the Gray.

Bailey, who ended the year as Auburn's career reception leader in the Tigers' (3-8) worst season since 1952, caught a 65-yard touchdown catch from Wake Forest's Brian Kuklick with 5:11 to play to put the Gray up 31-24.

The momentum had swung to the Gray's side one possession earlier following a goal-line stand.

Delaware's Eddie Conti returned a kickoff 71 yards to the Gray 19-yard line, and the Blue moved the ball to the 1 on two runs by Temple's Stacey Mack.

But Mack, who already had three touchdowns on the day, was stopped short of the end zone three times. On fourth-and-goal from the 1, Blue quarterback Kevin Daft of California-Davis fumbled and Bray recovered. The Gray then took the lead on Bailey's score.

The Gray squad's Karsten Bailey of Aubun had a breakout game against John McLaughlin and the rest of the Blue squad. (AP)

"It reminded me of the Central Florida game," said Bailey, who had a 58-yard TD reception with 57 seconds left in that game to give Auburn its third and final win of the season. "Both felt great and I didn't have a lot to feel good about this season."

Wesley got the Gray back in the game. A linebacker for LSU's (4-7) maligned defense, Wesley returned an interception 82 yards to make it 24-24 with 12:31 to play. His interception broke the 60-year-old Blue-Gray record for longest interception for a score, which was 62 yards by Mississippi's Bill Schneller.

"Give all the credit to Jayson Bray," Wesley said. "He's the one who kept stepping it up and making big plays."

The Blue had one last chance to win, driving to the Gray 24 before Bray intercepted Daft's pass in the end zone.

"It feels great to do some things that might help my future," Bray said. "We didn't have a winning season, but I always played my hardest and coming here helped prove that."

Still, it was bittersweet finish to 1998 for the three, who all expected to be elsewhere on Christmas Day. LSU was a preseason contender for the national championship and Auburn was the defending SEC West Division champ.

Bailey was honored as the Gray's most valuable player and Wesley was chosen as the outstanding defensive player.

Michael Basnight of North Carolina A&T ran for 74 yards on 19 carries to earn the Gray's outstanding offensive player award.

Mack, unnoticed this week in the shadows of Division II star Brian Shay of Emporia State, led the Blue with 70 yards and three touchdowns. He was chosen its most valuable player.

Shay, college football's career rushing leader, wanted to show NFL scouts he could play against bigger competition. He ran for 62 yards on 10 carries.

"I think I did so-so and it might have been because it was a new offense and I had never had a fullback or a tight end before," he said. "I think I was a decoy out there most of the day."

Daft, who was 7 of 18 for 94 yards and two interceptions, was the Blue's outstanding offensive player. Parc Williams of Minnesota was the outstanding defensive player.

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