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Issued: December 17, 2005

BLUGOLDS' TIERI LEADS TEAM USA IN TACKLES IN AZTEC BOWL WIN

TOLUCA, MEX. - Ohio Northern defensive back Wes Hostetler scored three touchdowns and the United States defense and special teams rolled up 375 yards in interception, kickoff and punt returns as Team USA rolled to a record-setting 53-15 win over Mexico in the 2005 Aztec Bowl.

Hostetler alone accounted for 223 return yards as he scored on an 86-yard kickoff return in the first quarter, a 75-yard interception return in the third quarter and a 54-yard punt return in the third quarter to earn Team USA MVP honors.

With his performance on Saturday Hostetler tied the Team USA record for points scored (18) and set Team USA records for all-purpose yards (223), touchdowns scored, longest interception return and longest kickoff return.

"It could have been anyone else out there," Hostetler said. "The blocking was phenomenal. I just had to wait for a block and read my keys. I wish I could play with these guys all year long."

The United States defense and special teams accounted for 36 of Team USA's 53 points. In addition to Hostetler, Curry's Charlie Gibbs and North Central's Lenny Radtke scored on interception returns and Occidental's Mike Bryant blocked a punt for a safety in the first quarter. The 53 points are the most scored by Team USA in the nine-year series.

"Our kids just played superbly and our defense was outstanding," USA Head Coach Ron Schipper said after the game. "Obviously Hostetler is truly outstanding and just made great plays and we kept the crowd out of it."

Gibbs opened the scoring with his return of an errant Juan Zamora pass to put the USA up 7-0. Mexico answered that score with a five-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a seven-yard touchdown run by Rene Molina. With five minutes to go in the first quarter Bryant broke free and blocked a Daniel Chavez punt attempt out of the end zone to up the score to 9-7. On the ensuing free kick, Hostetler scampered 86 yards down the USA sideline to give the Americans a 16-7 lead with 4:42 to go in the quarter.

Midway through the second quarter the U.S. upped its lead to 19-7 when Wheaton's Andrew Day converted on a 37-yard field goal. The score was set up by a 26-yard interception return by St. Thomas linebacker Andrew Ubbelohde, the lone USA interception that was not returned for a touchdown.

The United States offense did not reach the end zone until 24 seconds remained in the first half when Delaware Valley's Adam Knoblauch hit St. Norbert running back Casey Meehan with a 22-yard touchdown pass to put Team USA up 26-7 at halftime.

The United State offense was thwarted once again at the start of the second quarter when a pass from Wabash's Russ Harbaugh was intercepted at the Mexico two-yard line by Ricardo Tavera. Mexico's offense moved the ball out to midfield before Hostetler stepped in front of a Gilberto Escobedo pass at the 25-yard line and sprinted 75 yards for the score.

The Team USA defense held on Mexico's next possession and Hostetler returned the fourth down punt 54 yards into the end zone and the United States was out in front 40-7 midway through the third quarter.

Mexico found the end zone for the final time on the day 28 seconds into the fourth quarter when Escobedo hit Juan Corona with a 12-yard touchdown pass and then completed a two-point conversion pass to running back Rene Molina to cut the USA lead to 40-15.

The predominantly pro-Mexican crowd of 13,000 roared with approval and the score seemed to give Mexico new life. But the United States offense answered the Mexico score with a touchdown of its own as Bridgewater State's (Mass.) Brenden Kavey raced 69 yards for a touchdown to increase the Team USA lead to 47-15 with 13:19 remaining in what was a rapidly moving fourth quarter.

Mexico moved to the USA 16-yard line on its next possession before the USA defense stiffened and stopped the home team on fourth down with 9:29 to go. The teams traded punts the rest of the quarter before North Central's Lenny Radtke ended the game with a 28-yard interception return for a touchdown as time ran out to make the final margin 53-15.

Hostetler's amazing individual performance complimented what was another strong defensive showing by the Americans in this series. The United States defense held Mexico to only 16 yards rushing on 19 carries and forced six Mexico turnovers, four of which led to 23 Team USA points.

Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Brent Tieri led Team USA with eight tackles while Radtke topped the squad with a team record-tying four tackles for loss and two sacks. Wisconsin-Stout's Joe Seep and Frostburg State's Kevin Culbert each forced a fumble to account for the other two Mexico turnovers.

Offensively, Team USA was held to 197 yards in total offense. Kavey was the leading rusher with 87 yards on seven carries, Bridgewater's (Va.) Marcus Washington carried nine times for 46 yards. Moravian's Kevin Lukich caught one pass for 34 yards while Washington had two catches for 29 yards. Knoblauch was the leading passer on the day, completing three of 10 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Gilberto Escobedo earned MVP honors for Mexico as he completed 17 of 21 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. Daniel Roldan was Mexico's leading rusher with 14 yards on two carries. Roldan was also Mexico's leading receiver with eight catches for 65 yards. Defensively, Jorge Valdez led the way with six tackles including 2.5 for a loss, both of which were sacks, and a forced fumble.

Quotes From Aztec Bowl

Ron Schipper, USA Head Coach: Our kids just played superbly and the defense was outstanding. What made the difference was the kicking game. Obviously (Wes) Hostetler is truly outstanding and made great plays. We kept the crowd out of it.

(Wes Hostetler) made as much of a difference as one player could. He was fabulous. He's a remarkable athlete. I can't say enough about him.

This is a very special group from my perspective. The camraderie and the way they came together, I just felt very good about it last night and this morning. They wanted it to be a winning football team. It was a special group of kids from that perspective. They really came together.

Wes Hostetler, DB/KR, Ohio Northern University, Team USA MVP: I just had the ball in my hands. It could have been anybody. I just had to wait for my blocks and read my keys. It was amazing. This team of athletes is phenomenal. I wish I could play with these guys all year long.

Pressure on the quarterback was huge. We didn't know how physical this team would be. So we knew we had to step up our game when they scored that first touchdown.

On being named MVP: It's such an honor. I was just lucky to have the ball in my hands. Anyone else could have done the exact same thing. This team is an amazing team.

Brenden Kavey, RB, Bridgewater State (Mass.): (On his touchdown run): I just saw the cutback going to left and saw the pile coming. On the spin I expected to get hit but as soon as I turned around nobody was there and I just took off. They were flying to the ball and shifiting to the strong side, so the cutback was there all day. It was unbelieveable. I've never played in front of a crowd this big. Playing with a great bunch of athletes like we had was an awesome feeling.

Charlie Gibbs, DB, Curry: (On his interception): I just saw the ball and a lot of green. I broke on the route. I figured he would run an out because it was third-and-five and they would try to get the first down. It felt good to get into the end zone.

Kevin Lukach, FB, Moravian: It was an awesome feeling to represent Team USA and put 53 points up on the board. To be the leading receiver in an all-star game as a fullback it is unbelievable. I can't wait to get back home and tell everybody.

Brent Tieri, DB, Wis.-Eau Claire: Everybody was doing their assignments, we were assignment sharp. It felt great today. The crowd was amazine. I've never played in an atmosphere like this. It was unbelieveable playing with elite guys like that.

Lenny Radtke, LB, North Central: (On running an interception back for a touchdown on the final play of the game): That was awesome. That may be my last football play ever and it couldn't end any better. This was a great opportunity to play with so many outstanding athletes. It was amazing watching what they could do out there. Getting to know people was the best part about it.

2005 Aztec Bowl Statistics

- Courtesy Todd Bell, AFCA -

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