The 72nd Reese's Senior Bowl is in the books.
A reduced number of people from NFL teams' personnel departments, including the Vikings, descended on Mobile, Alabama, for the annual all-star showcase that included three days of practice and Saturday's game.
Organizers of the game were able to bring 136 draft-eligible prospects into somewhat of a bubble and modify the week's schedule in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Changes included capping attendance at Hancock Whitney Stadium, which was hosting the game for the first time, well below the normal capacity. It also included an expansion for formal interviews.
View photos of the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl that took place on Jan. 30 in Mobile, Alabama.
American Team running back Larry Rountree III of Missouri (34) runs against National Team offensive lineman Baron Browing of Ohio State (55) during the first half of the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
American Team quarterback Kellen Mond of Texas A&M (12) has his throw tipped by National Team offensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa of UCLA (92) during the first half of the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
American Team wide receiver Trevon Grimes of Florida (8) makes a catch against National Team defensive back Camryn Bynum of California (24) during the first half of the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
American Team linebacker Grant Stuard of Houston (0) celebrates a stop during the first half of the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
National Team running back Demetric Felton of UCLA (10) runs for a touchdown against American Team defensive back DJ Daniel of Georgia (14) during the first half of the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
National Team linebacker Justin Hilliard of Ohio State (6) breaks up a pass intended for American Team tight end Quintin Morris of Bowling Green (81) during the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
American Team defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu of Syracuse (8) breaks up a pass intended for National Team wide receiver Desmond Fitzpatrick of Louisville (13) during the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
National Team running back Michael Carter of North Carolina (7) is tackled by American Team linebacker Jabril Cox of LSU (19) and American Team defensive lineman Chauncey Golston of Iowa (90) during the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
National Team running back Michael Carter of North Carolina (7) is tackled by American Team linebacker Jabril Cox of LSU (19) and American Team defensive lineman Chauncey Golston of Iowa (90) during the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
American Team William Bradley-King of Baylor (99) and linebacker KJ Britt of Auburn (33) celebrate a play during the first half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
American Team wide receiver Josh Palmer of Tennessee (85) has the ball deflected from him by National Team defensive back Benjamin St. Juste of Minnesota (25) during the first half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
American Team wide receiver Amari Rodgers of Clemson (3) catches a touchdown pass with National Team defensive back Thomas Graham Jr. of Oregon (4) defending during the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
American Team wide receiver Amari Rodgers of Clemson (3) catches a touchdown pass with National Team defensive back Thomas Graham Jr. of Oregon (4) defending during the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
National Team wide receiver Desmond Fitzpatrick of Louisville (13) stiff arms American Team wide receiver Trevon Grimes of Florida (8) during the second half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Members of the National Team celebrate a touchdown during the first half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
National Team defensive back Damar Hamlin of Pittsburgh (33) intercepts a pass intended for American Team wide receiver Marquez Stevenson of Houston (5) during the first half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
American Team defensive lineman Cameron Sample of Tulane (5) sacks National Team quarterback Ian Book of Notre Dame (12) with the help of American Team Janarius Robinson of Florida State (96) during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
American Team wide receiver Amari Rodgers of Clemson (3) celebrates a score during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
American Team quarterback Kellen Mond of Texas A&M (12) throws against National Team offensive lineman Spencer Brown of Northern Iowa (FCS) (76) during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
American Team wide receiver Cornell Powell of Clemson (14) tries for a catch while being defended by National Team defensive back Keith Taylor Jr. of Washington (8) during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
National Team quarterback Ian Book of Notre Dame (12) tries to avoid the tackle of American Team Quincy Roche of Miami, (55) during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
American Team wide receiver Josh Palmer of Tennessee (85) celebrates a score with offensive lineman Alaric Jackson of Iowa (78) during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
American Team wide receiver Marquez Stevenson of Houston (5) has his pass broken up by National Team defensive back Keith Taylor Jr. of Washington (8) before it was intercepted by National Team defensive back Damar Hamlin of Pittsburgh (33) during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
American Team wide receiver Shi Smith of South Carolina (13) goes up for a catch against National Team defensive back Tre Norwood of Oklahoma (5) during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
American Team quarterback Jamie Newman of Wake Forest (7) is sacked by National Team defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham of Texas (49) during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
American Team wide receiver Marquez Stevenson of Houston (5) has his pass broken up by National Team defensive back Keith Taylor Jr. of Washington (8) before it was intercepted by National Team defensive back Damar Hamlin of Pittsburgh (33) during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
National Team tight end Kenny Yeboah of Ole Miss (88) makes a touchdown against American Team defensive back Joshuah Bledsoe of Missouri (1) during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
National Team offensive lineman Creed Humphrey of Oklahoma (56) and defensive back Damar Hamlin of Pittsburgh (33) celebrate a play during the second half NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
National Team quarterback Sam Ehlinger of Texas (11), offensive lineman Spencer Brown of Northern Iowa (76), offensive lineman Robert Hainsey of Notre Dame (72), offensive lineman Creed Humphrey of Oklahoma (56), and offensive lineman Aaron Banks of Notre Dame (73), celebrate a touchdown during the first half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
American Team wide receiver Josh Palmer of Tennessee (85) scores a touchdown against National Team defensive back Damar Hamlin of Pittsburgh (33) and defensive back Keith Taylor Jr. of Washington (8) during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
National Team punter James Smith of Cincinnati (38) is nearly blocked by American Team linebacker Grant Stuard of Houston (0) during the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
National Team head coach Brian Flores (Miami Dolphins), center, watches his team play during the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
The Senior Bowl built spaces protected by plexiglass so that teams could conduct 15-minute in-person interviews with each prospect they wanted. That component figures to be valuable, as it is expected to be the only in-person interaction between teams and prospects during an offseason in which the NFL Scouting Combine will be dramatically altered.
The National team, which was coached by the Miami Dolphins staff, prevailed 27-24 over the American squad that was led by Carolina Panthers coaches. Here are five takeaways from Saturday's game, which uses modified rules.
Rules Refresher
Offenses must use balanced formations and are not allowed to use motions or shifts before snaps.
Defenses must play Cover 1, 2 or 3 and are not supposed to use stunts.
The only two kickoffs occur to start each half. The other possessions after scores begin at the 25-yard line.
Every quarter has a 2-minute warning.
Possession changes occur at the end of each quarter.
1. Fun-filled football
It clearly felt good to play football.
Several participants had just played earlier this month during the College Football Playoffs, but others had not taken the field for all of the 2020 college season, either because their school canceled/postponed its season or because the player opted out for COVID-19 concerns.
While some grappled with a bit of rustiness, all appreciated the opportunity to take the field in their college helmets one final time.
Group celebrations after big plays were fun to see, especially by the offensive linemen of the National team that helped Michael Carter reach the end zone after contact occurred 6 yards shy of the goal line.
North Dakota State's Dillon Radunz, who starred at Becker, started at left tackle for the National team and was involved on that play, as well as a congratulatory showering of Miami Dolphins Head Coach Brian Flores with Reese's peanut butter cups.
2. Other Minnesota connections
In addition to Radunz, Minneapolis native Elerson Smith (South Minneapolis High School and Northern Iowa) flashed at defensive end. Smith had a nice pass rush and would have been credited with a quarterback hurry but he was flagged for using his body weight to drive the quarterback into the ground.
Smith bounced back with a hustle tackle from behind to force a fourth-and-1 and tackled Clemson receiver Amari Rodgers for a 4-yard loss on a reverse later during the same possession.
Former Minnesota Gophers defensive back Benjamin St-Juste logged reps at cornerback and led the National team with two pass breakups.
3. QB again an MVP
Texas A&M's Kellen Mond started for the American team and found his groove in the second half. Mond finished 13-of-25 passing with 173 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed once and passed once on a pair of successful 2-point conversions, earing 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl MVP, an honor that Chargers rookie QB Justin Herbert claimed in 2020.
The American team split reps at quarterback between Mond and Jamie Newman, who played at Wake Forest before transferring to Georgia and opting out of the 2020 season.
Newman completed 10 of 14 passes for 118 yards with a touchdown and interception. Alabama's Mac Jones, a popular figure in the state who just led the Crimson Tide to a national championship practiced during the week but did not play.
The National team started Sam Ehlinger out of Texas. He went 4-for-10 for 42 yards and a touchdown. Arkansas' Feleipe Franks followed and went 9-of-16 passing for 122 yards and a score. Notre Dame's Ian Book was 5-of-11 passing for 48 yards with an interception.
4. Runners and receivers
Carter led all running backs with 60 rushing yards. No other player rushed for more than 18 yards on the day.
The National team rushed 27 times for 88 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.
The American team rushed 20 times for 31 yards, a paltry average of 1.6 yards per carry.
Louisville's Dez Fitzpatrick impressed early with a catch along the sideline for the National team and finished with game highs of six receptions and 90 yards.
UCLA's Demetric Felton caught two passes, including a 12-yard touchdown, and Mississippi's Kenny Yeboah was ruled in the end zone on a 21-yard touchdown.
South Carolina's Shi Smith led the American team with 57 yards on three catches, and Bowling Green tight end Quintin Morris added 52 yards on three catches. Rodgers scored the first touchdown pass by Mond, a 15-yarder, and caught the conversion pass.
5. Getting defensive
The National squad totaled four sacks, nine tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and an interception by Pittsburgh's Damar Hamlin.
The American team totaled two sacks, five tackles for loss, six pass breakups and an interception by Florida's Shawn Davis. Florida State's Janarius Robinson led all players with 1.5 sacks.
