News/Commentary

American beats National on Walk-off TD pass from Henigan (Memphis) to Bech (TCU)

February 1, 2025 by CollegeFootballPoll.com Staff

TCU receiver Jack Bech caught a 2-yard TD pass from Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan as the clock ran out to give the American side a 22-19 win over the National in the Reese's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile on the campus of the University of South Alabama.

It was the end of a big day for Bech who had 6 catches for 68 yards while he and the team wore Princeton decals that honored his brother, Tiger, who was killed in the terrorist attack in the wee hours of the morning on New Year's Day when a pickup truck deliberately struck multiple pedestrians on Bourbon Street. Tiger was a 2021 graduate of Princeton, and was a wide receiver and punt returner on the Princeton team.

SEE: Definition of a lively extrovert’: Friends and family remember Tiger Bech ’21

This was the 76th edition of the Senior Bowl which is widely considered to be the first stage in the NFL Draft process and produced 110 draft picks in 2024.

Some of the 2025 NFL Draft prospects at the week-long exercise this year were Alabama QB Jalen Milroe, Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, Miami wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten, Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, and Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin.

Cam Ward of Miami has the best odds of becoming the Number 1 over-all pick when the draft begins in Green Bay on Thursday, April 24.

The game was tied at 8 apiece at the half, but the National side had opened a 19-8 lead on a 39-yard field goal off the foot of FSU's Ryan Fitzgerald, followed by a short a short rub TD pass to Da'Quon Felton (Virginia Tech) with 12:40 to go in the game.

The American rally began with a 30-yard double pass touchdown from Henigan to UCF running back RJ Harvey to Maryland's Tai Felton

It was the second double pass TD of the game - one to each team - as the National had opened the scoring with the same kind of trickery.

Say what you will about all-star games that are usually missing the game's top stars, but this one was extremely entertaining.