East scores 25-0 knockout of West in first E-W Shrine Bowl shutout sInce 1969

January 31, 2025 by CollegeFootballPoll.com Staff

Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt of Arizona ran for 97 yards, including touchdowns of 6 yards and 1 yard in the second quarter, and the East won the 100th edition of the East-West Shrine Bowl, 25-0. It's the first shutout by either team in this game since 1969. West squads had won 7 of the last 8.

All but 3 points were scored in a 9-minute section of the 2nd quarter.

Croskey-Merritt's performance earned him offensive MVP honors, while DB O'Donnell Fortune of South Carolina nabbed defensive hours. His 65-yard interception return of a Max Brosner (Minnesota) pass ballooned the East lead to 22-0 with 4:56 to go in the first half.

There are no clear geographical boundaries between the two squads, as demonstrated when Missouri edge rusher Johnny Walker, Jr. forced a fumble on a sack of Missouri quarterback Brady Cooke.

Details of the game can be found here - 2025 NFL Draft: Five prospects who stood out in East-West Shrine Bowl

Also find updates from last night's NFL Pro Bowl Games skills competition here - 2025 Pro Bowl Games: What We Learned from Thursday's skills competitions