Woods, Bennett Named to 2007 Aztec Bowl Team

Woods finished 2007 with 15 tackles, three interceptions, five pass break-ups and one blocked kick.

Andrew Woods Photo courtesy: Linfield Athletics

CHIHUAHUA, Mexico - Linfield defensive back Andrew Woods (Sr., Portland, Ore.) will put the pads on one more time Saturday as a member of the American Football Coaches Association's Division III all-star team that will play the Mexican National Team in the 2007 Aztec Bowl.

One of 50 NCAA Division III seniors from around the country who will make up this year’s team, Woods and his new teammates arrived Sunday in preparation for Monday’s first practice. Former Widener, Delaware Valley and La Salle head coach Bill Manlove is coaching this year’s team.

A senior from Portland, Ore., Woods was a first team all-Northwest Conference selection this season. He finished 2007 with 15 tackles, three interceptions, five pass break-ups and one blocked kick.

He adds his name to a growing list of Linfield players selected to compete in the postseason all-star game, including linemen Robbie McCullough and Daryl Agpalsa, quarterback Tyler Matthews, and receiver Casey Allen.

This year’s game is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. PST on Dec. 8 at Estadio Olimpico Universitario in Chihuahua.

The Aztec Bowl is the traditional season-ending game for Mexico’s college football season. The game has been played 36 times since 1947 with the last 10 contests featuring the United States-Mexico match-up. The United States is 9-1 in the series and defeated Mexico, 28-7, in the 2006 game in Aguascalientes.

Willamette senior offensive tackle Brandon Bennett (San Marcos, CA/La Costa Canyon HS) was selected Nov. 14 to play in the game. Bennett was named First Team All-Northwest Conference three consecutive seasons, after earning Honorable Mention All-NWC recognition as a freshman. He was selected for the AFCA All-America Team as a junior in 2006.

Webcast available at www.afca.com or www.aztecbowl.com

Source: Linfield Athletics

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