The Wandering Disciple

Navy Midshipman Malcom Perry takes it 52 yards to the end zone for a fourth quarter touchdown in the 2020 East-West Shrine Bowl held at Tropicana Field. The annual college football all-star game featured a 31-27 win for the east coast squad. This annual event in its 95th season not only showcases some of the top college football candidates for the NFL draft, it benefits the Shriner's Hospital for Children. (Photo: January 18, 2020)

St Petersburg, Florida: Since 1925 some of the brightest stars in college football converge for a post-season all-star game benefiting a great cause. The East-West Shrine Bowl features some of the biggest names in the game playing to support the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. This year’s game featured a shoot-out which saw the East beat the West 31-27 in front of 12,894 spectators at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg. The first score of the afternoon came when Florida International’s quarterback James Morgan hit Louisiana’s wide receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley for a nine-yard touchdown strike. The East added another touchdown in the first quarter on a 10-yard touchdown run by Charlotte’s Benny LeMay to make it 14-0. The West then cut the lead in half on a 7-yard touchdown reception by San Diego State’s Parker Houston on make it 14-7 to end the first quarter. The second quarter was quiet on the touchdown front, but both squads exchanged a pair of field goals in the half. The fir...

Gainesville, Florida: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field, better known as The Swamp, is the home of the University of Florida football team. Over 88,000 Gators fans flock to the stadium on game day, making it the eleventh largest stadium in college football. The Swamp has been the permanent home of the Gators for over eighty years. Designed by architect Rudolph Weaver, the stadium officially opened in 1930. The stadium has seen many renovations over the years to accommodate the growth of the organization, eventually expanding to the current seating of 88,548 permanent seats. The Gators are the sole occupants of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. In addition to the Gators, they hosted the Tangerine Bowl in 1973 and the Gator Bowl in 1994. On non-game day, the stadium is opened to the public for exercise or sight seeing. Tickets for Florida Gators games can be purchased through the university. The range in price depending on game and seat location.