Syracuse Orange senior running back Delone Carter ran for a game-best 51 yards on 11 carries and scored the game’s first touchdown to help the East beat the West, 25-8, in the 86th Annual East-West Shrine Game in Orlando, Fla.
Just 22 seconds into the game, Carter scored from 16 yards to help the East take an early 7-0 advantage. Carter’s TD was setup by West senior running back Alex Green's (Hawaii Warriors) fumble on the game's first play, which was recovered by East’s defensive back Josh Thomas (Buffalo Bulls). Carter scored on the very next play.
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Carter, who earned MVP honors in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, carried the ball 10 more times for an average of 4.1 yards per carry. Carter also added one reception for three yards. On the East’s second TD drive, which gave the East a 16-0 advantage, Carter carried the ball twice for 12 yards.
The East dominated the game, totaling 301 yards to the West’s 126. The East also forced four turnovers and held the West to 1-for-11 on third-down conversions.
All in all, it was a great showing for Carter, who was snubbed from the Senior Bowl. This should help his draft status -- which currently has him as a third or fourth rounder -- a bit. Though it wasn’t against the elite talent of college football, Carter stood out among the rest of the game’s running backs, which is always a good thing.