University of Massachusets Athletics
Young Shines In 94th Annual East-West Shrine Game
January 20, 2019 | Football
Former UMass football standout leads East Team with 54 rushing yards
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - University of Massachusetts football alumnus Marquis Young competed in the 94th annual East-West Shrine Game for the East Team, which scored 17 unanswered points before its comeback ran out of time in a 21-17 loss at Tropicana Field on Sat., Jan. 19. Young rushed for a team-leading 54 yards on 10 carries, took one kickoff back for 19 yards and caught his only target for a three yard gain.
In addition to the game and the practices leading into it, the annual Shrine Game week includes a visit to the Tampa-based Shriner Hospital for Children, during which players spend time with the young patients.
"We've all played the game of football for years and still no one manages to prepare for the outcome," Young said following completion of the week-long experience. "One of the things I was not prepared for was to see the looks on the kids' faces at the hospital. The impact they left on me and how strong they are in their battles. Meeting with the scouts and the coaches was a wonderful experience, but interacting with the kids at the hospital was the most unique experience I have ever had in my career. I'm just thankful the game of football gave me this opportunity."
Young's 76 all-purpose yards on only 12 touches (6.3 per attempt) ranked as the second-most on the team behind only East-West Shrine Game Offensive MVP Terry Godwin II, who had 81 and scored both of the team's touchdowns. Young also posted the longest run of the game for the East Team, a 22-yarder in the third quarter, which also ranked as the second-longest rush by either side and tied for the fourth-longest play of any variety.
The Fairport, New York, native was a three-year starter and four-year contributor to the Massachusetts offense from 2015-18 and finished his tenure with the Minutemen with 3,631 rushing yards on 685 carries, including 29 for touchdowns. The all-around performer added 900 kick return yards over 40 attempts (22.5 per return) and totaled 671 receiving yards on 98 catches (6.8 per reception).
Young etched his name into the UMass football record book with his sustained success on the field. He ranks fifth all-time for rushing yards and carries, tied for sixth in rushing touchdown and seventh for rushing yards per carry (5.3). Young is the program's all-time FBS-only leader in all four categories, while his average yards gained per rush are the most by a ball carriers with as many or more carries.
Follow Massachusetts football on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball). Keep up-to-date with all 21 varsity programs at the University of Massachusetts through UMassAthletics.com.
In addition to the game and the practices leading into it, the annual Shrine Game week includes a visit to the Tampa-based Shriner Hospital for Children, during which players spend time with the young patients.
"We've all played the game of football for years and still no one manages to prepare for the outcome," Young said following completion of the week-long experience. "One of the things I was not prepared for was to see the looks on the kids' faces at the hospital. The impact they left on me and how strong they are in their battles. Meeting with the scouts and the coaches was a wonderful experience, but interacting with the kids at the hospital was the most unique experience I have ever had in my career. I'm just thankful the game of football gave me this opportunity."
Young's 76 all-purpose yards on only 12 touches (6.3 per attempt) ranked as the second-most on the team behind only East-West Shrine Game Offensive MVP Terry Godwin II, who had 81 and scored both of the team's touchdowns. Young also posted the longest run of the game for the East Team, a 22-yarder in the third quarter, which also ranked as the second-longest rush by either side and tied for the fourth-longest play of any variety.
The Fairport, New York, native was a three-year starter and four-year contributor to the Massachusetts offense from 2015-18 and finished his tenure with the Minutemen with 3,631 rushing yards on 685 carries, including 29 for touchdowns. The all-around performer added 900 kick return yards over 40 attempts (22.5 per return) and totaled 671 receiving yards on 98 catches (6.8 per reception).
Young etched his name into the UMass football record book with his sustained success on the field. He ranks fifth all-time for rushing yards and carries, tied for sixth in rushing touchdown and seventh for rushing yards per carry (5.3). Young is the program's all-time FBS-only leader in all four categories, while his average yards gained per rush are the most by a ball carriers with as many or more carries.
Follow Massachusetts football on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball). Keep up-to-date with all 21 varsity programs at the University of Massachusetts through UMassAthletics.com.
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