Allen to Participate in 86th East-West Shrine Game

Senior Pierre Allen has accepted an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Game. The 86th game will be held in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 22, 2011 at 3 p.m. CST with television coverage provided by the NFL Network.

Allen was a 2010 first-team All-Big 12 selection by the league coaches after he totaled 57 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3 ½ sacks and a conference-leading 13 quarterback hurries. The 6-5 defensive end from Denver, Colo., will make his 39th career start against Washington in the Holiday Bowl.

"The East-West Shrine Game has always fielded players among college football's best," said East-West Shrine Game Executive Director Harold Richardson. "With all 32 NFL teams represented by GMs, coaches and scouts during game week, our players have the terrific opportunity to showcase their talents and get their first glimpse of life in the NFL ... 'Just Like on Sunday.'"

Allen has helped Nebraska rank among the nation's top defenses this fall. NU enters the Holiday Bowl ranked 10th nationally in total defense, eighth in scoring defense and fifth in both pass efficiency defense and passing yards allowed. Allen has 35 career tackles for loss, just three outside of the Nebraska career top 10, and his 166 career tackles put him in the top 50 on the Nebraska career list.

Allen joins an elite list of football greats, such as John Elway, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, and 62 NFL Hall of Famers, who have played in the East-West Shrine Game, America's longest-running college all-star football game.

For more information about the East-West Shrine Game, please visit www.shrinegame.com.