Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

Thursday, January 4, 2001

K-State’s Beasley
to start in Hula Bowl

Purdue's Brees is the
other starting QB for the
all-star game on Maui

---

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Somewhere outside of Phoenix, Kansas State quarterback Jonathan Beasley decided he would play in the 55th annual Hula Bowl.

He spoke with Lenny Klompus by telephone yesterday, prompting the Hula Bowl executive director to announce Beasley and Purdue University's Drew Brees would be the starting quarterbacks in the Jan. 20 all-star game to be played at Maui's War Memorial Stadium for a fourth consecutive season.

"I told him this was a chance to step out of Michael Bishop's shadow," Klompus said. "He told me he had been doing that ever since playing there.

"Obviously, we're very excited about landing a quarterback of his abilities. We were all set to announce (University of Washington quarterback) Marques Tuiasosopo was coming, but he injured his shoulder in the Rose Bowl and told us he couldn't play."

Beasley is more than a suitable replacement. He was named the MVP of the Cotton Bowl by completing 13 of 27 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns in leading Kansas State to a 35-21 victory over Tennessee. He also rushed for 98 yards and a score.

The top quarterbacks in the rival Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., are a rematch of the national championship game. Josh Heupel of Oklahoma and Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke of Florida State recently committed to play, although their overall health is in question.

"We were told that Heupel's elbow is hurting and that Chris will practice the week of the game, but won't play," Klompus said. "He's the first Heisman Trophy winner to be at the Senior Bowl since Bo Jackson in 1986."

Brees called from Texas yesterday to confirm he would play in the Hula Bowl. Purdue head coach Joe Tiller will serve as an assistant as well. Both are coming off a loss at the Rose Bowl to Washington.

Klompus said there may be some more additions and subtractions over the next week or so, but at this point, the roster was set.