Dec. 3, 2008

DALLAS (SMU) - SMU punter/kicker Thomas Morstead has accepted an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game held Jan. 17 at Houston's Robertson Stadium.

Morstead, a senior from Pearland, Texas, served as SMU's punter and kicker for three seasons and was a two-time All-Conference USA selection. He finished his SMU career with the third-best average (43.4 ypp) in school history. Of 59 punts in 2008, he downed 20 inside the 20 with only three touchbacks.

Morstead becomes the first Mustang to play in the East-West Shrine Game since 1999, when Rodnick Phillips suited up for the game.

The East-West Shrine Game, which began in 1925, is one of the premier showcases for college seniors. Gene Stallings will coach the West team and Bobby Ross will lead the East team.

Below is the acceptance list as of today for the 84th-annual East-West Shrine game:

WEST TEAM
Ramses Barden, Altadena, CA, WR, Cal Poly State University
Michael Bennett, Houston, TX, DE, Texas A&M University
Rhett Bomar, Dallas, TX, QB, Sam Houston State University
Tom Brandstater, Turlock, CA, QB, Fresno State University
Travis Bright, Queen Creek, AZ, G, Brigham Young University
Jarett Dillard, San Antonio, TX, WR, Rice University
Pannel Egboh, Mesquite, TX, DE, Stanford University
Ray Feinga, West Valley City, UT, G, Brigham Young University
Anthony Felder, Seattle, WA, LB, University of California
Joshua Mauga, Fasson, NV, MLB, University of Nevada
Darcel McBath, Gainesville, TX, S, Texas Tech
Marko Mitchell, York, AL, WR, University of Nevada
Thomas Morstead, Pearland, TX, P, Southern Methodist University
Bear Pascoe, Porterville, CA, TE, Fresno State University
Jason Phillips, Waller, TX, ILB, Texas Christian University
Worrell Williams, Sacramento, CA, LB, University of California


EAST TEAM
Cody Brown, Coral Springs, FL, OLB/DE, University of Connecticut
Nathan Brown, Russellville, AR, QB, University of Central Arkansas
Darius Butler, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, CB, University of Connecticut
Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati, OH, G, University of Cincinnati
Brooks Foster, Boiling Springs, SC, WR, University of North Carolina
Eric Kettani, Kirkland, OH, FB, United States Naval Academy
Jonathan Luigs, Little Rock, AR, C, University of Arkansas
Tyrone Mckenzie, Riverview, FL, OLB, University of South Florida
Kraig Urbik, Hudson, WI, G, University of Wisconsin
Otis Wiley, Flint, MI, SS, Michigan State University