WACO, TEX. — Whitworth defensive back Jay Tully has been selected to play for the American Football Coaches Association’s Division III all-star team that will represent the United States against the Mexican National Team in the 2007 Aztec Bowl on December 8 in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Jay Tully

Tully, a senior from Spokane, Wash., earned Northwest Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and was a First Team All-NWC selection for the second consecutive season. He also was recently named a CoSIDA ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honoree for the second year in a row.

Tully led the Pirates in tackles this season with 71 total stops. He intercepted four passes and broke up three others. In addition, he forced one fumble and recovered another, playing a big role for a Pirate defense that led NCAA Division III in turnover margin this fall.

Tully's versatility makes him a valuable member of the Aztec Bowl squad. In addition to his success as a defensive player, Tully led the Pirates in kickoff returns this season and caught 10 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown as a wide receiver.

Tully is one of 50 NCAA Division III seniors from around the country who will make up this year’s team. Former Widener, Delaware Valley and LaSalle Head Coach Bill Manlove will coach this year’s team.

Event Information: This year’s game is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. CST on December 8 at Estadio Olimpico Universitario in Chihuahua.

The Aztec Bowl is the traditional season-ending game for Mexico’s college football season. The game has been played 36 times since 1947 with the last 10 contests featuring the United States-Mexico match-up. The United States is 9-1 in the series and defeated Mexico, 28-7, in the 2006 game in Aguascalientes.

Aztec Bowl Webcast: Chitwood Sports Media of Jefferson, Texas will again provide a live webcast of the Aztec Bowl in 2007. Along with the game webcast on December 8, announcers Charlie Chitwood and Ned Fratangelo will provide 90-minute preview shows on December 5, 6, and 7. The preview shows will originate from the Team USA hotel and will begin each night at 6:30 p.m. CST.

The preview shows and game webcast can all be accessed via the AFCA’s website at www.afca.com and via the Aztec Bowl website at www.aztecbowl.com. Postgame results will also be available at www.afca.com.

The AFCA was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 10,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to “maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession” and to “provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football.

For more information on the AFCA and its programs, log on to the AFCA’s website at www.afca.com.

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