Asad Abdul-Khaliq to play in All-American Classic

Minnesota Gophers quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq will play for the East team in the Las Vegas All-American Classic at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Minnesota's career leader in total offense (7,818 yards), touchdowns (55) and TD-to-interception ratio (2.12) is hoping to impress the NFL scouts and help his odds of making a team roster next fall.

Asad Abdul-Khaliq finished his career as the school's No. 2 all-time passer with 6,660 yards and led the Gophers to three bowl games in four seasons as the starter, including wins over Arkansas in the Music City Bowl in 2002 and Oregon in the Sun Bowl in 2003.

 

However, NFL scouts worry about his inconsistency and some think that he might have to find a different position, if he is to play in the NFL.

 

Abdul-Khaliq completed 158 of 249 passes (63.5%) for 2,401 yards. He threw for 17 touchdowns and had only five interceptions. His quarterback rating was fourth in the country.

 

Abdul-Khaliq will see several familiar faces in the game, including quarterback Jason Fife of Oregon, who completed his only attempt in the Sun Bowl versus the Gophers.

 

Eight fellow Big Ten players will also play for the East team in the Las Vegas All-American Classic. They are quarterback Scott McMullen of Ohio State, running back Joey Harris from Purdue, wide receiver Tony Johnson of Penn State, tight end Sean McHugh from Penn State, center David Costlow of Penn State, right guard Courtney Morgan from Michigan, outside linebacker Grant Steen of Iowa and strong safety Ryan Aiello from Wisconsin.  

 

The Las Vegas All-American Classic will be televised live nationwide on CSTV: College Sports Television (www.cstv.com), the first 24-hour college sports television network). CSTV is available to approximately 15 million homes nationally on cable and satellite. The network is available on Adelphia and Insight cable systems, among others, and is also available on DirecTV (channel 610).