Defense Dominates in Freedom Bowl

Defensive all-stars stole the show from offensive standouts such as receiver Jerry Rice of Mississippi Valley State in the Freedom Bowl football game Saturday.

The game, pitting the Southwestern Athletic Conference against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, was won by the SWAC, 14-0, on touchdowns set up by a sack and by a fumble recovery by linebacker Ladell Wills of Jackson State.

The touchdowns came on a 34-yard pass from Kevin Parker of Fort Valley State to Calvin Magee of Southern University and on a two-yard run by Carl Blue of Jackson State.

Southwestern’s Leon Thomasson of Texas Southern had two interceptions, including one of a Brian Sloan pass in the end zone, thwarting a Mid-Eastern drive that had reached the Southwestern 14 in the second quarter.