Utah State Linebacker Kyler Fackrell Invited To Play In Two Bowls Games

Utah State University senior football linebacker Kyler Fackrell has been invited to play in both the East-West Shrine Game and Reese’s Senior Bowl. Fellow Aggie senior, wide receiver Hunter Sharp, was also invited to participate in the Shrine Game.

The 91st East-West Shrine Game takes place Jan. 23, 2016, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. The game, which is slated to kick off at 2 p.m. (MT), will be televised live on the NFL Network (Comcast Ch. 180, Dish Network Ch. 154, DirectTV Ch. 212).

The Senior Bowl will be played the following week on Jan. 30 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. It is slated to begin at 12:30 p.m. (MT) and televised live on the NFL Network.

Fackrell and Sharp are the 31st and 32nd Aggies, respectively, invited to play in the Shrine Game. This will mark the fourth consecutive year Utah State has been represented in the game (Zach Vigil in 2015, Nevin Lawson in 2014 and Kerwynn Williams in 2013).

Overall, Fackrell is the 19th Utah State player selected to the Senior Bowl since 1962 and the first since offensive center Tyler Larsen played in the 2014 contest.

Fackrell, who has started all 12 games for the Aggies this season, has recovered a nation-leading five fumbles, which is also tied for a single-season record in the Mountain West. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound native of Mesa, Ariz., also ranks seventh in the conference in tackles for loss at 1.12 per game and 27th in tackles at 6.3 per game.

On the season, Fackrell has recorded 76 total tackles, which ranks second on the team. He also leads the team in tackles for loss (13.5) and quarterback hurries (12), and is tied for the team lead in sacks (4.0) and forced fumbles (2).

Sharp is tied for second in the MW and tied for 29th nationally with his 6.0 receptions per game. He also ranks first in the conference and 27th nationally with his eight receiving touchdowns, tied for second in the MW and tied for 10th nationally with his one kickoff return for a touchdown, fourth in the MW and 46th nationally in receiving yards (74.6 ypg), seventh in the MW and 80th in the nation in all-purpose yards (106.2 ypg), and 10th in the MW in scoring (5.4 ppg).

Sharp’s eight receiving touchdowns are tied for the 10th-most in a single season in school history.

Since 1925 the East-West Shrine Game has been more than just a football game. It's been a showcase for the next generation of NFL greats and a priceless benefit event for Shriners Hospitals for Children. The East-West Shrine Game is the longest-running all-star college football game, combining great football with a great cause and creating experiences for players that will last a lifetime.

The Senior Bowl is college football’s premier senior showcase event, annually featuring the nation’s best senior collegiate football stars and top NFL draft prospects on teams coached by NFL coaching staffs.

More than 800 general managers, head coaches, assistant coaches, scouts and other front office personnel from all 32 NFL teams attend all Senior Bowl practices and game-week festivities, making Mobile and the Senior Bowl the week-long host to a one-of-a-kind NFL Coaches Convention.

After concluding the regular season with a 6-6 overall record and 5-3 mark in the Mountain West, Utah State will now wait to hear where it will be playing in its school-record fifth consecutive bowl game.

Additional Aggie sports news is available at the Athletics website.