Farrell dominates Cactus Bowl

ACU defensive end collects four sacks, Defensive MVP award

KINGSVILLE -- ACU defensive standout Clayton Farrell dominated the sixth annual Cactus Bowl on Friday, earning Defensive MVP honors as the West team whipped the East, 49-33, at Javelina Stadium.

ACU running back Rashon Myles also played in the game for NCAA Division II all-starts, starting for the West and finishing with 12 carries for 45 yards.

Farrell, who was named to multiple all-America squads after the 2005 season, had five tackles (five solo), four sacks and one forced fumble to lead the West's defensive effort. He set a Cactus Bowl record for sacks in a game, and the 34 yards in losses on the four sacks is also a bowl game record.

Farrell finished his ACU career ranked in the top five in all-time sacks and tackles for a loss in NCAA Division II history. He was also a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award signifying the top lineman in Division II football, an award that went to Grand Valley State's Mike McFadden.

That award was handed out Thursday night, and Farrell didn't finish among the top three in the final balloting, despite finishing second in the nation in both tackles for loss and sacks. However, that was just one of the ways Farrell felt he was slighted during the week.

"I didn't get a lot of attention from the NFL scouts during the week, mainly because I was practicing at a backup defensive tackle spot," he said. "I don't guess the coaches knew that I was a defensive end; they must have thought I was an undersized defensive tackle."

However, Farrell quickly set about putting his stamp on Friday night's game, despite not even being in the West's starting lineup. On his first series of the game (the East's second series), Farrell recorded a sack of East quarterback Joey Conrad on a third-and-10 play that forced a punt.

Two East possessions later, Farrell sacked quarterback Zack Ellis for a nine-yard loss that set up a third-and-33 play. On the East's second possession of the second half, Farrell sacked Ellis for a six-yard loss back to the East 1-yard line and forced a fumble that was recovered by Wilbert Martin of Texas A&M-Kingsville. The West scored three plays later on a 1-yard run by Jamar Day to give the West a 40-14 lead with 6:52 left in the third quarter.

Farrell's final sack of the game came with 3:47 left left in the game when he dropped Conrad for an 11-yard loss and a safety to give the West a 49-21 lead. Friday night's game was very reminiscent of Farrell's play against Tarleton State on Oct. 22 when he recorded a career-high four sacks, eight tackles, five tackles for loss and one safety in an 18-7 ACU win.

Farrell said he hoped he put his name on the radar of NFL scouts in advance of ACU's "Pro Day" later this spring where among others, Farrell, running back Rashon Myles, wide receiver Robb Spells and perhaps defensive back Danieal Manning, will run for NFL scouts.

"A lot of people underestimated me this week, and I don't believe I got a lot of respect during the week of practice," Farrell said. "It was a great experience to be around the other players during the week and get a chance to play against such great athletes. I think I obviously showed that I can get to the quarterback from both the inside and the outside, so hopefully the scouts will look at that. I don't think I hurt myself, that's for sure."

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