Texas Tech University Athletics
Curtis, Williams Set for Shrine Bowl Kickoff
January 11, 2002 | Football
Jan. 11, 2002
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech Red Raider seniors Kevin Curtis (Lubbock, Texas) and Ricky Williams (Duncanville, Texas) will be among some of the nation's top players participating in the 2000 East-West Shrine Game Saturday in San Francisco at Pacific Bell Park. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. (CT) and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
Undoubtedly one of the best running backs in school history, Williams set five records during his career: single-game rushing attempts (42), career rushing attempts (789), single-game receptions (13), single-season receptions (92) and single-season receptions per game (8.4). Williams also is only the second player in Tech history to rush for 1,000 yards and receive for a 1,000 yards. He finished his career in third place with 3,661 rushing yards and is only the fourth player to rush for 3,000+.
Williams was a Doak Walker Award semifinalist in 1998 and a preseason Heisman candidate in 1999 before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the first game. He earned All-Big 12 honors as an all-purpose player and as a running back this season.
Curtis finished his career second all-time on the tackles list at Tech with 422 and among the top 10 with 10 career interceptions. The Football News Second-Team All-America defensive back was a dominant force for the Red Raiders during his four seasons and started 35 games.
Williams will wear No. 2 and Curtis will don No. 31 for the West Team. Oregon's Joey Harrington will quarterback the team, while Oregon's Mike Bellotti will serve as head coach. Former San Francisco 49er head coach Bill Walsh will serve as the honorary coach.
The bowl game is the first of two all-star games the duo is scheduled to participate. Curtis and Williams also will be in uniform for the Hula Bowl Feb. 2. Kickoff for that game is slated for 7 p.m. on ESPN.
Monies generated from the game help support the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The game has been played since 1925 to raise money and to help make the public aware of the expert orthopedic and burn care available, at no cost, at all 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children across the country.
