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Duke

Duke LB Tauiliili earns defensive MVP honors in East-West Shrine game

Jan 17, 2009

Duke senior linebacker Michael Tauiliili earned Defensive MVP honors of the 84th annual East-West Shrine Bowl on Saturday afternoon in Houston, Texas.

Tauiliili, playing in his hometown, registered a game-high 13 tackles while helping the East squad to a 24-19 victory. The East defense stopped the West three times inside the 10-yard line. Trailing by five points late in the fourth period, the West squad moved inside the 10 but a fourth down pass by Central Washington's Mike Reilly was incomplete.

"It was a great stand for us," said Tauiliili, who also served as a captain for the East squad. "It was a great atmosphere playing with the best of the best."

Nebraska running back Marlon Lucky earned Offensive MVP honors after rushing for 68 yards and one touchdown.

Tauiliili becomes the second Duke player to garner Defensive MVP honors at the East-West Shrine Bowl as former Blue Devil safety Alex Green received the award in 2005.