Jan. 29, 2008

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne record-setting wide receiver Bruce Hocker (Upper Marlboro, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt), fresh off an appearance in the 2008 Hula Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii on Jan. 12, has accepted an invitation to play for the United States team in the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Challenge at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas on Feb. 2.

The game, which pits top collegiate players who are originally from Texas or who played college football in Texas against top players from around the nation, will be televised live by CSTV at 5:00 p.m. (EST).

Team Nation will be coached by former Philadelphia Eagles coach Buddy Ryan for the second consecutive year. Last year, Ryan led Team Nation to a 24-20 win in the inaugural Texas vs. The Nation game. The Texas team will be coached by Gene Stallings.

"I'm once again looking forward to the challenge," said Hocker, who caught a touchdown pass for the East at the Hula Bowl. "The biggest thing I noticed in Hawaii was the velocity on the passes. After I made that adjustment, it was just a matter of playing football. I'm looking forward to the game."

Hocker, a three-year starter, finished at Duquesne as the career record holder for receptions with 162. His 2,595 yards and 33 touchdowns rank second on DU's all-time lists.

The 6-4, 205-pound Upper Marlboro, Md. native, who joined current Cleveland Browns defensive back Leigh Bodden (1999-02) as the only other player in school history to be named Associated Press I-AA All-America and AFCA Division I-AA Coaches All-America as a junior, ranks third among active Football Championship Subdivision players in career touchdown receptions (33). He ranks fifth in career yards per game (78.6) and eighth in career yards per catch (16.0).

Hocker caught 54 passes for 668 yards and nine touchdowns this season in helping the Dukes to a 6-4 record.

In its first year, the Texas vs. the Nation Challenge stood out in the all-star football world setting multiple records for first-year bowls. The 108-man roster saw 79 players sign with the NFL, the highest number of signees ever to come out of a first year all-star game and a top 10 all-time record for signees in an all-star game. 21, 548 fans watched Team Nation squeeze by Texas breaking an attendance record for first year all-star games.

For more information on the game, please visit www.texasvsthenation.com.