Jan. 14, 2008

SEATTLE - Former University of Washington football standouts Louis Rankin and Marcel Reece have been invited to participate in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge, game officials confirmed today.

The game will be played on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. (Pacific) and the game will be televised live by CSTV.

The Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge will pit top collegiate players originally from Texas or who play college football in Texas against top players from around the nation. The game features a number of related events throughout the week including a "Legends of the Game" golf tournament and dinner headlined by Dallas Cowboy Hall of Famer Randy White.

Marcel Reece was a dynamic receiver for the UW.

The coaching staff for the national team will be headed up by former Philadelphia Eagles Coach Buddy Ryan and a full NFL coaching staff. Former Alabama and Texas A&M head football coach Gene Stallings will lead Team Texas.

Last season Rankin, a native of Stockton, Calif., became the first Washington rusher to surpass 1,000 yards in a single season since Rashaan Sheehee in 1997. He was a second-team All-Pac-10 selection and was voted by teammas as the Huskies' most valuable players and a team captain. His 1,294 yards was the fifth-best single season in school history.

Reece, a native of Hesperia, Calif., started all 13 games last season and won team's KING-TV Most Improved Award. He caught 39 passes for 761 yards and eight touchdowns, including a 98-yard pass from quarterback Jake Locker - the longest play from scrimmage in UW history.