Brian Riley's Blog: I Had a Blast

Finally back home from the Casino Del Sol All Star Game. It wasn't too far of a trip for me to get home, just right across town, but since I was living in the hotel of a casino for a week it sure does feel a lot different. 

Whenever I'm hungry I keep wanting to go into the kitchen to find a whole buffet of foods ranging from lobster tails, all you can eat sushi, salmon, steak, prime rib, and pretty much anything else you can think of. Unfortunately, none of that is in my kitchen. Honestly it is a good thing because I need to get back to paying attention to my "figure."

As I have stated multiple times in my past blogs the Casino Del Sol All Star Game was an incredible experience. It was especially fun coming from a smaller school and competing with some of the best football players around the country. On Sunday morning during our meetings I learned that I was going to be starting at Tight End for the Stripes team and I was PUMPED!

As most of you all know I love playing football and I was so happy to get the chance to play again and represent the Jacks. I got a considerable amount of head banging done in the game and my body is paying for it now, but it was all worth it like usual. I was happy to be a part of an offense that drove our Stripes down the field for a couple scores.

For those that watched, you know the game was very close and it came down to the last 30 seconds before it was decided. I know it's not something that the upcoming seniors of the NAU Football squad should be focusing on right now, but next year after the National Championship game that we are going to win, you graduating seniors should definitely consider trying to get into an All Star game.

I highly recommend the experience and opportunity to show what you got to NFL and CFL scouts. Lastly, I just want to thank all of the coaches and players that pushed me to be my best, competed with me for the past 4 years, and to all the friends I made on the football team over the years it sure was fun. GO JACKS!

Casino del Sol College All-Star Blog Day 6

By Drew Zamora 

It is day six of the Casino Del Sol All Star game week here in Tucson, Ariz. Today is essentially an off day for players and staff who got to sleep in a little today before short meetings with our separate teams.  This blog will highlight some of the community events going on, sponsors and gear we have received, and some personal feelings on the game ahead.

Kids Clinic
Brian's blog touched on his experience at the kids camp from last night, but i thought i would share some from my time on the field with the kids.  The specialist group (kickers, punters, and snappers)  were in charge of running a kicking and punting station for the kids.  I really enjoyed seeing the them attempting to kick field goals and challenging one another to see who could kick the farthest.  Highlight of the camp was one little boy who told me that i could, "kick farther then his Dad could!"  After drill work we signed about 20-30 autographs before heading over to a feast of a BBQ that the resort prepared for us. 

Well Oiled Machine
Yesterday my practice took place inside Kino Stadium where i had a chance to get used to the surface.  The field is in excellent shape and should be perfect to plant and kick off of tomorrow night!  Snapper James Winchester (Oklahoma) and holder Jarret Lee (LSU) joined me as we got to work on our operation.  Several spectators commented on our snap to kick operation telling us that it looked like "a well oiled machine" and that is seemed as if "we had been doing it together for the past 4 years, not just 3 days."

NIKE
I have been getting a lot of questions about what type of gear and gifts we have received since getting here.  Nike is the big apparel sponsor for the game and what a great sponsor it is to have!  They gave us brand new Nike duffel bags that were loaded with shorts, shirts, All star game polos, and hats among other things!  We also received a really nice Nike hooded sweatshirt and will be able to keep our custom nike game day jerseys.

I am truly blessed to have had the support of so many people throughout my life and career in football.  My parents Mike, Lori, and younger sister Sierra arrived last night in Tucson for the the game tomorrow.  They have been my foundation through highs and lows both on and off the field and have not missed a single college game in my whole career!  Calling them expert travelers would be an understatement.  It means the world to me to have them here this weekend for yet another game, and i hope there are many more in my future for them to come to. 

Thanks for reading the blog!  I hope everyone has cleared their schedule for Monday night to watch the Casino Del Sol All Star Game on Fox Sports Arizona.  I will be wearing #48 in red for the Stars squad.  Best Wishes and go Jacks!

Casino del Sol All-Star Blog: Brian Riley

TUCSON, Ariz. - This week of practice has been some of the most intense hard hitting football I have ever played.

Everything has been turned up a few notches since the scouts have been here watching our every move but I know I have enjoyed the pressure and I think a lot of the other players here have as well.

Today we finally had a small break from all the contact. Part of me definitely wanted to continue to keep up with the full contact but at the end of the day my body was thankful for the day of review. Practice today was more like a Thursday or a Friday practice up at NAU just making sure personnel groupings and transitions on and off the field were crisp along with making sure everyone on the field knew the playbook inside and out.

Also today we had the opportunity to serve the community of Tucson by participating in a mini-camp for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Nearly 100 kids of all ages joined us at the Casino Del Sol to work on football drills and get to know us ex-college players and professional hopefuls.

I had a lot of fun cheering on the kids during the 40-yard sprint race. As you can see in the picture it was pretty intense and the kids had a great time!

After the drills the kids asked us for autographs and we had a little BBQ out on the pool deck. The food was amazing and trust me it has been all week!

Lastly the stripes team is definitely ready to play on Monday. All of the practices have been completed and now it's time to get into the game. I'm extremely excited for Monday and I know my team is as well. Everyone should come down to Tucson to enjoy the game, the weather is beautiful, or just check it out on Fox Sports Arizona. It is going to be a lot of fun!