UNITED STATES DEFEATS MEXICO 23-3 IN 2004 AZTEC BOWL

CANCUN, MEX. — Otterbein's Micheaux Robinson returned a second half interception 60 yards for a touchdown and Wooster's Tony Sutton ran for two scores as the United States defeated Mexico 23-3 Saturday night in the 2004 Aztec Bowl at Estadio Cancun 86 in Cancun, Mexico.

The win was the seventh in eight tries for the United States in what has become an annual battle between the top college football players in Mexico and the top Division III players in the United States.

Robinson had two of the four U.S. interceptions to earn Team USA MVP honors.

"Their quarterback was scrambling and a lot of guys were running around," Robinson said. "I thought he might
come back my way so I just sat on the route. I had an open field in front of me so I knew all I had to do was
turn on some speed to get in the end zone.

"I'm glad I had a chance to come down here and play for Team USA. It was my goal from the start of the season
to have a chance to play in this game because it's the highest honor a Division III player can receive."

The Team USA defense forced six Mexico turnovers and held the home team to 107 yards in total offense in
the second half.

"I felt all week this was as good a team as we've ever had," U.S. Head Coach Ron Schipper said after the game.
"But this was the best team Mexico's had yet. We got great play from an awful lot of people. The secondary
just did a super job. Not allowing any long plays was the key to this win."

The United States got on the board first when a bad shotgun snap sailed over the head of quarterback Horacio
Juarez and out of the back of the end zone for a safety early in the second quarter to give Team USA a 2-0 lead.

DePauw's Jamarcus Shepherd returned the ensuing free kick 56 yards to set Team USA up at Mexico's 23 yard
line. Three plays later Sutton rambled 11 yards for the first Team USAtouchdown of the night to move the score
to 9-0.

"We ran a power left and I was just able to get outside," Sutton said. "It feels great to win for the United States.
Anytime you put the best players in any division together it's an honor to be on the team."

Mexico finally got on the board with 4:07 to go in the half on a 32-yard field goal by Gustavo Tella that closed
the gap to 9-3. The only other serious Mexico scoring threats in the first half ended in a missed first quarter
field goal by Tella and an interception in the end zone by Wisconsin-Whitewater's Trey Bell on the final play
of the first quarter.

After stopping the first USA drive of the half, Mexico moved down the field and had reached the U.S. 44 yard
line before Robinson stepped in front of a pass from Mexico's Rodrigo Perez and sprinted 60 yards for the score.
The touchdown extended the lead to 16-3 and swung the momentum in favor of Team USA.

Mexico continued to press the USA defense but was continually turned back by the American defense. Robinson
and St. Thomas cornerback Steve Groth killed Mexico drives with interceptions and Willamette defensive end
Nate Matlock returned a late fumble 38 yards to set up Sutton's final score with 7:33 to go in the fourth quarter.

Offensively, the United States was limited to just 250 yards in total offense but that total was nearly equaled by
the American defensive and special team units that rolled up 231 yards in interception, fumble and kick return
yards.

Robinson added four tackles to his interception total while Groth added a team-high seven tackles and a pair of
pass break-ups to his interception. Aaron Goldstein of Trinity's (Conn.) and Wartburg's Brian McIntire also
recorded seven tackles to join Groth at the top of the U.S. defensive chart.

Carthage's Dante Washington led Team USA in rushing with 58 yards on 11 carries while Wilkes' Brett Trichilo
ran for 55 yards on just nine carries. Sutton had 31 yards to go along with his two scores. Trinity's (Texas) Dan
Desplaines completed eight of 13 passes for 106 yards. Albright's Nick Cushman was the leading receiver with
two catches for 57 yards.

Team USA also got a strong performance from punter Dan Eggertsson of Franklin & Marshall, who averaged
39.6 yards on five punts.

Juarez completed 11 of 18 passes for 106 yards and an interception. Rene Molina ran for 52 yards on 11 carries
to earn Mexico Team MVP honors.
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Schipper praised his team's performance following the game.

"This group was very, very special because they played as a football team and that's not an easy thing to do when
you only have five days to come together," Schipper said. "They were an unselfish group and there were no egos
this week. I wish we could coach them again."

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