Medal of Honor Bowl Stats

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Norfolk State safety Keenan Lambert recorded five tackles, including one tackle for loss, to help the National team defeat the American 26-14 in the second annual Medal of Honor Bowl hosted by The Citadel on Saturday afternoon at Johnson Hagood Stadium.
 
Ryan Williams (Miami, Fla.) threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Damiere Byrd (South Carolina) to spark a 20-0 surge in the second half that helped the National team overcome a 14-6 deficit. Will Conant (Air Force) kicked four field goals, and Brison Williams (South Carolina) capped the second-half National uprising with a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown with 8:35 left in the game.
 
Lambert and the National team defense were stout throughout, allowing just 211 yards of offense and forcing three American turnovers. Playing primarily in the team's nickel package, Lambert was second on the National team in tackles, trailing only the six recorded by Auburn defensive back Jermaine Whitehead.

"It was a great experience to play with players from both the FBS and FCS. It allowed me to see where my skill level is compared to other elite college athletes," Lambert said. "I also was able to learn many different techniques to better my man and zone coverage abilities. Not only was I able to showcase my skills to over 100 NFL scouts, I was able to represent my family and University in a positive manner."
 
While the Medal of Honor Bowl is one of the newer college all-star games, it made a successful debut last year. Of the players who participated in the 2014 bowl, there were three NFL draft picks and 64 earned invitations to NFL preseason camps. Coaches for this year's game included former S.C. State and Howard head coach Willie Jeffries, former Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry, former Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Georgia Tech head coach Chan Gailey, and former NFL players Patrick Sapp, Joe Jacoby and Ernie Mills, among others.

In addition to showcasing their skills for professional scouts, players from the game also had the opportunity to participate in a game which benefits the National Medal of Honor Museum in South Carolina and also the Wounded Warriors of South Carolina.

Added Lambert: "The Medal of Honor Bowl gave me a better understanding of the hardships that military personnel go through, and it made me respect them even more."

Lambert, a member of the NSU Athletics Director's Honor Roll and MEAC All-Academic Team, earned his bachelor's degree in business management in December. He will now turn his attention toward his aspirations of a professional football career.
 
Lambert earned first-team All-MEAC honors this past season for the Spartans, completing a stellar four-year career. Lambert tallied 52 tackles, three interceptions, nine pass breakups and one forced fumble for NSU, which finished the season ranked No. 2 in the national FCS rankings in both total defense and pass defense.
 
Lambert played in all 47 games and started 40 times in his four-year Spartan career. He tallied 206 career tackles, 10 tackles for loss, eight interceptions and 26 pass breakups.