Jan. 12, 2009

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech senior safety Darcel McBath and offensive lineman Louis Vasquez are in Houston this week for six days of practice and activities in advance of this year's East-West Shrine Game on Saturday at Robertson Stadium. The game will kickoff at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

McBath, a consensus All-Big 12 First-Team selecton, led the Red Raiders with seven interceptions on the season, the most since Tracy Saul collected eight in 1991. McBath finished his career with 12 picks and ranks in a fifth-place tie on the Tech all-time interceptions list. His seven INTs in 2008 also tied fifth on the single-season list.

Vasquez, as Associated Press All-America Third Team pick, anchored an offensive line that yielded only 11 sacks in over 600 pass attempts during the regular season. Under his protection, Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell became the first quarterback in NCAA history to record multiple 5,000-yard passing seasons, while the running game experienced its best season under head coach Mike Leach, totaling 28 scores, the most since 1993.

The duo will compete for the West Team, which will be coached by former Alabama head coach Gene Stallings.

For more information on the Shrine Game, log-on to www.shrinegame.com.