Rivers to play in NFLPA Collegiate Bowl

(STATS) - Northwestern State quarterback Stephen Rivers, the younger brother of San Diego Chargers signal caller Philip Rivers, was among the FCS players to accept invitations to the 2016 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

The NFL Players Association announced the first 23 acceptances to the fifth annual postseason all-star game Jan. 23 in Carson, California. In addition to Rivers, the FCS players were linebackers Akil Blount of Florida A&M and Darnell Sankey of Sacramento State, Hampton offensive lineman Torian White and Sam Houston State punter Lachlan Edwards.

Rivers ended his one season at Northwestern State with a career-high 302 passing yards against Stephen F. Austin. The 6-foot-7 graduate transfer from Vanderbilt completed 108 of 166 attempts for 1,394 yards and nine touchdowns with five interceptions this year.

"This opportunity is huge for him," NSU quarterbacks coach Kyle Manley said. "It's something he's worked for. We talked about it as the season was going on. He had things he needed to improve on to get there - pocket presence, going through progressions, taking check downs - and he did that."

Former NFL coaches Mike Holmgren and Mike Martz will lead the Collegiate Bowl teams for the second straight year.