SOU teammates Baker and Thurman also set to play in the 65th annual Blue Gray Classic on Christmas Day

By KRIS HENRY
Mail Tribune

Dusty McGrorty is a firm believer that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

When the former Warrenton High all-star wanted to continue his football career, he was snubbed more than Susan Lucci at the Emmy’s before finally finding a home in Ashland at Southern Oregon University.

His résumé as the 1998 Class 2A offensive and defensive player of the year was noteworthy, but those at the NCAA Division I level had concerns over whether the talent that led him to state records of 2,593 yards and 40 TDs would translate to stronger competition.

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He spent the better part of four seasons at SOU trying to dispel those concerns, capping his Raider career with 5,414 rushing yards (No. 4 all-time among NAIA players), 79 touchdowns (No. 2 all-time) and 474 points (No. 2 all-time).

Still, in the back of McGrorty’s mind, there’s always been a desire to see if he has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Thanks to the failure of some senior running back to accept his invitation to the 65th Blue Gray Classic in Troy, Ala., McGrorty will get his chance Christmas Day.

"It was kind of a surprise," McGrorty says of his invitation to play in the senior all-star game.

McGrorty says his agent, Zeke Sandhu of Success Sports in Phoenix, Ariz., informed him a few weeks ago that he topped the list of alternate running backs. His big break came when one of the invited running backs failed to return his contract to play in the game.

"I have no idea who it was or why the guy didn’t send his contract back," says McGrorty. "Maybe he didn’t want to go or his team’s in a bowl game. I don’t know and I don’t care. All I know is I’m glad I’m getting the chance to go showcase my skills against Division I athletes."

Joining him in the country’s second-oldest collegiate all-star game will be SOU teammates Steve Baker and Andrae Thurman. Their appearances will mark the first major-college all-star representation by a Raider since defensive lineman Jon Chamberlain competed in the 1998 Hula Bowl.

The game will be televised live on ESPN2 beginning at noon PST.

"I remember watching (the Blue Gray Classic) when I was younger," says McGrorty. "It’s amazing to think I’m going to be one of those guys out there."

Traditionally the first postseason all-star game each year, the Blue Gray Classic is rich in tradition when you consider the list of past players and coaches includes the likes of Paul "Bear" Bryant, Bart Starr, Len Dawson and Fran Tarkenton.

In more recent years, NFL stars Jerry Rice, Terrell Davis, Bruce Smith, Curtis Martin, Shannon Sharpe and Matt Hasselbeck have taken the field.

For players like Rice (Mississippi Valley State) and Sharpe (Savannah State College) the game helped vault their names up draft boards after they showed they could compete with major-college talents.

McGrorty hopes to springboard from the Blue Gray Classic in similar fashion.

"This game here can’t really break me," says the 6-foot, 225-pound tailback, "but it can make me for NFL purposes.

"My main goal is to go out there and play like I’ve played at SOU the last four years and, hopefully, it all turns out OK."

McGrorty certainly isn’t taking his opportunity lightly. He arrived back home in Warrenton for the winter break Thursday night and immediately put his workout clothes on and headed to his former high school.

"I’m so excited," says the all-time NAIA rushing TD leader (75) and holder of 10 SOU and eight regional records. "I’m going to talk to the athletic director about using their weight room until I leave on the 18th."

He’s also sought council from good friend Griff Yates, the Raider great he surpassed on the school’s record books. Yates went undrafted after his senior campaign in 1999, but wound up signing a free-agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He was cut in training camp.

"The main thing he says is don’t be intimidated," McGrorty says. "We talked two days ago and he said he was intimidated and that’s the one thing you don’t want to do. He said, ‘Just go out and be yourself. Those guys aren’t any better than you.’"

McGrorty will find out soon enough.

"I’m not really sure what to expect," he says. "The speed and size of the guys is going to be a little different, but I won’t really know until I get there."

At least one player with major-college experience thinks McGrorty will do just fine.

"It’s going to be more of a make or break deal for Dusty than myself or Andrae because we have Division I experience, and we’ve been looked at before," says Baker, who began his career at Arizona State in 1998 before transferring to SOU two years ago. "He’s going to get looks. It’s what he does with those looks — and I think he’s got the talent to do anything he wants."

Although none of the Raiders know whether they’ll be on the Blue or Gray sideline, Baker has been told he’s the only punter invited to kick for his team. He led the NAIA with a 43.8 punting average this past season after finishing second at 42.8 in 2002.

Thurman, who transferred from the University of Arizona this past season, has returned to his home in Phoenix, Ariz., and was unavailable for comment. The 6-foot, 190-pound receiver led SOU and finished fifth in the NAIA with 6.9 receptions per game. He also ranked second among Northwest small-college players with an average of 105 yards receiving per game.

While the Christmas Day event will cap the trio’s college experience, Baker says the six days leading up to the game aren’t just an all-expense paid vacation.

"Practices in the six days prior to the game are just as important as the game’s going to be because that’s where the exposure’s going to be," says Baker. "The game is much smaller in comparison to getting your name out there to the scouts. It’s a six-day business trip. If you’re going to try to go to the NFL, that’s the way you have to look at it."

After all, it’s all about perspective.

Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail khenry@mailtribune.com