APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University football standout Taylor Mandich has been chosen to play in the Bowl of the Stars in Mexico next month.
Mandich (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest), a senior wide receiver, is among a select group of 13 standouts to be chosen to play in the game that pits NCAA Division III players against the CONADEIP All-Stars in Monterrey, Mexico.
“I wanted to play in the game because it is a great opportunity to represent Lawrence University and our football program,” Mandich said. “Without the help of my teammates and coaches, none of this would be possible so I want to represent them well and make them proud. Also, Sam Wagner and Luke Barthelmess had told me about how great of an experience it was for them and how they really enjoyed it.”
Barthelmess and Wagner played in the 2013 Bowl of the Stars and led Team Stars and Stripes to a 29-7 victory. Barthelmess, Lawrence’s record-setting quarterback, was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Mandich is having a stellar season for the Vikings after returning from a season-ending injury in 2013. Mandich leads the team in all receiving categories with 33 catches for 583 yards and five touchdowns with two games left to play.
Mandich leads the league at 17.7 yards per catch and ranks sixth in the league at 72.9 receiving yards per game. He also is 10th at 4.1 catches per game.
Lawrence returns to action on Saturday when it travels to Ripon College for the 114th renewal of the state’s oldest college football rivalry.