Punter Zamora Becomes Second Lumberjack Chosen for Tucson All-Star Game
TUCSON, Ariz. - Northern Arizona punter Drew Zamora has been selected to play in the Casino del Sol College All-Star Game. The game will be played at Kino Stadium in Tucson on Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Arizona.
"This game is a really big opportunity for me," said Zamora. "To be a smaller school guy to get in a big game like this I hope to showcase what I can do for my hopeful future. The professional attitude of the game really sets a good stage for me. I am really excited."
Zamora averaged 41.5 yards per punt with 10 punts of 50 or more yards with a season-long of 70 yards. He earned All-America honorable mention accolades from Beyond College Sports last week. He graduated with a degree in hotel and restaurant management in December.
"Since graduation, I have moved to Tempe and have been training full time," said Zamora. "I have been working on my flexibility and stretching three times a day. We are kicking three days a week and tweaking some things in the punt game with my drop. So far I have seen great results and better consistency."
After transferring to NAU from New Mexico, Zamora handled the kickoff and punting duties for three seasons with the Lumberjacks. He was an All-Big Sky second-team selection in 2010 with a 42.2 per punt average with 16 punts inside-the-20 with a long of 70. The Colorado Springs, Colo., native ranked third in the Big Sky and 12th in the nation in punting average, recording two 70-yard punts during the season to become the second punter in school history to record two punts of 70 yards or more in the same season.
"I have lots of good memories at NAU especially with the specialists group," said Zamora. "We had a real close group. NAU really gave me a chance and Coach Souers gave me an opportunity to keep playing football. I am going to remember the big games in the Skydome and playing in the Big Sky Conference."
The Casino del Sol College All-Star Game, formerly known as the Blue-Gray Game and Eastham Energy All-Star Classic, will feature more than 90 college seniors in a game played in front of scouts from more than 30 NFL teams. Former college coaches Houston Nutt and Pat Hill will serve as the game coaches.
The All-Star Game moved to Tucson this year. In 2011 it was played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. This will be the first of four upcoming college all-star games, including the NFLPA College Football All-Star Game in Los Angeles and the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg on Jan. 21 and the Senior Bowl in Mobile on Jan. 28.
The Tucson Padres are now the owners and operators of the Casino Del Sol All-Star Game, a college football showcase to be held at Kino Stadium on Monday, January 16, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. The Tucson Padres recently purchased the rights to the game from AZ Sports Group LLC. The Padres staff has been active in the ticket and game day preparations for months.
Zamora is the second Lumberjack to be selected for a College All-Star game, joining tight end Brian Riley at the all-star game. Senior wide receiver Khalil Paden played in the FCS Senior Scout Bowl.
