Team National falls to Team American 17-9 in 2026 Senior Bowl

Garrett Nussmeier named MVP after rushing touchdown in loss

Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:47pm

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The 2026 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama saw Team American defeat Team National by a score of 17-9 on Saturday afternoon. Team American's defense forced two first-half turnovers to take a 17-0 lead at halftime. The star of the game was Team National's Garrett Nussmeier, who won MVP after throwing for 57 yards and scoring a rushing touchdown.

Why it matters

The Senior Bowl is a crucial event for NFL Draft prospects to showcase their skills in front of scouts and coaches. Strong performances can significantly boost a player's draft stock, while disappointing outings can hurt their chances of being selected early.

The details

Indiana's Kaelon Black led Team National with 45 rushing yards and 9 receiving yards. On the defensive side, Nadame Tucker of Team National recorded 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss. For Team American, Quintayvious Hutchins and Keyron Crawford each had a sack.

  • The 2026 Senior Bowl took place on Saturday, January 31, 2026 in Mobile, Alabama.

The players

Garrett Nussmeier

The MVP of the 2026 Senior Bowl, Nussmeier threw for 57 yards and scored a rushing touchdown for Team National.

Kaelon Black

The Indiana running back led Team National with 45 rushing yards and 9 receiving yards.

Nadame Tucker

The Team National defensive player recorded 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss.

Quintayvious Hutchins

The Team American defensive player recorded 1 sack.

Keyron Crawford

The Team American defensive player recorded 1 sack.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in the coming months, where teams will have the opportunity to select the top prospects who showcased their skills at the Senior Bowl.

The takeaway

The Senior Bowl remains a crucial event for NFL Draft prospects to impress scouts and coaches, with strong performances potentially boosting a player's draft stock and helping them achieve their professional football dreams.