2026 East-West Shrine Bowl Offensive MVP Mark Gronowski and Defensive MVP Mason Reiger share a moment with West head coach Lunda Wells on the podium after the game.
The West's 21-17 victory over the East capped the 101st version of the game.
The 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl starred several collegians putting final exclamation points on their careers. Offensive Game MVP Mark Gronowski excelled both in-and-out of the pocket for the West squad. Gronowski accounted for 114 yards of total offense.
On the other side of the ball, Wisconsin edge rusher Mason Reiger earned Defensive MVP honors after a four-tackle, three-sack performance. Reiger won quickly off the edge to force a fumble which was recovered by LSU’s Wes Weeks. Former Duke defensive lineman Wesley Williams made his presence felt all night. Williams secured seven tackles, one quarterback and posted three tackles for loss. His fourth quarter forced fumble resulted in a fumble recovery TD by Blue Devils teammate Aaron Hall.
The West players stand in the tunnel prior to their final collegiate performances at the Ford Center.
The Shriners (seen carrying the American flag in the pregame) is a fraternity based organization that supports the Shriners Children’s global healthcare system. They sponsor the game to raise money and provide specialized care to children regardless of their financial situation. The players in the game often visit the Shriners hospital during the week of the game.
Several conferences were represented amongst each team's captains. The West had captains from the SEC (Oklahoma OC Febechi Nwaiwu, Texas DE Ethan Burke), Big Ten (Iowa QB Mark Gronowski, Iowa WR-Ret Kaden Wetjen) and MAC (Miami, OH. LB Jackson Kuwatch). The East captains came from the American (Navy RB Eli Heidenreich, Navy DT Landon Robinson). Big 12 (BYU LS Garson Grimes, Kansas QB Jadon Daniels ) and Big Ten (Wisconsin DE Mason Reiger).
After shooting the gap inside of Mississippi State TE Seydou Traore, Louisiana LB Jaden Dugger (No. 32 pictured) attempts to make a tackle on a goal line run in the first quarter. A false start nullified the play.
As UCLA OT Garrett DiGiorgio blocks Wisconsin DE Mason Reiger (No. 22 pictured), Wyoming OL Caden Barnett looks to help after realizing Navy DT Landon Robinson is secured. Iowa QB Mark Gronowski scans the field for a target.
Former Florida punter Tommy Doman averaged 47.5 yards per punt on two punts in the game. Dating back to his time at Michigan, Doman punts directionally left or right (directional left, 48 yds, 4.69 hang, FC, 1st QTR, Ohio St '23). He also kicked off while at Michigan.
One of the game's biggest moments was this 57-yard field goal by Florida PK Trey Smack as time expired to end the first half. Smack connected on 10 of his 13 field goals from beyond 50 yards as a Gator.
Montana all-purpose threat Michael Wortham (No. 88 pictured)-a 2025 Walter Payton Award finalist- had a big impact during the week and on game day (72 return yards-PR and KR). Wortham (5'8, 182) -a former QB/All-Purpose threat at EWU- combines electric quickness with fast turnover. He accounted for 2,431 all-purpose yards and 18 TDs (PASS, 7 RUSH, 10 REC) for the Grizzlies this past season.
An offensive line communication gaffe allowed Missouri's Sterling Webb to come free as Kansas QB Jalon Daniels attempts to throw the ball away.
Toledo RB Chip Trayanum (pictured) -a former Ohio State Buckeye- attempts to transfer speed-to-power in finishing a run in the third quarter of the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl. Maryland safety Jalen Huskey fits him up impressively in the alley.
On a gap-schemed run, Texas OL DJ Campbell kicks out Central Michigan DE Michael Heldman (No. 94 pictured) as Toledo RB Chip Trayanum (7 carries, 39 yards) finds the cutback lane.
One of the more impressive interior defensive lineman of the week was Duke DT Aaron Hall (6'4, 296). Hall beats the cut-off block attempt by Wyoming's Caden Barnett (No. 78 pictured) on this play to record a tackle for loss. 11 of Hall's 22.5 career tackles for loss came this past season, when he finished with 44 tackles and 2.5 QB sacks. Conversely, Wake Forest OL Fa'alili Fa'aome's athleticism (pictured reaching No. 40 Williams)-despite two false start penalties- continued to shine.
Kansas QB Jalon Daniels (6'0, 219) throws a pass on the run at full speed to LSU WR Chris Hilton (No. 13 pictured) crossing the field. Daniels concluded an impressive career at Kansas with 90 total TDs (67 PASS, 23 RUSH). His live arm stood out through the week of action.
Miami (OH) LB Jackson Kuwatch (6'4, 230) leaps to knock away a pass thrown by East QB Kyron Drones in the fourth quarter. Kuwatch finished his final campaign with 109 tackles, 5 QB sacks and 10 TFLs.
Kuwatch (pictured with teammates) celebrates his Hail Mary interception that iced the game for the West squad.
Ole Miss OL Diego Pounds locks up with Baylor Bears and former Tulane transfer Adonis Friloux (No. 17 pictured) in the second half of the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl. Louisville OC Pete Nygra (pictured left) handles the upfield charge of USC DL Monkell Goodwine (No. 2 pictured).
Louisiana LB Jaden Dugger (No. 32 pictured) is set to meet Tulsa RB Dominic Richardson in the hole. Dugger led all players with eight tackles in the game. Richardson - a late add and former Baylor Bear- rushed for a game-high 57 yards on 10 carries. He later spun to make Dugger miss in the hole on this same drive.
2026 East-West Shrine Bowl Offensive MVP Mark Gronowski and Defensive MVP Mason Reiger share a moment with West head coach Lunda Wells on the podium after the game.
The West's 21-17 victory over the East capped the 101st version of the game.
