MONTGOMERY, Ala. – NSU quarterback Dennis Brown (Miami, Fla.) passed for 117 yards and the go-ahead touchdown, and Spartan safety Terrell Whitehead (Virginia Beach, Va.) intercepted a pass to help the East team beat the West squad 26-20 in the inaugural Russell Athletics HBCU Bowl on Dec. 19 at the Cramton Bowl.

Kicker Justin Castellat (Virginia Beach, Va.), the other Spartan playing in the game, connected on all three of his extra-point tries and hit a 23-yard field goal for the East, which was comprised of seniors from the MEAC and CIAA conferences. The West team was comprised of players from the SWAC and SIAC.

Brown played all but one series as the East’s quarterback, connecting on 9-of-25 passes with no interceptions. His 33-yard TD pass to Hampton’s LaMarcus Coker in the second quarter gave the East a 19-14 lead, which it would not relinquish. Brown added 22 rushing yards on seven carries.

Whitehead had a third-quarter interception, which he returned 30 yards into West territory. He also had three tackles and a pass breakup late in the fourth quarter.