By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior football players Scott Hirschberger (C, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) and Cory Lowe (DE, Beaverton, OR/Beaverton HS) have been selected to play in a new NCAA Division III All-Star game near Mexico City, Mexico, later this month. The Tazon de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) will match the United States team, featuring players from Division III colleges and universities, against the Tec Monterrey All-Stars on Saturday, Dec. 19.

Team Stars & Stripes will practice in Mexico from Monday, Dec. 14 until Friday, Dec. 18. The U.S. team's opponent, Tec Monterrey, has won eight of the past 10 Liga Major (Major League) football national championships.

Tec Monterrey is the premier private university system in Mexico. It has campuses in numerous locations throughout the country.

The preliminary roster for Team Stars & Stripes included 51 players from 20 states. Athletes selected to participate in the game represented 35 colleges and universities. Final additions to the roster will be made this week.

"The fact that we have so many schools and states represented shows how far and wide the appeal of flying the flag overseas for Division III football reaches across the United States," said event organizer Patrick Steenberge. "We will have players traveling from coast to coast who will come together as a team in Mexico and celebrate their college football careers together."

Scott Hirschberger (Sr., C) was named First Team All-Northwest Conference for the second year in a row (2008, 2009), after earning Second Team All-NWC honors in 2007. He started all 41 games during his four years with the Bearcats.

Hirschberger was an exceptional blocker throughout his career. He contributed to Willamette's offensive success, both in the running game and in pass protection.

This year, Hirschberger led the Willamette offensive line as the Bearcats rushed for 2,344 yards in 10 games (234.4 avg.) and passed for an additional 1,684 yards (168.4 avg.). The Bearcats averaged 5.1 yards per running play and 8.3 yards per pass attempt.

Cory Lowe (Sr., DE) also earned First Team All-NWC honors this season. He achieved 32 total tackles, with 16 solo tackles and 16 assists. He tied for second on the team with 8.0 tackles for losses and ranked second with 5.5 sacks. He recovered three fumbles and brought two of the fumbles back for touchdowns. He also forced one fumble, broke up four passes and recorded four quarterback hurries.

Lowe started all 10 games in 2009 and finished his career with 40 games played. He achieved 133 career tackles (64 solo) to go with 31.5 tackles for losses and 18.5 sacks. He recovered five fumbles during his career and broke up 12 passes. He was chosen Second Team All-NWC in both 2007 and 2008.

The Bearcats earned a combined record of 25-16 (.610) during the four-year careers of Hirschberger and Lowe. Willamette went 19-3 over the past two seasons, including an NCAA Division III playoff berth in 2008.

Global Football, Inc. is producing the Tazon de Estrellas. Other sponsors include Russell Athletic and The Graphic Edge.

During the past 14 years, Global Football has coordinated football games in 18 nations and has worked with the National Football League, U.S.A. Football, Super Bowl host committees, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Pop Warner, various colleges in the United States and National Football Federations worldwide.