While most of the country might be focused on the NFL playoff battles on Sunday, Rice's Brandon Long is one of nearly 100 college football players who are hoping their own efforts on the gridiron the same day might provide the opportunity to one day reach those same playoffs.

Rice's deep snapper for every game over the last four years, Long was selected to play in the first annual Eastham Energy College All-Star Game, which will kickoff at 6:30 (central) at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.   The game was the brainchild of former Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach and several others. 

Long will play for the Stripes squad, coached by Hal Mumme.   The game will be broadcast by Fox Sports Arizona and picked up in additional markets around the country by the various FSN affiliates.

Long checked in with the R Blog this week in the middle of preparations for the game.

Where were you when you found out you had been selected for the game?  How did you react/who did you call first?

I was actually in my back yard playing with the dog when I got the call inviting me to  the game. I was really surprised because there really isn't a way to quantify snappers, there just isn't any statistical categories, so the fact that they chose to invite me meant a lot. I called my dad first, he's probably the one that helped me most along the way.

When we talked in the fall, you had mentioned that a few scouts had talked to you about the possibility of continuing your career.  Is the invitation to this game an indication that there is something to that talk?

Perhaps-- it certainly is an opportunity to get in front of a lot of scouts and make a case for playing at the next level.

I would imagine you have a lot of interaction with scouts during practice. What do they tell you?

 I haven't spoken with many in practice and to tell you the truth the interactions outside of practice are more gauges of character than questions about football. They all want to know if you have arrests and stuff like that. And some of the questions on the tests we take are kinda quirky (ex. Have you played on a team that punted on first down?).

How close are you to completing your degree? I know you had gone on some interviews in the fall, do you have some back up options if professional football does not become a reality, or if it locks out?

I am taking class right now but its only one class so the stress levels should remain pretty low this semester. Currently I'm just enjoying the fact that I get one more game and looking forward to opportunities Rice has given me, both from an athletic and academic standpoint. I have very nice job in the finance industry I'm looking forward to. However, the possibility to play at the next level is a once in a lifetime opportunity I can't pass up.

Was there any part of you that thought when you pulled off the pads after the UAB game that it might be your last game ever?

Oh I definitely thought that may have been my last game. Now at least I get to play one more.

Had you been working out when the invitation to the game came, or did you have to step things up a bit to shaky of a little holiday "rust"?

Yea I kept working out after the season, I figure there no harm in hitting the gym every once in a while. I did go out and snap some before coming here to make sure I wasn't too rusty.

Talk a little about what you've done since you go to Phoenix... any funny or memorable moments?  Anything special about playing in the first year of this game?

It's been alot of fun thus far and the weather is great. I've met a ton of good guys and made a lot of friends and its pretty cool to trade stories and see how other programs operate (Rice is unique, with the college system and no athletic dorms... stuff like that.) The tests we have taken are something else... lots of odd ball questions meant to delve into how you think.

I was surprised to see that this game was actually created by former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach and several other people. Has he been an active participant in this first year of the game? 

He has been around and I actually saw him running around practice today. In fact, his mentor is my team's coach and we will run a similar air raid offense. Considering the numbers that it put up at Texas Tech all those years it is surprisingly simple.

Will we see the "R" running down the field on coverage, or do you wear helmets they issue to you?

No, the Old English will be cruising in coverage, but it will have some company. Everybody has traded decals so everyone's helmet is plastered with colors. I tried to keep it somewhat organized and rest assured there's no UH's on mine. (there are a few Coogs here though...  and they are good guys)

 Ozougwu's effort against future top ten draft pick Russell Okung of Oklahoma State in 2009 (8 tackles) opened many eyes to his pro potential, including his own.

As he wraps up preparations for the 68^th East-West Shrine Bowl in Orlando on Saturday (3 pm central on the NFL Network),  Cheta Ozougwu answered a few questions for the R Blog recounting the series of events that have presented him with multiple opportunities to showcase his talents for NFL scouts.

I think you told me that you originally made the switch from basketball to football in high school because you were told it would offer you the chance to get a college scholarship?  At that time, would you have ever allowed yourself to think in terms of possibly getting drafted into the NFL?

Not at all, I definitely try to take the process step by step, day by day.

Was there a moment in time, during your Rice career, when the idea of playing on Sundays became a realistic possibility for you?

I have always been confident in my playing abilities.  However, I guess after matching up with the tackle from Oklahoma State last year (Russell Okung, taken sixth overall by Seattle last year in the Draft), and seeing him go as high as he did in the draft, just assured me that I can definitely play well against the best.

After the season was over, but before you received the invitation, what did you feel your chances of getting an invite were?

Well, I was pretty sure before the season I would get an invite after talking to many scouts, since my national scouting grade was pretty good.  However, you never know what can happen, especially with the way the season ended up, but things ended up working out.

Talk a little about how you found out about the invitation to the Combine, and what was your first reaction?

My agent told me that they should be giving the invites out late in December, so on New Year's Eve I randomly checked the website to see how the process works, and saw that all eligible prospects should receive a invitation via email on the 31st, so I checked my email and saw the invite.  I was pretty excited and started to thank God.  I know you don't need a combine invite to make it to the NFL, but it certainly helps.

How about your family, any memorable moments when you told them?

My entire family was ecstatic when I told them.  They have been praying for me through this entire process. I left the invitation email on my computer, and left the laptop in my sister's room.  When my sister came back from work, and walked into her room and read what was on the screen, she started screaming and praising God as well.

You battled through a tough season because of the nagging injuries, combined with the loss of Scott Solomon.  How tough was it to keep going, and do you think that the way you approached the challenge

helped get you the shot at the Combine?

Most definitely, situations like that only make you stronger.  There wasn't a moment where I thought about if I was going to get an invite to the Combine or any All Star games during the season. I was just focused on improving my technique every day and doing the best I could to help Rice win football games.

Have you talked to any of your former teammates (Jarett Dillard and James Casey) who have been through the combine experience? If so, did they give you any advice in terms of your preparation?

I have talked to James a few times and we text each other a lot. I called Jarett to get some insight on the East-West game, since he played in the same game a few years back. I also have talked with Andrew Sendejo a few times as well. They have all given me great advice about the draft/agent selection process and what to expect. James has been very supportive in the agent selection process and I decided to sign with the same agent that represents him. 

I know you said you were training in Florida.  What's your schedule like in the coming months?

I am training with Pete Bommarito in Miami. I came down on January 3rd.  I left for the East West Shrine game in Orlando on the 15th and will continue training in Miami as soon as the game is over with.  I plan on training in Miami until the Combine and then training in Houston until Rice's Pro Day in March.  I visited a few training facilities after the season was over but after talking to Pete and seeing the work that he has done in the past, and talking it over with Coach K and his staff, I decided that Pete's program was the best fit for me.  There are about 30 guys out here I'm training with from potential top 15 picks to low round guys, from Penn State to USC, it's a perfect blend of guys working hard and competing every day.

Obviously school was a top priority for you, how close are you to graduating?

I am still enrolled in school and will graduate in May this year. I only have six more hours to graduate and I am completing two independent research studies to fulfill my requirement.  Graduating is definitely a priority for me and I am on track to do so.

I think I remember you talking at some point this season about going to interviews and possibly having a job opportunity lined up.  Did you have something in case the Combine did not come up?

I was fortunate enough to receive a few job offers from some amazing Fortune 500 companies after completing some internship programs the past several summers... companies such as Aon, Merrill Lynch and Hitachi.   However, football is my focus right now.  

Last year Craig Manuel and Diego Seastrunk regaled Owls fans during baseball games with collection of off-the-wall factoids in a feature called "Catchers' Corner."  It might not have been the reason you came to Reckling, but along with a great game, you also picked up a fact such as grizzly bears hating wet ears,  or that your thumb is the same length as your nose to stump a friend or co-worker.

Diego has moved on to the professional ranks, but Craig Manuel is back and will team up with pitcher/infielder Abel Gonzales to provide more of the same in "Battery Banter,"  but our dynamic duo needs your help.   Each of you has your own stockpile of quirky facts, and here's your chance to share them.  Submit your facts until Tuesday, January 25^th at 10 PM to batterybanter@rice.edu. Then come out to a Rice Baseball game this season and see if your random fact makes the cut for this year's Battery Banter!

Head Coach David Bailiff joined Pat Fitzgerald of Northwestern on the stage of the Hiltlon Anatole Hotel in Dallas on Monday to receive the 2010 American Football Coaches Association Academic Achievement Award.