University of Connecticut Athletics
Branch and Thomas Selected to Play in Hula Bowl
12/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
STORRS, CONN. (Dec. 8, 2007) - University of Connecticut cornerback Tyvon Branch and offensive guard Donald Thomas have both been selected to participate in the 2008 Hula Bowl. The 62nd edition of the prestigious senior all-star game will be held on Jan. 12 at 6:00 p.m. EST at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Branch was named second-team All-BIG EAST on Wednesday. He comfortably led the BIG EAST in kickoff returns this year with a 28.0 yard average. He returned two kickoffs for a touchdown, both of them from 97 yards out, becoming the first Husky to ever have two kickoff return touchdowns in the same season. His two kickoff return touchdowns this year also tie the BIG EAST seasonal record which has now been done seven times. More than just a return specialist, Branch started all 12 games in the UConn secondary and made 79 tackles on the year.
A first-team All-BIG EAST selection, Thomas started all 12 games at right guard and did not allow a sack in 2007. After befriending Danny Lansanah on the campus' rec basketball courts, Thomas joined the team as a walk-on during his sophomore year and later earned both a scholarship and starting role through hard work and is now considered an NFL prospect.
The Huskies finished 9-3 overall on the year and 5-2 in BIG EAST play, sharing the league championship with West Virginia. UConn will represent the league on Dec. 29 in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, N.C. against ACC entry Wake Forest. Ticket and travel information is available at .
