American walked away with a 17-9 win over National on the back of a two-turnover performance from its defense on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. Garrett Nussmeier — the 2026 Senior Bowl MVP — scored a touchdown on American’s first drive and finished with 57 yards passing in the win.

The Senior Bowl game can be a launching point toward stardom. While the week's practices tend to hold more weight throughout the evaluation process, the actual all-star contest is the last opportunity for college football's best talent to make a positive on-field impression prior to the the upcoming NFL draft.

The American team’s first-half output was enough to provide a 17-9 victory in the Panini Senior Bowl on Saturday. The Americans held a 17-0 halftime lead but gained only 41 yards in the second half as their possessions ended with three punts and a fumble.

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier led a pair of touchdown drives, including a keeper for a score, as the American team beat the National team 17-9 on Saturday in the Senior Bowl. Nussmeier led a 12-play,

Diego Pavia's National offense didn't score a touchdown in the Senior Bowl, but the quarterback fared well in his outing.

In its 17-9 victory over the National team in the Panini Senior Bowl on Saturday, the American squad got five tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception and its longest reception from players with Alabama football roots.

It was a cold, windy day down in Mobile, Alabama for the 2026 Senior Bowl. After a long week of practices, interviews, and fanfare, it was finally time to play some football. Here are the major takeaways from the game.