PISCATAWAY, NJ – Senior defensive end Raheem Orr (Elizabeth, NJ), a First Team All-BIG EAST selection, will play in the upcoming Blue-Gray College Football All-Star Classic, to be held on December 25 at Movie Gallery Stadium in Troy, AL. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. and the game will be televised live on ESPN2.

Orr, who served as one of RU’s co-captains, enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2003. He finished second on the team in tackles with 82 (32 solo, 50 assisted), which led all BIG EAST defensive linemen. He also finished first in the league in tackles-for-loss (19.5) and was second in sacks (8.5). He ranked 14th nationally in TFLs and 31st nationally in sacks as well.

Orr, who was named the Scarlet Knights’ Most Valuable Player at the annual awards banquet on Dec. 7, had seven or more tackles in 8 of 12 games, including a season-high 10 vs. Virginia Tech on Oct. 4. He also had 3.0 TFLs and 2.5 sacks vs. the Hokies. Orr also led the team with 19 quarterback hurries and was named by The Sporting News as the BIG EAST’s “Littlest Known Pass Rusher”.

He is the 24th Rutgers player to compete in the Blue-Gray Classic, and the first since Mike McMahon captured Offensive MVP honors in 2000. Orr will arrive in Troy, AL, on December 18 and participate in a full week of practice, scouting sessions and seminars, culminating in the game on Dec. 25th. He is also one of four BIG EAST players scheduled to compete in the all-star classic.

Rutgers’ Blue-Gray Classic Participants

1939 - Bill Tranavitch
1947 - William Vigh
1952 - Russ Sandblom
1953 - Les Miller
1958 - Bill Austin
1969 - Richard Policastro
1975 - Tom Holmes
1976 - Nate Toran
1978 - Jim Hughes
1986 - Tyronne Stowe
1989 - Jeff Erickson
Pat Udovich
1990 - Scott Miller
1992 - Shawn Williams
1993 - Jay Bellamy
Chris Brantley
Malik Jackson (Defensive MVP)
1994 - Bob Sneathen
1995 - Robert Barr
Bruce Presley
1996 - Rashod Swinger
1999 - Wayne Hampton
2000 - Mike McMahon (Offensive MVP)