FSU QB Ponder keys South

Associated Press

MOBILE, ALA.

Christian Ponder heads to the pros on a high note, after all. And he got a little help from a college rival.

The Florida State quarterback threw two touchdown passes, including a clinching 23-yarder to TCU’s Jeremy Kerley in the South’s 24-10 Senior Bowl victory over the North on Saturday.

Ponder completed 7 of 13 passes for 132 yards, including several big ones to Leonard Hankerson of Miami, and the final TD with 3:04 left.

Ponder was looking for a happier transition to an NFL career after missing the ACC championship game with an elbow injury and most of the Seminoles’ bowl game thanks to a concussion. Ponder led scoring drives on the South’s first two possessions and put on the finishing touches after the North rallied from a 17-0 deficit.

“I thought I definitely ended on a good note and hopefully my draft status has gone up a little bit,” said Ponder, the game’s MVP.

Hankerson had 100 yards on five catches, including an 18-yard touchdown and a 48-yarder to set up another score — both from Ponder. He also caught a 14-yarder on the clinching drive, capped by Kerley’s second catch.

“It was a little double-move,” Ponder said. “[Kerley] was wide open, ran a great route.”

Washington quarterback Jake Locker, likely among the first passers drafted, led a touchdown drive but also had offensive linemen save him by falling on two fumbles for the North.