The National team turned in one of the more decisive performances in recent Reese’s Senior Bowl history, dominating the American team 27-10 on a beautiful day at Mobile’s Hancock Whitney Stadium.

Jake Haener of Fresno State threw for 139 yards and a touchdown and the National team ran for 182 yards as part of a 370-yard performance. The National defense held the Americans to just 40 yards rushing and without an offensive touchdown, with the only TD coming on an interception return.

“We should have scored on the first drive, but it was good,” said Haener, a Washington transfer who cut short a phone call with Huskies offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to take questions at the post-game press conference. “Going out there for my last college game, having some fun, wearing my Bulldog helmet for the last time and wrapping up a good week with the guys.”

RELATED: Senior Bowl 2023: 10 players who made big impressions this week

Maryland kicker Chad Ryland accounted for 12 of the National team’s points on field goals of 32, 37, 41 and 42 yards. Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham ran 1 yard late in the second quarter for the National team’s first touchdown, while Haener hit Stanford’s Michael Wilson on a 44-yard score in the fourth quarter.

The American team got on the board on a 35-yard field goal by Georgia’s Jack Podlesny in the second quarter, and trailed 14-3 at the half. After Ryland’s last two field goals put the National team on top 20-3 after three, the Americans finally got into the end zone early in the fourth when Virginia’s Anthony Johnson picked off Cunningham and returned the football 37 yards for a touchdown.

Johnson wore No. 3 at Virginia, but switched to 15 for the Senior Bowl in tribute to teammate Devin Chandler, one of three Cavaliers players who were murdered by a fellow student in November. Chandler, a wide receiver, was killed along with D’Sean Perry and Lavel Davis Jr. in an incident that also wounded teammate Mike Hollins.

“It means a lot to me,” Johnson said. “My teammate was killed in November, and this is my first time playing football since that happened. To make that play in this jersey just means so much to me. And I know it means a lot to my university and my family as well.”

The National team led 6-0 after one quarter on the first two field goals by Chad Ryland, who was 4-for-5 in the game. The other three possessions — including both by the American team — ended in punts.

After Podlesny’s field goal cut it to 6-3, Cunningham entered the game and led a 9-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. He hit tight end Payne Durham for 16 yards to the 1-yard line, then kept for six on the next play.

RELATED: How did the state’s players perform in the Reese’s Senior Bowl?

Cunningham was not the intended ballcarrier on the touchdown, however, but fumbled the snap before picking it up and powering his way into the end zone. He then hit Durham for two points and a 14-3 lead with 1:54 left in the half.

The National defense then forced a punt, and Cunningham got his team back into possession for Ryland’s third field goal — a 41-yarder — for a 17-3 halftime lead. Cunningham was 2-for-2 for 31 yards and also ran for seven yards on the 42-second drive.

Cunningham, a Park Crossing High School graduate, ended the day 3-for-5 for 49 yards and also ran for 22 yards on five carries. But he did not re-enter the game after Johnson’s pick-six pulled the American team within 20-10.

The American team — which included players from Alabama, Auburn, South Alabama and most of the SEC teams — turned the ball over on downs at their 44 with 4:18 to play, and Haener took to the air for the final score of the day. He launched the ball to a lunging Michael Wilson of Stanford for a 44-yard score with 4:08 left.

Haener finished the day 12-for-19 passing, with Wilson catching four passes for 76 yards. The National team was left with only two quarterbacks — Haener and Cunningham — after BYU’s Jaren Hall bolted on Friday.

“It gave me more plays,” Haener said. “I wasn’t expecting it. It was a thing that Jaren decided to do; I totally get it. … I was expecting three of us to go, but we had to adjust and do some things on the fly, and we were able to do that and get the win.”

The American team tried one last time to get into the end zone, driving to the 12-yard line in the final minute. Quarterback Tyson Bagent of Shepherd University threw toward South Alabama’s Jalen Wayne, but Maryland cornerback Jakorian Bennett — a Mobile native who played his high school ball at McGill-Toolen — stepped in front of the pass for a punctuation mark interception.

Evan Hull of Northwestern led all ballcarriers with 74 yards on 10 carries for the National team, while Illinois’ Chase Brown added 40 yards on nine attempts. Kentucky’s Chris Rodriguez was the American team’s leading rusher with 27 yards on six carries.

Bagent led the American team with 138 yards on 17-for-22 passing, while Houston’s Clayton Tune went 9-for-12 for 70 yards. TCU’s Max Duggan was 4-for-9 for 26 yards.

Cincinnati linebacker Ivan Pace of the National team led all tacklers with 10 stops. Wayne, the former Spanish Fort star, led all receivers with eight catches for 50 yards, for the American team.

“I think I got more catches than I ever did when I was in a South jersey, so it was a lot of fun,” Wayne said. “It was definitely a great opportunity. I’m humble and grateful for it. I just had a lot of fun going against these great guys and great competition.”

The National team has now won all three Senior Bowls since a format switch from “North vs. South” to “National vs. American.” The National team won 27-24 in 2021 and 20-10 in 2022.

A number of high-profile players did play not in Saturday’s game due to injury or other unspecified reasons, including Alabama offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor and safety DeMarco Hellams, Auburn defensive end Derick Hall, Troy linebacker Carlton Martial, Houston wide receiver Tank Dell and Ohio State offensive lineman Dawand Jones.