Players with Alabama football roots put their fingerprints all over the 74th annual Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile on Saturday. Malik Cunningham from Park Crossing ran for a touchdown and Jakorian Bennett from McGill-Toolen intercepted a pass for the Nationals and Jalen Wayne from Spanish Fort and South Alabama had eight receptions for the Americans.

The National team defeated the American team 27-10 at Hancock Whitney Stadium with Bennett putting the game on ice with an interception off Shepherd quarterback Tyson Bagent at the National 4-yard line with 42 seconds to play. Bennett had a 3-yard return before the National teammate came out for a kneel-down to end the game.

A Maryland cornerback, Bennett had closed his career with the Terrapins by ending North Carolina State’s final possession with an interception in a 16-12 victory in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Dec. 30.

“It’s crazy,” said Bennett, who also had four tackles on Saturday. “I ended my bowl game with a pick, and I ended the Senior Bowl with a pick. You can’t ask for nothing better.”

On Bennett’s interception, Bagent was targeting Wayne, who had eight receptions for 50 yards to top the American receivers.

“I never got to play Jakorian in high school because he was a lot younger than me,” Wayne said. “But going against him today was a lot of fun. We were able to challenge each other.”

Wayne played despite hurting his ankle during the Senior Bowl practices.

“My ankle hurts so bad right now,” Wayne said after the game. “But I just had to come out and play. I couldn’t be sitting on the sideline watching. …

“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.”

Unlike Wayne, at least 20 players who practiced during the week did not play in Saturday’s game. Among them was BYU quarterback Jaren Hall. That left the National team with two quarterbacks – Cunningham and Fresno State’s Jake Haener.

Haener used the extra work to win the game’s MVP Award, but Cunningham was the first quarterback to get a team into the end zone on Saturday.

The Louisville signal-caller led a 10-play, 75-yard drive that gave the Nationals a 14-3 lead with 1:54 left in the first half. Cunningham completed the series with a 1-yard touchdown run, although that came after he’d fumbled the snap and scooped up the loose ball before finding the end zone.

Cunningham then connected with Purdue cornerback Payne Durham on a 2-point conversion pass after the TD.

Cunningham completed 3-of-5 passes for 49 yards with no touchdowns and one interception and ran five times for 22 yards and one touchdown.

Virginia cornerback Anthony Johnson intercepted Cunningham and ran 37 yards for the American team’s only touchdown with 13:20 left to play.

Bennett, Cunningham and Wayne were among the 15 players from Alabama high schools and colleges who practiced this week for Saturday’s game. The others included:

· Troy offensive lineman Jake Andrews (Stanhope Elmore) played center and left guard for the National team. The Nationals had six offensive linemen available in the fourth quarter.

· Alabama defensive lineman DJ Dale (Clay-Chalkville) made two tackles and registered 1.5 tackles for loss while handling the nose-tackle duties for the American team for much of the game.

· Alabama offensive tackle Emil Ekiyor Jr. did not play for the American team. Ekiyor sustained an injury at practice on Thursday.

· Auburn defensive lineman Derick Hall did not play on Saturday.

· Alabama safety DeMarcco Hellams did not play on Saturday.

· Alabama tight end Cameron Latu caught three passes for 30 yards for the American team.

· Auburn linebacker Eku Leota made three tackles for the American team.

· South Alabama cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. made four tackles and broke up a pass in the end zone for the American team. “Great moment right there,” Luter said. “I had a little fade ball, and I had to contest that catch right there. … It was a great experience. Once again, being able to play on this field one more time. It was special.”

· Troy linebacker Carlton Martial (McGill-Toolen) could not play for the National team on Saturday because of a back injury. “I got close,” Martial said, “but the coaches said, ‘Hey, sit back, don’t push it if you know that there’s the possibility you could hurt something else out there. That kind of held me back, but it was a smart decision.”

· Appalachian State running back Camerun Peoples (Central-Clay County) had one rushing attempt, but it was a powerful 15-yard carry up the middle in the fourth quarter. He also caught two passes, but they netted minus-3 yards for the National team.

· Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Steen played for the American team, mainly manning left tackle.

· Alabama defensive lineman Byron Young made two tackles for the American team.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.