Kingsville, Texas --- Minnesota State senior defensive back Kelvin Rodgers participated in the 2009 Valero Cactus Bowl hosted by Texas A&M-Kingsville Saturday evening and helped the West squad to a 16-0 victory over the East.

He finished the game with two tackles and two pass break-ups.  Rodgers did not get an opportunity to return a kick in the victory.

Played in an East/West format, the teams are comprised entirely of the 'best of the best' NCAA Division II college seniors. The Cactus Bowl Committee, comprised completely of volunteers, is responsible for all aspects of organization for the contest and net profits from the Cactus Bowl are donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.  The Al Amin Temple of Corpus Christi will be involved in the Cactus Bowl pre-game preparation and game-day operations.  The game featured 80 Division II players from all over America.

Rodgers – an East St. Louis, Ill., native – finished the 2009 season at Minnesota State with 51 tackles, which was the sixth-highest total on the team.  He was a First-Team All-NSIC South Division selection for his play as a defensive back.

As a kick and punt returner Rodgers – who owns the school record for kick returns (88), kick return yards (2,255), punt return yards (770) and is tied for the record in punt returns (61), finished the campaign with 29 kick returns for 691 yards and a touchdown.  He also returned 21 punts for 246 yards and finished the season with 1,091 all purpose yards.  Rodgers was named the NSIC South Division Return Specialist of the Year this past season.

In 2008 earned All-American honors by the Football Gazette and D2football.com.  This past year, Rodgers was named a First-Team All-Region pick by Daktronics.

Minnesota State finished the 2009 season with a 10-2 record.