MOBILE, Ala. — Pat White had a message for all those experts who think the West Virginia quarterback might make a better receiver in the NFL: Not so fast.

A local hero from Daphne, just outside Mobile, White led two scoring drives and passed for 95 yards as the South defeated the North, 35-18, yesterday in the Senior Bowl, a showcase for many of college football's top prospects.

"I'm just happy I had the opportunity. This was a great coaching staff that taught me a lot in a week," White said. "I'm looking forward to keeping working, trying to get better."

Former University of Hawai'i players Jake Ingram (long snapper) and David Veikune (defensive end) played for the South.

The most prolific running quarterback in major college football history, White stood out among a group of high profile signal callers and was the most valuable player of the game that featured many top NFL prospects.

If there were doubts about the strength of White's arm, he tried to erase them in the third quarter when he stretched the South's lead with an impressive 39-yard scoring toss to Mississippi's Mike Wallace.

"I just wanted to give him a chance to catch the ball," White said. "He told me any time he had a go route, throw it out there and he was going to go get it. That's what he did."

Alabama's John Parker Wilson also played well, completing 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards and scoring on a 4-yard run in the first quarter.

Wilson was named offensive player of the game, while Robert Ayers of Tennessee was named the game's outstanding defensive player.

The South was coached by Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio and his staff. Del Rio said he was impressed by his squad.

"We had a good week of practice, the guys really worked hard and had fun. We got after it pretty good, especially early in the week, came out tonight and kind of let it all out and had a good time competing," Del Rio said.

Even though it was just an all-star game, Del Rio said the win felt good.

"I like winning — winning at anything," he said.

The South led 21-10 at halftime and stretched it to 28-10 with White's scoring pass midway through the third quarter.

The North narrowed the lead to 28-18 early in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run by Eric Kettani of Navy and a 2-point conversion run by Oregon's Jeremiah Johnson. But any hopes of getting closer were dashed with 8:47 to play when All-America defensive tackle Peria Jerry of Mississippi fell on a fumble in the North end zone for the final South score.