MOBILE, AL -- University of Delaware senior quarterback Joe Flacco has decided to forego the East-West Shrine All-Star Game to take part in next week’s Under Armour Senior Bowl.

Flacco (at right), a senior from Audubon, NJ (Audubon High School), had originally agreed to play in the Shrine Game to be played this Saturday in Houston, but received an invitation to take part in the 59th annual Senior Bowl, which will be played Saturday, Jan. 26 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium at 4 p.m. (EST). The game, as well as the week’s festivities, will be televised live on the NFL Network.

The game, which includes some of the nation’s top senior players, is considered the premier college football all-star game. Flacco will play for the North team and will be joined by fellow quarterbacks Chad Henne of Michigan and John David Booty of USC. Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin and his staff will lead the North team. Complete rosters will be announced this Sunday.

Flacco, who earned All-American honors in leading the Blue Hens to the NCAA national championship football game last month, becomes the third player in UD history to be selected for the game, joining defensive tackle Dennis Johnson in 1973 and tight end Ben Patrick last season.

The 6-6, 230 lb. Flacco enjoyed an outstanding senior season for the Blue Hens, leading the team to an 11-4 record and a berth in the NCAA Division I FCS national championship game while earning Colonial Athletic Association Co-Offensive Player of the Year, Eastern College Athletic Conference Eastern Player of the Year, and third team The Sports Network All-American honors.

He completed 331 of 521 passes for 4,263 yards and 23 touchdowns with just five interceptions during the 2007 season as he ranked No. 6 in the nation in passing yardage per game (284.2), No. 10 in total offense per game (285.7), and No. 18 in passing efficiency (144.91).

A two-year starter after transferring from the University of Pittsburgh, he posted a record of 16-10 as a starter and established 20 University of Delaware records, including season marks for completions, attempts, passing yards, and total offense and a career mark for completions. In 26 career games, he threw for over 200 yards 21 times and for over 300 yards 11 times, including a career-best 434 yards in a 59-52 win over Navy in October.