Benedict College standout defensive back / return specialist DeQuan Starling has been invited to play in Third Annual HBCU All-Star Bowl football game.

The Third Annual HBCU All-Star Bowl is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 18 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. The HBCU Bowl is the nation's only post-season football game that showcases the top FCS and Division II HBCU football talent.

Starling, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior from Hawkinsville, Ga., was seventh on the Tigers team with 30 total tackles. He also had two interceptions, returning each back 50 yards. He also had two forced fumbles and led the team with 10 pass breakups. His led the SIAC with 1.5 pass breakups per game, which was ninth-best in NCAA Division II.

Starling was also a potent threat as a return specialist. He had six punt returns for 88 yards, including a long return of 61 yards. He had 10 kickoff returns for 238 yards, averaging 23.8 yards per return, third best in the SIAC.

Other SIAC players selected to play in the bowl game include Jamarkus Gaskins, Rashad McRae, Antorio Wells and Stanley Jennings from Albany State University; DeMario Pippen and Wayne Williams of Tuskegee University; Ricky Johnson, Tony Davis, Demario Barber, Marquette King, Courtney Daniels and Bobby Young of Fort Valley State University; Darrius Williams, Jarvis Canty, Derrick Hector and Chigbo Annunoby of Morehouse College; Hardcourt Farquharson, Kiece Crite and Darel Strong of Clark Atlanta University; Kyle Hurt of Lane College; and Jarrel Noland and Jesse Mitchell of Kentucky State University.

For the first time in the game's history, professional coaching staffs will take the sidelines to lead the all-star bowl teams. Canadian League coaches Chris Jones, defensive coordinator and assistant director of player personnel/football operations for the Calgary Stampeders, will coach the West Team, while Montreal Alouettes' defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Tim Tibesar will lead the East Team.

Bowl week kicks off with a one day official combine administered by National Football Scouting of Indianapolis, Ind. on December 13, 2011 and continues throughout the week. In addition to the combine, the bowl week schedule includes practices and player interviews with NFL, CFL, UFL and Arena Football teams. The week also includes community visits by the players, a life skills session, financial adviser seminar and a weekend of entertainment and events.

The game will be broadcast live on the Classic Sports Radio Network, with the pregame show starting at 2:30 p.m., and online at www.classicsportsradio.com. Donal Ware will handle play-by-play duties, while Eric Curry will handle color analyst duties.

General admission tickets for the game are $20 at the gate. Fans may also visit www.ticketmastercom to purchase tickets. A portion of the proceeds from the game will benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

For more information about the all-star game, visit http://www.hbcubowl.com.