Two days before the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, cornerback Justin King wasted no time in declaring his lone goal for the game.

"On the punt returns, make something happen," he said.

Well, he got close enough during Saturday's game in San Antonio.

It wasn't a punt return, but it was a return -- of the opening kickoff in the second half -- on which he found a seam, aimed full speed ahead and ran for 46 yards and into his opponent's territory.

King started at right cornerback for the East team, as one of 78 high school superstars selected to compete in the East-West all-star clash, but it was his speedy return that gave Penn State fans exactly what they have been looking for from one of their star recruits.

The ineffective offense of the East, however, was unable to take advantage of the advantageous field position King provided, going three-and-out on a series that told the story of the East's 35-3 loss to the West.

Unable to score after a field goal in the opening minutes of the game, the East could not shut down the West's potent pass attack, led by quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Ryan Perrilloux, the Ball Park National High School Player of the Year.

But though the West had success in the air, it was hardly the fault of King, who played the part of cover corner and rarely had any balls thrown his way by West quarterbacks.

King did give up a jump ball to receiver DeSean Jackson, as both went up at the same time and Jackson was able to wrestle the ball away. However, it was the only noticeable mistake King made, and Jackson was later named the game MVP after pulling in seven receptions for 141 yards and throwing a 45-yard touchdown pass.

Both defenses were limited in their schemes, as the All-American Bowl had three prohibitive rules: the base defense had to be 4-3, blitzing was not permitted and coverage was required to be man-to-man on third and fourth downs. The quarterbacks were thus given plenty of time in the pocket, accounting for the West's success in the air.

King, who graduated a semester early from Gateway High School in the fall and enrolled at Penn State for the spring semester, will start classes today after missing the first week due to the week of preparations for the bowl in Texas.

Other early enrollees include Rivals.com top-ranked recruit Derrick Williams, Jordan Norwood, and Kevin Suhey, who are King's three roommates, as well as Quebec's Francis Claude.