Is the rest of the world catching up on American football?

Tick. Tick. Tick.

That's the sound of the rest of the world gaining on the United States. Fortunately, we're just talking the game of football. American football.

That fact became readily apparent Wednesday night as a group of players from 20 different countries knocked off the U.S. Under-19 National Team 35-29 in the third annual International Bowl in Austin Texas.

The World team had never even led in the previous two games, but it took advantage of generally sloppy U.S. play to take a 28-9 halftime lead late in the third quarter and then held on for a rather historic victory.

Team USA rushed for minus-2 yards (12 carries) to 178 for the World Team on 41 carries. The World held an edge in yards (404-254), first downs (21-10) and time of possession (32:29 to 23:15).

It should be noted the World team players are generally older. Many are 19 and actually played in one of these games before. But the 44 USA seniors and one junior have surely more more experienced.

The loss served as a slice of humble pie for USA, which made a gallant comeback only to fall short.

"They are getting better," U.S. head coach Steve Specht (Cincinnati St. Xavier H.S.) said. "Coach (Chris) Merritt (Miami Columbus H.S.) and I were talking about it, and it comes to a point where we have to realize and our kids have to realize they are getting better year after year. They are studying the game, and you can't just show up because you've got a lot of talent. You still have to play the game."

Anthony Coombs was awarded the World Team MVP for rushing for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Will Finch was 10-for-14 for 169 yards.

"We've been working so hard all this all week, and it paid off with the victory," he said. People don't think anyone can play outside of the United States. This is going to make the U.S. take this event more seriously, and it's going to inspire tons of little kids around the world. It feels great that we did this."

They almost did it last year. The U.S. pulled out a 21-14 but it wasn't easy.

Greg Marshall, who has been the World coach all three seasons, said he was numb after the victory.

"I'm just so proud of our coaches and our players. We had one week to come together and execute. We knew we put in a complicated game plan, because we knew we weren't going to beat them playing straight up. It was a great team effort."

Team USA made a gallant fourth-quarter comeback. Florida State-bound Sean Macguire (5-10-80) fired a 26-yard touchdown pass to Temple-bound Romond DeLoatch.

Arizona-bound Javelle Allen (5-5-70) threw a 12-yard scoring strike to Ohio State-bound Frank Epitropolous (3-98). And Stanford-bound Noor Davis had a strip that led to a safety.

They earlier had an 11-yard touchdown catch by Michigan-bound Devin Funchess (4-56).

It all came a little short. Didn't matter said Specht.

"What a great experience," he said. "The kids battled until the very end. The bottom line is you can't wait until late in the game to say, ‘Hey this is for real.' "

Part of USA's complacency may have been because of a National Signing Day breakfast ceremony earlier in the day. Forty-five U.S. players signed letters of intent and only seven did from the World team.

Among the the U.S. team players were Top 100 recruits including Texas-bound defensive tackle Malcom Brown (No. 33, Brenham HS, Texas), Georgia-bound running back Todd Gurley (No. 36, Tarboro HS, N.C.), Iowa-bound running back Greg Garmon (No. 54, McDowell HS, Erie, Pa.), Ohio State-bound defensive tackle Sevon Pittman (No. 66, McKinley HS, Canton, Ohio), Stanford-bound linebacker Davis (No. 72, Leesburg HS, Fla.) and Cal-bound offensive tackle Freddie Tagaloa (No. 94, Salesian HS, Richmond, Calif.).

That obviously didn't intimidated the World team.