Champs in trouble? (1-2)

By Ryan Solis, PFL Correspondent.

The defending Champion Landor Knights have lost two games in a row. Was the week one defeat of the Tigers a fluke? Are they in trouble, with perhaps a championship hangover?  I guess only time will tell and it may be a little early to suggest an empire is falling down, but it is telling on the field. If there isn’t change soon, the Knights may be looking at giving up those repeat plans.

Here are three reasons to panic right now:

1. The Forwards are not blocking, injuries and inexperience are showing up front. QB Elijah Brooks has little time to let a play develop. He’s making plays with his legs as the the pocket frequently breaks down. He’s gonna get killed out there!
2. The defence is leaking yards and plays. The Bulldogs attack stayed on the field for over 70 plays (47 running) on Sunday,  meaning the Knights ‘D’ were also on the field for 70 plays. They have been stretched and are to this point, beaten down.
3. Everyone knows how they play. The Knights have been somewhat predictable this season, if the defence knows what they do, they are going to try and shut that down.

And here are three reasons to be optimistic:

1. They have time on their side. There are another fifteen games to go- and two rest weeks. Plenty of time to iron out any wrinkles and get players healthy.
2. Receiving core- there’s too many players to cover. Even when shutting down most of the Knights’ attack, Shyrone Rogers came up with 10 grabs for 243 yards!
3. They don’t have to play the Stars or Bulldogs again this season, barring the playoffs. Two losses on the road are not the end of the world. They can still win lots of games, especially the 8 remaining home games.

 

 

 

UFB: Champions Bowl this Saturday!

RAMS vs ‘ROCKS | NUSA National Championship
Champions Bowl | Sat. January 7th 2017 | USN | 8pm ECT

The Number three ranked University of Stamford Rams go up against the (now favourites) Number five(!) ranked O’Connell Shamrocks. How those seedings appeared to deceive, when it came to playing the games in the NUSA Tournament.

Two seniors may have a big say in the contest, with the Rams’ QB Dre Nalen and enigmatic Shamrocks’ DE Vin Marshall both playing their last games at University. Both are expected to be early picks in the PFL Draft 2017.

Who wants it more? Not too long to find out now!

 

UFB: Boxing Day Bowls Rundown

First-Class Football Bowl Games | NUSA | University Football

The NUSA Uni-Ball season is almost over. Everyone played their eleven games by the beginning of December. Following the post-season tournament, the Bowl season began a in the days prior to Christmas. One of the highlights of the NUSA FCF Bowl Season is the set of three Boxing Day (26th December) Bowl games.

Next up is the New Year’s Eve Classics (Honey and Sweet Bowls) and then the New Year’s Three (Apple, Cherry and Champions Bowls)

The Boxing Day Classics:

   TOMATO BOWL-

Mannestrom Miners 20-24 Gayle Gryphons

The Gryphons got a well earned win against Mannestrom, thanks to a great performance by winger Terry Watson’s two second-half majors. Mannestrom RB Curtis Udebeye ran for 119 yards and one touchdown, but the anemic passing game was their undoing.

   CAPITAL BOWL-

Granada Bulldogs 34-21 Amorgan Irish

The Granada Bulldogs lit up the Capital Bowl with a great first-half performance that knocked the wind out of the Irish. RB Scott Givens scored twice and winger Ellis Jones also got two. The only blight on the copybook was a missed extra point. The Bulldogs won’t really care after this dominating performance.

   SAN ANDREAS BEACH BOWL

Eregonia Dragons 38-19 Ballymore Beavers

Ballymore’s return to a Boxing Day Bowl didn’t go very well. The Dragons dominated from the kick-off. The Dragons are scary-fast on defence and almost as quick on the attack.

Week 15 Talking Points

Fifteen weeks down, five to go! Everyone now has five games in five weeks to book their place in the play offs… unless, of course you are the Panthers, Blues, Hawks, Cardinals, Eagles and Oilers.

Here are the top notables from week 15:

UFB: Semi-Final Shockers

For those who were thinking the NUSA Champions Bowl on January 7th would be a shoo-in for the Olaskas Crimson Glory and Ohara Scarlets, think again!

The NUSA Semi-Finals produced two very intriguing matchups. Olaskas could not deal with the pace up-front of the Shamrocks’ defence. Ohara could not make the big play when they really needed it.

PFL GOTW- Giants at Bulldogs

PFL Game of the Week

   MELBORG GIANTS  31

   CALIGARA BULLDOGS 24

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	ET	FT
MELBORG	14	7	7	3	–	31
CALIGARA	10	7	7	0	–	24

Summary:
The Melborg Giants won a thrilling contest in Caligara on Sunday. The Giants’ mean defence shut down both the Caligara run game and the Slater-to-Slater passing connection. Alternate winger Dennis Morales had 9 catches for 144 yards, including a 76 yard catch and run.

The Giants ran a simple and effective gameplan aginst the Bulldogs, running quick straight-ahead plays and quick passes. The Bulldogs had two opportunities to draw level in the fourth quarter, but both fourth downs resulted in incomplete passes- one to which brought a huge reaction from the home fans who insisted there was a defensive hold on the play.

Scoring:
1st Quarter:
MEL Hand 10 pass to Miller (Williams Kick)
CAL Wright 39 FG
MEL Beckett 98 yard kick return (Williams Kick)
CAL Slater 76 pass to Morales (Wright Kick)
2nd Quarter:
MEL Higgins 10 run (Williams Kick)
CAL Slater 5 pass to Slater (Wright Kick)
3rd Quarter:
MEL (Williams Kick)
CAL Slater 9 pass to Morales (Wright Kick)
4th Quarter:
MEL Williams 31 FG

Stats:

	Giants	Bulldogs
First Downs	22	18
Third Down Converts	6/13	6/15
Third Down %	46.2 %	40 %
Fourth Down Converts	0/0	0/2
Fourth Down %	0 %	0 %
Double Pointers	0/0	0/0
Double Point %	0 %	0 %
Run Plays	32	31
Run Yards	97	64
Run Average	3.0	2.1
Passing	20/28	20/34
Net Pass Yards	244	299
Touchdown Passes	2	3
TOTAL YARDS	341	363
Defensive Marks	1	0
Defensive INTs	0	0
Punts	5	6
Punting Average	45.4	38.3
Field Goals	1/2	1/2
Field Goal %	50 %	50 %
Fumbles	1	1
Fumbles Lost	0	0
Penalties	3	5
Penalty Yards	15	42
Turnovers	0	0
Handovers	0	2
Possession (Time)	29:42	31:38

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