OT: Gardner & Gallon connect in Japan (Game 1)

Submitted by Carcajou on

Devin Gardner and Jeremy Gallon, playing for the Nojima Rise, lost their opener in X-League Division 1 action on Sunday 14-13 to the Obic Seagulls in Kawasaki, Japan.

The ex-Michigan Wolverine teammates connected 10 times for 87 yards in the game including the first touchdown, which came on a quick slant late in the first half. On the play previous, Gardner was penalized 5 yards for throwing from beyond the LOS; he'd rolled out from the 4, and as he eluded DE Kevin Jackson and was met by other Seagull defenders, he lobbed the ball over their head to Gallon waiting 5 yards deep in the end zone. Obviously disappointed, Gardner could be heard protesting, "No. No! No! No!" loudly to no avail, as there is no instant reply in Japanese American football, and at such times Japanese officials are disinclined to remember whatever English they may have learned. Nojima went into halftime leading 7-0.

Midway through the drizzly 4th quarter on a QB draw Gardner leapt and tretched out, was spun 270 degrees, yet scored the TD to take 13-7 lead. However the extra point was missed.

Obic's Jerry Neuheisal (yes, of THAT Neuheisal lineage), brought the Seagulls back to score and made it 14-13 with 3:26 left.

One eery reminder of things past occured on Nojima's next and last possession: on 2nd & long with Gardner running for his life, as he was being taken down, he tossed the ball to the side and slightly backwards. Obic was not able to recover the ball however. Gardner was hurt on the next play as he tried to scramble for the first down but was stopped a three yards short. His replacement also tried to run for the first down and was also stopped short.

Gardner finished the day 21-37-1-1 and 290 yards passing and 25 yards rushing, including the first 1st down of the game. Neuheisal was 13-19 and 172 yards passing with two TDs and no interceptions for Obic.

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Jeremy Gallon
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Carcajou

August 30th, 2016 at 7:19 AM ^

No connection to the Vince McMahon XFL carnival. Japan X-League predates that, actually.

It's American football, playing by NCAA rules. They take it pretty seriously.

There are three divisions of the X-League adult league (it's the most well funded, but there are a couple of other adult leagues as well). There are playoffs and relegation/promotion games at the end of the season.

Joined: 02/26/2009

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Rasmus

August 30th, 2016 at 8:22 AM ^

Exploits of former Michigan players are not OT. This isn't specifically in the Board FAQ but historically it is okay and I'm pretty sure I remember Brian et al. stating it is on-topic. It's not a grey area. Just use good judgment in terms of the frequency of your updates and you'll be fine, with only one or two dumbasses complaining when you post them. I think there were people who complained about a thread celebrating Denard's first NFL touchdown or some such a few years ago!

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UMQuadz05

August 30th, 2016 at 10:04 AM ^

Some frantic googling has brought me this- the X league is legit, probably the 3rd best pro league after the NFL and CFL. Players are actually employees of the team's sponsor/owner(?!). I haven't sound specific info on salaries but there are a few intros with Americans over there saying the pay is "pretty good".



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CGordini

August 30th, 2016 at 11:10 AM ^

Do you happen to have video/gif from aforementioned pass/connection?

Or even game highlights? I meant to start watching just for Gardner and Gallon.

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Dustin

August 30th, 2016 at 9:03 PM ^

I will be traveling to Japan for the middle two weeks of October.  Any tips for a Michigan fan with an interested in seeing the Nojima Rise, Carcajou?  I plan to be available the weekends of the 15th and 22nd.

Joined: 08/09/2014

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Carcajou

August 31st, 2016 at 2:02 AM ^

They'll be playing on 10/9 in Kawasaki (between Tokyo and Yokohama) @ 2PM versus Asahi Beer;
and 10/16 at Kinchou Stadium near Osaka against the defending champion Panasonic Impulse (3 PM kickoff);
They have a bye the next week (10/22 and 23).
(Games are generally a week and a half to two weeks apart, on a Saturday, Sunday, or National Holiday).

There are sure to be a contingent of Michigan fans at Kawasaki; possibly down in Osaka, as well.

Generally:

  • Tickets are usually around $10-15 for general admission.
     
  • You will probably be given directions and go there by train. I don't know your itinerary, but the one or two week JR Rail Pass (which must be purchased outside Japan), usually ends up being a good value when you compare it to what residents must pay if you are going more than one or two places. They allow you to use all but the fastest of the bullet trains, so a week pass is about the same price as a Tokyo-Osaka round trip fare.
     
  • Osaka is near Kyoto. In that area they are more into football than the Tokyo area- the best college teams and players are generally from around there.
     
  • Be aware that "American football" or "Ame-Futo" is very much a niche sport in Japan. A number of people you ask directions, etc. may have little idea what you are talking about.
     
  • Near the gate there will likely be tables handing out rosters and team programs and maybe small cheering devices, though most will be in Japanese.
     
  • Food and drink menu items are more limited, but prices are reasonable. Being non-American, they are normally much less uptight about drinking, or bringing in alcohol, or drinking it outside the venue, though tailgating seems to have yet to catch on.
     
  • You will probably want to sit on the Nojima side, but people are unlikely to give you any trouble. Columbus, it is not.
     
  • People around you in the stands will usually be pretty friendly. Sharing food and snacks is always nice and well-received and they will probably over-reciprocate.
     
  • Though the level of play is closer to lower division college football, the atmosphere reminds me more of high school games. Don't expect marching bands or hi-tech halftime displays- mostly just hardworking cheer/dance squads and bursts of rawk music.
     
  • Not usually much in the way of scoreboards with video replay, so you'll have to pay attention. Binoculars can't hurt, but the stadiums are not so big.
     
  • Fans often have a chance to mingle with players afterwards for quick pictures, etc.

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