Japan’s X League offered up perhaps the most exciting game in the world last weekend (apologies to the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks) as the Panasonic Impulse downed the Lixil Deers 33-31 on a last second field goal after the Deers had rallied from a 30-3 halftime deficit.
The Lixil Deers scored 28 consecutive second half points and had grasped a 31-30 lead with :52 seconds remaining before Panasonic kicker Eita Saeki kicked a 38 yard field goal has time expired to win the game.
Panasonic quarterback Tetsuo Takata threw two touchdown passes and running back Shun Yokota rushed for two as Panasonic took a huge first half lead. But Lixil, known for an ability to rally, began cutting into the seemingly insurmountable lead with Yashuhiro Maruta’s third quarter one yard touchdown run.
Lixil wide receiver Yasushi Nakagawa catches a 36-yard pass to set up the last of the Deers’ three touchdowns over a 3:25 span late in the fourth quarter.
But Takata finally got the Panasonic offense into gear marching them 47 yards in six plays in less than a minute to set up the winning field goal by Saeki.
The win gave the Impulse a key victory over a Deers team who is a key rival and solidified Panasonic as a contender to defend their Japanese championship title as the playoffs get underway in Japan.
Watch the highlights here.
