Japan: Panasonic Impulse stun Frontiers to capture first title in 9 years

The Panasonic Impulse finally broke the title game jinx defeating their championship game nemesis, the Fujitsu Frontiers, in the 78th Rice Bowl, 34-27 in front of packed crowd at the Tokyo Dome.

It was the first title for Panasonic in nine years and fifth overall.

This was the fourth straight meeting in the Rice Bowl between these two teams and behind a strong run game and solid defense, the Impulse finally prevailed after losing the previous three.

Fujitsu Frontiers RB Trashaun Nixon rushed for 94 yards and 1 TD ©xleague

Still, the Frontiers opened the scoring as quarterback Tsubasa Takagi marched his team down to the five yard line and then called his own number to give Fujitsu a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

The Impulse responded early in the second quarter. Quarterback Yuya Araki guided Panasonic from the 29 yard line down to the Fujitsu 20. The offense stalled and a missed field goal triggered a Frontiers penalty which earned the Impulse a new set of downs. Running back Genmei Tachikawa made no mistake, racing straight up the middle to score to tie the game at 7-7.

Panasonic RB Genmei Tachikawa had nine carries for 78 yards and the tying TD ©xleague

Three minutes later, Araki connected with wide receiver Risuke Kuwata for a 47 yard gain. Shintaro Saeki then booted a 32 yard field goal to give Panasonic a 10-7 lead midway through the second quarter.

The Frontiers answered on the next drive as Takagi marched Fujitsu down to the Panasonic 15 yard line and Koji Nasho kicked a 32 yard field goal to tie the game at 10-10 with just under three minutes left in the first half.

The Impulse wasted no time as running back Victor Jamal Mitchell battled through the front seven and then broke loose for a 44 yard gain down to the Frontiers 12 yard line. Then on a 4th and 8 with 40 seconds to go, Saeki kicked a 28 yard field goal to give Panasonic a 13-10 lead going into the break.

Fujitsu K Koji Nasho kicked 2 FGs ©xleague

Fujitsu tied the game up again late in the third quarter with Nasho booting a 27 yard field goal.

With two minutes left in the third quarter, the Fujitsu defense forced Araki to fumble at his own 35 yard line. Frontiers linebacker Hiroki Tokumo scooped up the ball and returned it to the 27. Three plays later Nixon burst off tackle and scored to put the Frontiers out in front 20-13.

Panasonic struck back on their next possession, as Tachikawa bolted straight up the middle and raced 55 yards down to the Frontiers 17 yard line. Three plays later, Araki called his own number and scored from five yards out to tie the game at 20-20.

At the 10 minute mark of the fourth, the Impulse then ran a flea flicker play to perfection with Araki finally tossing to running back Takuya Fujimoto who was finally stopped two yard shy of the end zone. Mitchell scored a leaping touchdown to give the Impulse the lead back, 27-20.

Panasonic LB Javory Williams scoring on a pick six late in the game ©xleague

The Impulse defense played a key role late in the game when linebacker Javory Williams picked off Takagi at the Frontiers 40 yard line and rumbled all the way to the end zone with just under four minutes to play to extend the lead to 34-20.

Fujitsu was not done yet. With a little over a minute remaining, Tagaki tossed a high ball into the deep left corner of the end zone and Grant made a spectacular leaping, one-handed catch to narrow the gap to 34-27.

The ensuing onside kick attempt was thwarted however by a penalty and the next attempt was recovered by Panasonic.

The decisive fourth quarter which the Impulse won 21-7 gave Panasonic the title for the first time since 2015.

Panasonic QB Yuya Araki Photo: ©xleague

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament trophy went to Panasonic quarterback Yuya Araki, who completed 14 of 22 passes for 184 yards and also added a rushing touchdown of his own.

Source: X-League