Japan: Nojima Sagamihara Rise and Tokyo Gas Creators battle to a draw
The Nojima Sagamihara Rise held a 24-21 lead over the Tokyo Gas Creators with 12 seconds left in the X-League game held at Fujitsu Stadium Kawasaki, but Tokyo Gas kicker Kanta Takahashi nailed a 22 yard field goal to give his team a crucial tie.
The result leaves both teams tied in the overall standings with 2-1-1 records.
With the game deadlocked at 14-14 after the first half, Tokyo Gas quarterback Jerod Evans came out in the third quarter on a roll, throwing his third touchdown pass of the game, finding wide receiver Hiroki Osaka from 20 yards out.
Nojima Sagamihara Rise QB Kurt Palandech looking downfield. Photo: @xleague
Rise quarterback Kurt Palandech responded, marching his team into field goal range and kicker Taiki Sato made good, booting a 30 yarder to narrow the lead to 21-17 midway through the third period.
Palandech then orchestrated another scoring drive with just over six minutes remaining in the game, finding wide receiver Junpei Gimoto in the corner of the end zone from nine yards out for the go-ahead touchdown, giving his team a 24-21 lead.
Tokyo Gas K Kanta Takahashi kicks a 22-yard FG to tie the game with 12 seconds left Photo: @xleague
That was enough time for Evans, who maneuvered Tokyo Gas to the 50 yard line and then converted a daring fourth down gamble with 50 seconds left in the game into a first down at the eight after hitting Osaka for a 42 yard gain.
The Rise defense rose up however preventing Evans & Co from finding the end zone leaving it to Takahashi who made no mistake.
Read original X-League article here.
