Obic Seagulls Win A Thriller In Overtime In Japan’s X League

The Obic Seagulls remain undefeated in Japan’s X League after pulling out a 24-23 overtime win against the IBM Big Blue Sunday at Fujitsu Stadium in a game that was ultimately decided by a bad snap.

With Obic holding a slim 24-23 lead in overtime, IBM’s kicker lined up to kick the extra point to tie the game, again. The ball sailed over his head and Obic pounced on it and began celebrating.

The miss flawed an otherwise thrilling football game which saw the lead change hands three times.

Obic quarterback Jerry Neuheisel completed 32 of 47 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns. Ryoma Hagiyama caught two touchdown passes, one in overtime while Daisuke Nishimura caught the third.

IBM quarterback Kevin Craft, who had suffered a shoulder injury in the spring, finally returned to action after the Big Blue had fallen behind 14-3 with rookie Yuki Masamoto behind center. Craft’s experience showed as he completed 15 of 20 passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns, the last one in overtime.

However, a bad snap spoiled the X League return of ex UCLA quarterback Craft.