UNAM Pumas CU defeat Europe Warriors in historic International Bowl II

The UNAM Pumas CU from Mexico City  defeated the Europe Warriors in International University Bowl II 35-32 Saturday in front of a crowd of 16,000 fans at the University Olympic Stadium in Mexico City.

The Europe Warriors, with a 13 nation roster of 42 players who have been playing on teams from Europe, was formed by head coach Jesus Sanchez specifically for this historic occasion. They were facing a UNAM Pumas CU squad from one of the top college programs in Mexico.

The game was organized to commemorate the 90th anniversary of American football at UNAM – the National Autonomous University of Mexico – and the home team Pumas fell behind in the first half and then staged a second half comeback to secure the win.

The European team opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 31-yard field goal, but Pumas quarterback Jose Arenas put UNAM on the scoreboard capping a long drive with a touchdown, but the extra point was blocked for the score 6-3.

Warriors defensive end James Hamilton picked up a fumble by Arenas returning it to the end zone to give Europe a 9-6 lead. Arenas then marched UNAM down the field and scored himself again and with the extra point, the Pumas took a 13-9 lead.

However, the Warriors responded as Ja Vontae Hence hauled in a Jonathan Dally pass and then Erik Pérez Marquez threw a two-point conversion to Preston Baily aand the Warriors took a 17-13 halftime lead.

Connor to Hence

Pumas head coach Otto Becerril replaced his quarterback in the second half and with De Juambelz Jiménez behind center, the Pumas offense marched 75 yards in two minutes with Jiménez capping the drive with a three yard plunge. The extra point gave UNAM a 20-17 lead.

A fumble by the Warriors on the ensuing kickoff gave the Pumas the ball on the 15 yard line and Jiménez took full advantage finding Andrés Salgado with a touchdown pass, extending the lead to 27-17.

The fourth quarter opened with another Pumas drive, this one 95 yards with new quarterback Sergio Martinez handing the ball off to Herminio Rojas for a one yard touchdown run. Hugo Campos added the two point conversion and UNAM held a commanding 35-17 lead early in the fourth.

However, Reilly and the Warriors were not done as first Darnell Smith scored on a touchdown pass from Reilly and then Dally threw his second scoring pass of the game, this one to Smith for his second of the game to close the gap to 35-3o. Reilly threw a two-point conversion to Hence to round out the scoring, 35-32.

The Warriors recovered the onside kick but the offense could not move the ball and turned it over on downs. UNAM ran the clock out and began celebrating.

Watch the game highlights here.