Before more than 35,000 fans in the Tokyo Dome, the Obic Seagulls trounced the Ritsumeikan Panthers to win the Rice Bowl
In a rather lackluster game after an exciting season, the Seagulls shut out the Panthers 24-0 in the 28th annual meeting of collegiate and shakaijin champions. It was the Seagulls fourth title, the first two coming when they were sponsored by Recruit. The win denied the Panthers their fourth title.
Ritsumeikan mostly flailed on offense, unable to move the ball on the ground, and QB Shoma Taniguchi connected on only 9 of 38 passes for 69 yards, was intercepted three times in the 4th quarter. Considered a running threat, he managed only 24 yards on 13 carries. A missed 40-yard field goal ended their only scoring threat of the afternoon.
Former Hawaii University players Karl Noa and Kevin Jackson figured prominently in the pressure put on Taniguchi. Noa had a couple of sacks, and Jackson added a tipped and then intercepted a pass to his stats.
Meanwhile Obic QB Shun Sugawara was 15 of 25 for 199 yards, throwing for the first touchdown (a 49-yard strike to Ryoma Hagiyama), and running for the second. The Seagulls scored on a FG as time expired in the 1st half to make it 17-0.
Sugawara, who lost in the Rice Bowl twice as a collegian with the Hosei Tomahawks, transferred to the Seagulls this year from the Sagamihara Rise, who will join division 1 of the X-League next season. Sugawara was named game MVP.
The Furutani twin brothers figured prominently in the Seagull's attack: Shinya with long punt returns, and Takuya rushing and scoring the final TD of the game.
