Obic Seagulls dominate IBM Big Blue 48–0 to remain unbeaten in X League Premier
The Obic Seagulls (8–0) continued their unbeaten march through the Japanese X League Premier season Sunday, October 18, dismantling the IBM Big Blue (4–4) 48–0 at Fujitsu Stadium Kawasaki.
Rookie wide receiver Shunto Mizoguchi caught three touchdown passes as Obic, already assured of a Rice Bowl Tournament berth, recorded its eighth consecutive victory. The Seagulls piled up 407 yards of offense while their defense held IBM to just 118.
Holley and Mizoguchi dominate first half
Obic established control early when Kotaro Hironaga returned a kickoff 76 yards, providing excellent field position.
Quarterback Pierce Holley opened the scoring with a touchdown pass to Yuki Sakuma before turning to Mizoguchi, who caught three consecutive touchdown passes covering one, 38 and seven yards in the second quarter.
Holley also connected with Ryohei Nagao for an 18-yard touchdown as the Seagulls raced to a commanding 35–0 halftime advantage.
The Obic quarterback finished an outstanding afternoon completing 19 of 26 passes for 233 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.
Mizoguchi, named game MVP, caught six passes for 86 yards and three touchdowns, providing the biggest offensive contribution in the one-sided contest.
Obic Seagulls wide receiver Shunto Mizoguchi was named game MVP after catching three touchdown passes. (Photo: X LEAGUE)
Seagulls maintain pressure after break
The Seagulls continued to dominate in the second half, with Hironaga adding an 18-yard touchdown run. He finished with 74 rushing yards while also contributing his spectacular kickoff return.
Kicker Joji Yamazaki added field goals of 30 and 27 yards to complete the scoring.
The Obic offense finished with 174 rushing yards and 233 passing yards, averaging more than twice IBM’s total offensive production through the air alone.
Obic defense shuts down Big Blue
While Holley and Mizoguchi grabbed the headlines, the Seagulls’ defense was equally impressive.
IBM quarterback Yuki Masamoto completed just seven of 21 passes for 53 yards and an interception as the Big Blue struggled to establish any consistent passing attack.
Wide receiver Reece Horn managed three receptions for 22 yards, while running back Hitoshi Hiramatsu provided one of the few bright spots, rushing for 51 yards on eight carries.
Defensive back Cole Coleman intercepted a pass for Obic, which limited IBM to just 38 rushing yards and 80 passing yards.
The Seagulls also prevented the Big Blue from mounting any sustained scoring threats, completing a shutout against a team that entered the contest hoping to build momentum following its previous victory.
Unbeaten Obic strengthens championship credentials
The victory highlighted Obic’s balance, with an explosive passing attack, productive ground game and suffocating defense combining to overwhelm IBM.
For the Big Blue, the defeat ended their hopes of consecutive victories and dropped them to 4–4.
With eight straight wins and a postseason berth already secured, the Seagulls remain firmly in contention for the Rice Bowl championship.
