Japan: Fujitsu survives All Mitsubishi scare to clinch Rice Bowl Tournament berth
The Fujitsu Frontiers (7-1) survived a furious challenge from the All Mitsubishi Lions (2-4) Sunday, holding on for a 28-24 victory in Round 8 of Japan’s X League Premier at Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu in Kawasaki.
Tsubasa Takagi threw for 286 yards and three touchdowns as the Frontiers won their fourth straight game and became the first team to secure a place in the Rice Bowl Tournament.
Takagi, Grant strike twice
Fujitsu opened the scoring with a methodical 12-play, 67-yard drive, capped by Masanari Kagawa’s five-yard touchdown run.
The Lions answered with an 81-yard march that consumed more than nine minutes, with Demarcus Irons Jr. finding Kei Shirai for a four-yard touchdown.
Takagi then went to work.
He connected with Samajie Grant for a 61-yard touchdown and, after Darius Nash immediately answered with a 99-yard kickoff return for All Mitsubishi, found Grant again from 28 yards out.
The Frontiers led 21-14 at halftime.
All Mitsubishi Lions DB Darius Nash (left) races 99 yards for a kickoff return touchdown in the second quarter. Photo: ©X LEAGUE
Lions keep coming
Takagi’s third touchdown pass, a 13-yarder to Riki Matsui, pushed the margin to 28-14 in the third quarter.
Again, the Lions answered immediately. Isaiah Malcolm returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown before Yuta Onishi’s 28-yard field goal pulled All Mitsubishi within 28-24.
Special teams kept the Lions in the game. They amassed 205 yards on just three kickoff returns, with Nash and Malcolm both taking kicks to the end zone.
Fujitsu survives late threat
Still, the Lions had one final chance. Starting at their own three, they drove 79 yards and reached the Fujitsu 18 before the Frontiers stopped them on fourth down with 22 seconds remaining.
Takagi finished 20 of 27 for 286 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, with Samajie Grant catching five passes for 133 yards and two scores. Fujitsu outgained All Mitsubishi 376-237 and converted seven of 10 third downs.
For the Lions, Demarcus Levon Irons Jr. completed 11 of 17 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown without an interception, while Isaiah Khalil Malcome led the ground game with 70 yards on nine carries.
The Frontiers were also outstanding on third down, converting seven of 10 opportunities.
It wasn’t easy, but Fujitsu escaped with its seventh win and, more importantly, a ticket to the Rice Bowl Tournament.
