Japan: IBM Big Blue top Sekisui Challengers 30-13 to win second straight in X League Premier

IBM Big Blue stayed in the hunt near the top of the X League Premier standings Sunday, using a balanced offense and a dominant defensive finish to beat the Sekisui Challengers 30-13 and improve to 2-1.

The victory was IBM’s second in a row, while the Challengers slipped to 0-3-1 after dropping their third straight game.

IBM builds first-half lead

IBM wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Quarterback Jaiya Wright capped the opening scoring drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Takaki Suzuki, giving Big Blue an early 7-0 advantage.

The Challengers answered early in the second quarter as Garrett Safron connected with Boogie Knight on a 30-yard touchdown pass to even the score.

The tie didn’t last long. Wright broke loose for a 57-yard touchdown run to put IBM back in front before Hayato Fukuoka added a 28-yard field goal just before halftime, sending Big Blue into the break with a 17-7 lead.

Quarterbacks keep the offense rolling

IBM picked up where it left off after halftime.

On the opening play of the third quarter, Wright found Katsuhito Omi for a 49-yard completion that set up Minje Akimoto’s one-yard touchdown run and a 24-7 lead.

Safron kept the Challengers within striking distance, throwing his second touchdown pass of the afternoon, this time a five-yarder to Takuro Abe to cut the deficit to 24-13.

Sekisui QB Garrett Safron puts pressure on IBM Defense ©X LEAGUE

Any comeback hopes disappeared in the fourth quarter when backup quarterback Yuki Masamoto found Suzuki for a five-yard touchdown, Suzuki’s second scoring catch of the game.

Wright completed 7 of 9 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown while adding 67 rushing yards and another score. Masamoto was equally efficient, completing 8 of 10 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown.

Suzuki finished with three catches for 39 yards and two touchdowns, while Omi’s lone reception covered 49 yards. Akimoto added 57 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Defense slams the door

The IBM defense turned the game into a rout late by forcing four interceptions, including picks on three consecutive Sekisui possessions.

AJ Wentland led the unit with 10 tackles and an interception, while Kaito Fujita, Ryosuke Watanabe and Yugo Muragishi also came away with interceptions. The relentless defensive effort spoiled an otherwise productive day for Safron, who completed 19 of 28 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns.

Knight was the top offensive weapon for the Challengers, hauling in eight receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown, but IBM Big Blue finished the stronger team on both sides of the ball to secure an important conference victory.