Wolverines in Japan 2017 Regular Season Game 1
The Nojima Rise began their regular season with a resounding win over the Bulls football club, 84-0. Devin Gardner threw for three touchdowns, and ran for three more.
Naoki Arai ran back the opening kickoff for Nojima, and the Rise scored touchdowns on every possesion except for an interception of Gardner on their second series.
With the lopsided nature of the game, the three Michigan Wolverine alumni saw intermittent action. Mario Ojemudia (wearing #53) had three tackles, including a fumble recovery, while Sione Houma (#39) picked up 9 yards on four carries.
Devin Gardner (again wearing #98), seems to be feeling comfortable in his second year in Japan, as he completed 7 of 10 passed for 141 yards and three TDs and one INT, and also picked up 27 yards on five carries running the ball.
Gardner only played in the first half, as the Rise led 56-0 at halftime. He has taken on the role of training his two backup QBs by "trying to create some chaos in practice, so they don't get so rattled in games."
Gardner said he enjoyed the the chance to play live, "It was good to get our feet wet, because I hadn't been hit at all since spring," and was glad to see the start of the regular season. He said Sione and Mario would probably prefer to have played a little stiffer competition. They'll certainly get that chance in their next game on September 17th, when they take on perennial powerhouse Obic Seaguls.
With the time difference and a game scheduled that afternoon, they were only able to catch the second half (lucky them!) of the Michigan win over Florida, but they were quite pleased with the result and the directions both Michigan and their own team seem to be headed.
September 5th, 2017 at 8:12 AM ^
still playing there??
September 5th, 2017 at 9:17 AM ^
No Jeremy went back after last season. He signed with the Washington Valor arena league team.
He led the X-League (Japan) in receptions last year with 43.
September 5th, 2017 at 2:21 PM ^
Living in 相模原市?
September 5th, 2017 at 10:42 PM ^
いいえ、東京に住んでいます。
September 6th, 2017 at 10:05 AM ^
Well I understood Tokyo at least.
Damn I actually won't be far from there in a few weeks. No way I can make it there for a game even if they got a home game though.
September 6th, 2017 at 1:29 PM ^
in suburban Tokyo but I passed on it. It would have been cool to head to Sagamihara to see a game. I met Devon at UM Children's Hospital about four years ago. I'm sure it wouldn't be too tough to talk to the guys at the games in Japan. There are four US military facilities in that general area BTW.
September 5th, 2017 at 2:21 PM ^
Living in 相模原市?
September 5th, 2017 at 10:14 AM ^
Really appreciate the updates. Also love that the UM players are getting international experience.
September 5th, 2017 at 10:22 AM ^
Nothing to see here
September 5th, 2017 at 11:25 AM ^
two on my list of favorite Wolverines. Someone post that GIF of Gallon walking behind Gardner during his interview- stat !
September 5th, 2017 at 11:34 PM ^
the win. One of my favs
September 5th, 2017 at 1:55 PM ^
Resounding!
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