Devin & Jeremy in Japan: Nojima Rise Game 4

Submitted by Carcajou on

The Nojima Rise fell to the Asahi (Beer) Silver Stars 29-26 in another game that came down to the final minute. Nojima is now a disappointing 1-3 on the season, and in danger of missing the playoffs.

Trailing 26-10 at halftime, Devin Gardner began to bring the Rise back late in the 3rd quarter, when he ran the ball in from the 5-yard line, and passed to Jeremy Gallon for the two-point conversion to bring the score to 26-18. Midway through the 4th quarter, Garner scored on a 23 yard scramble, but Gallon was called for a block in the back. On the next play, Gardner hit Eisuke Tomatsu for a TD, and with Gardner on a QB draw for the extra point, the game was tied.

A five minute drive by the Silver Stars set up a 30-yard field goal to make it 29-26, and after the kickoff went out of bounds, the Rise took over from their own 35 with 1:03 remaining. The Silver Stars had missed an earlier field goal from 31-yards and one extra point; while Nojima had two FG kicks blocked

Gardner was able to move the ball into Asahi territory with a combination of throws and runs, but was unable to complete the 4th down pass and the ball was turned over on downs with 5 seconds remaining. Gardner missed on his last four passes, and said he had fallen on the ball at one point and was coughing up blood, but seemed fine when talking with fans after the game.

Once again Gardner was the leading rusher in the game,carrying it 14 times for 79 yards. He was 18-34 passing for, 299 yards, 2 TDs for the Rise (including their first, a 25 yard strke to Gallon), and 1 interception. Gallon had 7 catches for 133 yards.

Gardner's counterpart Mason Mills was 24-33, 341 yards and 3 TDs.


The Rise next face perrenial league power the Panasonic Impulse in a game next Sunday in Osaka.

MGoBoard
Football
Devin Gardner
Japan
Jermey Gallon
Nojima Rise

Carcajou

October 10th, 2016 at 12:24 AM ^

Teams are allowed to have a maximum of four (foreigners who went to a Japanese university are exempted from this rule). Only 2 may be on the field at any one time.


It's semi-pro, and teams don't really have money to pay players.  But they try to give them company sponsored jobs, or find something that give them an income and time play.

Not so many teams have gaijin players though. Nojima now has three (including Ernest Thomas from Illinois). The Silver Stars only have one now (Mills, who I believe is half-Japanese). Expats already working in Japan are usually put off by the practice schedule (one or two days on weekends and possibly a weekday, almost year-round), and having to purchase your own equipment, etc.

 

 

Joined: 02/26/2009

MGoPoints: 5772

ST3

October 10th, 2016 at 12:49 AM ^

I saw a Chinese Arena Football League game the other night. Yes, this is a real thing. There were at most a dozen fans in the stands. You've got to start somewhere I guess.

Joined: 09/11/2010

MGoPoints: 52470

treetown

October 10th, 2016 at 8:00 AM ^

Please keep us updated if possible. Thank you again.

I always liked Devin Gardner. He handled his time here at UM very well and honestly were it not for the situation he was in, I suspect he'd be playing here in the NFL. He's an excellent example where raw talent and potential still needs coaching and development. Had he had 3 years with Harbaugh he would have had a quite different career. Glad to see that he seems to be having fun.

 

Joined: 11/10/2010

MGoPoints: 6339

SBGraves66

October 10th, 2016 at 2:41 PM ^

I agree with you Treetown.  If Devon had been under Harbaugh's coaching for 3 years he would have had a very different and more successful career. . . as a wide receiver.

Unfortunately this fine young man never had the vision and thus the accuaracy to be a passer in higher levels of participation.  His outstanding athletic skills were wasted by a coaching staff that kept trying to make him into something he could never be.

I am certain that  Devon will be a very successful human being once he starts using his most valuable personal attributes. . . i. e., an outstanding personality, well above average intelligence, and his UM degree.

Joined: 03/11/2015

MGoPoints: 40