BUAFL Game Report: Renegades royally rout Worcester

Not exactly a glamour fixture, but an interesting report on a playoff hopeful and a team that hasn't shown any improvement in it's 3 years of competitive play.

After the disappointment of two matches having to be rescheduled, the Renegades got their first taste of BUAFL action for over a month. In recent weeks, NTU’s offence has once again been criticised for a lack of an aerial attack, with the Running game being the main feature of our offence. Well once again, NTU came out guns blazing and ready to prove naysayers wrong. The Renegades traveled to Worcester to face a team propping up the MAC division with hopes of a blowout win.

NTU president Chris O'Dea runs the ball back

Within the first minute, NTU had already put 7 points on the board when #30 Danny Miller smashed home his 8th Touchdown of the season putting Trent up 7-0 after a successful PAT by Kicker Kieran Green.  After the restart, the Worcester offence set up for their first drive of the match, only for the Worcester Quarterback Matt Aston to be Intercepted on the very first offensive play by president Chris O’Dea, who took it 30 yards back to the endzone and for his first Touchdown of the season – 14-0 Trent within 3 minutes.

The Worcester offence once again came out hoping for more success in the ensuing drive but after Chris O’Dea’s huge sack on the Worcester 2 yard line and two runs for minimal gain, Worcester punted away after. Trent took to the field hoping to inflict more damage on the home side and, after a strong run from Danny Miller, Adam Grant found American debutant Eric Moats on a short screen pass and his first touchdown in Renegades colours and Grants 3rd passing TD this season – NTU up 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Royals defence struggled against NTU's physical style of offence.

After a change of ends, the second quarter began with Worcester on the attack. After two unsuccessful first drives, the Royals changed personnel and introduced a power running game, only to be shut down by an aggressive Trent defensive line and once again, the Royals were forced to punt away. The Renegades offence once again emerged looking to add more points to their already assailant lead and it was Leonardo Glasgow, a Running Back who at times looks almost impossible to take down, scored his second Touchdown in his infant NTU career. 28-0 Renegades.

At 28-0, credit must be given to Worcester for never ceasing to play at full capacity and this time, their offence moved the chains for a first down after a short passing game was introduced. However, it was the Renegades defence who came out on top with strong tackling from the Linebacker unit of Andrew Wilkins, Jamie Johansson-Otoo , George Bossart and Chris O’Dea, and good pass coverage from Marcus Boswell who shut down the long passing game on more than one occasion.

The Royals punt team has had plenty of practice

Danny Miller’s destructive running style that tacked on more points to the Renegades total, bringing the score to 35-0. Another Interception by Chris O’Dea was taken back to the house for 6 points as time expired on the first half, bringing the half-time score to 42-0.

The second half proved to be another one-sided affair with the Royals offence rarely able to gain yardage on the strong Trent defence. Sacks from Raphael Omuzusi, Jamie Johansson-Otoo (who dislocated his shoulder whilst making the play) and Laury Pop placed more restrictions on the Royals offence. Trent continued their offensive onslaught as QB Adam Grant threw his second Touchdown pass of the day to Wide receiver Pete Armstrong for his first Renegades touchdown, pushing the score to 48-0 following a missed PAT. Worcester continued to work hard on offence but to no avail as the Matt Aston threw his 3rd pick of the day, this time to Defensive captain Andrew Wilkins.

Running back Danny Miller has had an impressive season

Following the interception, Danny Miller pounded home his third touchdown of the day with a strong off tackle run and then successfully converted his own touchdown with a power run up the middle for the additional 2 points – 56-0 Renegades.

Trent offensive co-ordinator Scott Messom made some changes to personnel midway into the third quarter, handing a Trent debut to QB Alex Murray and OL Daryl Hughes. Murray’s first piece of competitive Trent action saw a handoff to Danny Miller taken to the house for his fourth score of the day and his eleventh on the season which boosted the score to an incredible 63-0 to the irrepressible Renegades.

NTU's defence enjoyed the tackling practice Worcester provided 

As time ran down in the fourth quarter, the Renegades still had time for one more score, with Derreke “Rico” Williams-Wint taking the ball through the middle into the endzone for his first Touchdown in the Renegades uniform and bringing the score to a Trent record 70-0. On the final drive of the game, Trent could have added a further 7 to the total – QB Murray found Tight End Rob “Gronk” Cartwright over the middle for a spectacular one handed grab, only for the score to be declined by the referees.

Trent proved once again that they have a highly productive offence – The running game is one of the best in the league and the passing game has been massively improved with newfound confidence from QB Grant. Trent will now spend the week preparing for a huge game against Loughborough on Saturday before making preparations for the rescheduled Varsity game against Nottingham Uni.