Week 12 College Review

Michigan 42 – Iowa 17 

At first glance: Michigan handled their business at home, putting Iowa away behind a strong performance from Devin Gardner at QB. 

Turning point:  When Gardner hooked up with his RB Vincent Smith on a 18 yard TD pass to put Michigan up 28-10 with 40 seconds left in the 1st half, Iowa never looked like the were coming back. 

Key Stat:  Michigan had 6 different players who took a handoff leading to a constantly fresh rushing attack and a 5.1 yard/rush average. 

Point of Interest: Denard Robinson was back on the field but not at QB. He started at running back and operated from various packages. Maybe a glimpse of things to come as he doesn’t really project to being a QB at the next level. 

Player of the Game: Devin Gardner. 3 TDs and 314 yards through the air really helped Michigan break their senior day losing streak. 

My prediction: Picked the winner, just a little higher scoring that I thought it would be. 

Highlights: 

Michigan: 

What this win means:  The seniors go out with a win for the first time in three years and they are still in position to take the Legends division if Nebraska slip up. 

Up next: @ Ohio State. After Wisconsin gave the Buckeyes a scare, the Wolverines will look to go one better and knock of the undefeated team. 

Iowa: 

What this loss means:  Bottom of the Legends division and no bowl bids. 

Up next:  vs #14 Nebraska. If Iowa decide to pull the upset of the Cornhuskers off on senior day it could make their season look a little better. 

UCLan Rams down the Eagles

Images and article courtesy of Nathan Sharrocks

A hard fought battle ended in a UCLan victory in their first competitive American football game. The team itself was a long time in the making, with the committee members putting in a lot of work to get the Rams up and running so it was great to see their perseverance rewarded on the field.

Hull Sharks @ Leeds Celtics Game Report

by Richard Choksey

The Leeds Celtics hosted the Hull Sharks on Sunday in a fierce battle to claim supremacy of the North East. Hull’s explosive passing attack posed the most dangerous threat the Celtic defence has faced this year, whilst the Celtic offence looked to build on the successes of week 2.

Edinburgh Napier Knights vs. Glasgow Tigers game report

The Edinburgh Napier Knights fell to their third successive defeat against the visiting Glasgow Tigers as their offensive woes continued.

Without a score in the previous two games the Knights have struggled to move the ball despite the presence of elite Running Back Jamie Welsh. The only silver lining for the Knights has been the improving play of their Defense who held firm against a resurgent Glasgow team despite conceding an early 22 yard Touchdown pass to Wide Receiver Chris Mazur from Ewan Beesley.

The Knights Defense kept them in the game behind the play of Captain Ryan Strachan who snared two more interceptions and a pair of sacks of the opposing Quarterback. But as the Offense tried to move the ball an interception of Quarterback Ben Rosin was returned for a touchdown by James Crymble and a safety sack in the end zone put paid to any chance the Knights had of staying in the game.

The special team play of kicker of Mark Williamson was also a highlight on an otherwise disappointing day for Napier.

The Knights are now off to their worst start to a season since 2008 and must look to their bye week to continue their hard work in developing the team.

Knights Offensive Co-Ordinator Matthew Davies was upbeat about his team’s performance.
‘We remain committed to these young men and the development program we have put in place. Whilst we have one of the best set ups in the league we need to re-focus on our targets for the season and continue our goals of building a program that is built to last.’

‘Well done to the Tigers on a solid display today and I am certain that our results will turn around soon.’



Next Fixture: 1pm, Dec. 2nd at Stirling Clansmen, Gannochy Playing Fields, Stirling University Campus