Ultimus Bowl XXIII

Ultimus Bowl XXIII

File:Ultimus Bowl XXIII logo.svg
Austin Copperheads (NSFC) Yellowknife Wraiths (ASFC) 13 38
1 2 3 4 Total AUS 7 0 3 3 13 YKW 7 10 14 7 38
Stadium	The Graveyard, Yellowknife, Canada
Offensive MVP	Mathias Hanyadi, Fullback (YKW)
Defensive MVP	Douglas Quaid, Linebacker (YKW)

Ultimus Bowl XXIII was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Simulation Football League (NSFL) for 2038 (S23). The National Simulation Football Conference (NSFC) champion Yellowknife Wraiths defeated the American Simulation Football Conference (ASFC) champion Austin Copperheads, 25-24. The game was played at the The Graveyard in Yellowknife, Canada.

Background

Teams

The NSFC was represented by the top ranked playoff seed Yellowknife Wraiths, while the ASFC was represented by their third position Wild Card seed Austin Copperheads.

Yellowknife Wraiths

Main article: 2038 Yellowknife Wraiths Season

The Yellowknife Wraiths were back in the ISFL Season 23 Season ready to redeem the upset loss they suffered in the Playoffs of Season 22. The clear favorite from the season before was there in full force to begin the redo and were slated as the favorites once again to take over in the NSFC. The comeback season started off hurtful once again as they lost a very close upset to the newly talented Baltimore Hawks in the season opener. However, this seemed to light a fire of redemption for the Wraiths as the proceeded to keep the vision in their sights as the proceeded to win 10 of the next 13 games in the regular season to show that the y still have what it takes to go out and compete with the league. Towards of the end of the season they tapered off against some tough competition in what could have been a solidified number 1 seed, but losing out the last 2 games let it come down to a slim tie breaker lead with the Coloradi Yeti who were looking to repeat their previous season performance. Yellowknife ended the season 10-6 with the Top Offensive production in the NSFC and attributed the 3rd best in the league led by Cooter Bigsby 3900 Yard, 21 Touchdown season as well as a 1300 Yard 13 Touchdown season from Fullback Mathias Hanyadi.

Austin Copperheads

Main article: 2038 Austin Copperheads season

The Copperheads returned as the reigning #2 seed from the season previous, and looked to continue on They started the season off with a 4-2 start and were in good contention to keep going forward as an early favorite. However, the team suffered a mid season collapse that saw them lose 5 of the final 8 games of the season. The Copperheads were clearly struggling , the defense was having issues against the passing game and it showed when they played the teams that had it as a strength. The Copperheads still were able to take advantage of a very weak ASFC division just barely skirting into a wild card spot at 8-8. Ultimus hopes looking slim going into it, but every game is taken as its own once the playoffs begin and we begin to see if the copperheads can pull it together to upset some teams.

Playoffs

Main article: 2038 NSFL playoffs

The Wraiths started with the top seed against the 4th place Hawks and handily won their playoff opener, while they awaited the winner of the other quarterfinals which would lead to them with a much awaited rematch against the team that eliminated them from the season before, and 2nd place seed Colorado Yeti. In a nailbiter game that was very defensive. The Wraiths were finally able to up end their foe and pull off a competitive 13-10 victory and pave their way to the Season 23 Ultimus. The Copperheads squared off against the #2 seed Secondline after learning the winner would be facing the Orange County Otter on their own redemption trail, The Copperheads edged out the Second line in a 20-15 matchup relying on the defense to hold New Orleans from scoring for the final 10 minutes of the game. In the Semifinal game to decide who would face off against the Wraiths in the Ultimus, the Copperheads came in on all cylinders jumping to a quick 17-6 lead. A small collapse in defense allowed the Otters to begin mounting a comeback and taking a lead of 19-17. Early in the 4th momentum shifted as Honda Edmond got an enormous interception return for a touch down and draining all momentum the Otters had, and showing the light to the Copperheads team as they went on to hold the lead and go into the Ultimus.

Game statistics

Statistical comparison

Statistic	Austin Copperheads	Yellowknife Wraiths
First downs	14	25
Third down efficiency	4/14	12/14
Fourth down efficiency	1/3	0/0
Net yards rushing	141	157
Rushing attempts	34	37
Yards per rush	4.1	4.2
Passing – Completions-attempts	12/19	29/45
Interceptions thrown	0	2
Net yards passing	144	293
Total net yards	285	450
Fumbles-lost	0-0	0-0
Penalties-yards	5-25	1-5
Time of possession	27:49	32:11
Turnovers	0	2

Box score

Ultimus Bowl XXII: Austin Copperheads 13, Yellowknife Wraiths 38

	1	2	3	4	Total
Copperheads (ASFC)	7	0	3	3	13
Wraiths (NSFC)	7	10	14	7	38

at The Graveyard, Yellowknife, Canada

• Date: 06 February, 2039
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. EST

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP AUS YKW 1 9:21 3 36 1:36 AUS Kichwa Jones 7-yard touchdown run, Alfredo Crisco kick good 7 0 1 5:55 8 59 2:57 YKW Action Jackson 8-yard touchdown reception from Cooter Bigsby, Dougie Smalls kick good 7 7 2 10:15 20 80 6:05 YKW Acura Skyline 1-yard touchdown run, Dougie Smalls kick good 7 14 2 0:06 18 84 4:55 YKW 34-yard field goal by Dougie Smalls 7 17 3 11:44 8 60 3:16 YKW Acura Skyline 1-yard touchdown run, Dougie Smalls kick good 7 24 3 5:38 13 79 6:06 AUS 39-yard field goal by Alfredo Crisco 10 24 3 1:24 10 68 4:07 YKW Acura Skyline 1-yard touchdown run, Dougie Smalls kick good 10 31 4 8:28 4 3 0:57 AUS 48-yard field goal by Alfredo Crisco 13 31 4 5:45 6 53 2:34 YKW Mike Lee 23-yard touchdown reception from Cooter Bigsby, Dougie Smalls kick good 13 38 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see wp:Glossary of American football. 13 38