Ultimini XXXIX
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| Stadium | Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai India | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Offensive MVP | Lloyd Bannings, Quarterback (TIJ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Defensive MVP | Logjammed McBobface, Linebacker (TIJ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Ultimini XXXIX was an American football game played to determine the champion of the Developmental Simulation Football League (DSFL) for 2056 (S41). The Southern Football Conference (DSFL South) champion Tijuana Luchadores defeated the Northern Football Conference (DSFL North) champion Kansas City Coyotes, 20-17, to win their record setting 10th Ultimini Bowl championship in another record breaking 17 appearances. The game was played at Mumbai Football Arena located in Mumbai India. This was the 3rd time in which the Tijuana Luchadores matched up with the Kansas City Coyotes in an Ultimini Bowl. The Luchadores won the previous matchups back in Ultimini XI and Ultimini VI. All meetings ended with the Tijuana Luchadores bringing home the Ultimini Trophy.
Contents
Background
Teams
The DSFL North was represented by the Kansas City Coyotes, and the DSFL South was represented by the Tijuana Luchadores.
Kansas City Coyotes
After missing the playoffs the previous season with the worse record in their conference at 4-10, The Coyotes saw a complete turnaround in s41, going from the worse record in the league to the best. They sat comfortably top of the North with a 11-3 record. They also beat the top dog in the South, the Luchadores in their 2 bouts in the regular season, Winning both in a dominating fashion. The Coyotes led by DPOY Matthew Fryars & DROY Alexander Kovic boasted the leagues best defense in several categories while the offense was middling.
Tijuana Luchadores
The Tijuana Luchadores were early favorites for the Ultimini Bowl in season 41. They led the league in TPE totals and had the benefit of a weaker division. The RB duo of Kyle Crane and Gucci Gurley in the backfield gave the offense plenty of options on offense alongside QB Lloyd Bannings. Tijuana was eager to prove themselves and went undefeated in the preseason and the first 5 weeks of the regular season. In week 6 they were set to play Bondi Beach Buccaneers, who going into the match was 0-5 for the season. What should have been a layup for Tijuana turned into a disaster. A last minute miracle drive from the Buccaneers gave the Luchadores their first loss on the season. They would lose the following game to the Coyotes and tie to Dallas. Ultimately they would finish 8-5-1 in the regular season. Which given the state of the DSFL South was enough to clinch the division and advance to the playoffs where they would have to face the Buccaneers again. A nervous thought for Tijuana with how the first game finished.
Playoffs
Portland started off with a fairly no nonsense victory against the 6-8 [Bondi Beach Buccaneers]] in the Semifinals, winning by a score of 24-8. QB Lloyd Bannings was the primary offensive standout going for 215 yards passing with 2 passing touchdowns to 0 Interceptions.
The Coyotes beat the 2nd seeded Royals in the Semifinals in a game where they run away with the game in the 4th. Late in the 3rd the score was 28-21 where the Coyotes would go on a 20-0 run to make the end score 41-28. In the hard fought victory, the primary offensive standout of this game was QB Jake Jefferson who went for 254 yards through the air along with tossing 5 touchdowns to lead the Luchadores to their 17th Ultimini Bowl appearance of all time.
Game summary
First Quarter
The game started off extremely sluggish, with the 2 teams trading punts and sacks. The quarter ended with the Luchadores turning the ball over to the Coyotes with a Lloyd Bannings interception. The Coyotes couldn't seem to capitalize on the opportunity and punted once again.
Second Quarter
The 2nd quarter seemed to be on the trajectory of the 1st quarter in terms of slow starts, as the first 2 drives were a pair of punts, however the Luchadores finally broke through with Bannings leading a dominant TD drive capped off with a WR Eli Prince finding the endzone to put them up 7-0. The subsequent drive saw a odd sequence of events. On a 4th & 4 in TIJ territory the Coyotes elected to go for it, they ended up fumbling the football and TIJ recovered it. However on the very next play the TIJ RB Gucci Gurley would also end up fumbling handing the ball back to the Coyotes. Their drive would stall out, deciding to send out the kicking team to attempt the 50 yard field goal, but it was missed. The quarter seen no further scoring with the halftime score being 7-0 TIJ.
Third Quarter
The 3rd quarter actually seen a start similar to the 1st quarter, a defensive standout with both teams not breaking through with a score. They instead traded punts, penalties and sacks. Frustrated fans could be seen leaving the stadium, which was the wrong decision as it ignited a 4th quarter for the ages.
Fourth Quarter
The 4th quarter started with the Luchadores finishing their 5 and a half minute drive with a early TD to National Treasure Bannings 2nd of the day. The Coyotes offensive woes continued as they punted it back to a red hot TIJ squad who put up more points on the board with a 34 yard field goal converted by KP Wing Wang. The score was now 17-0 and the Kansas City Coyotes knew that they couldn't take it sitting down and they had to put up points on the board or the game would get out of hand very quick. On the subsequent drive QB Jake Jefferson led his team down the field for a long TD drive capped off with his first TD pass of the night, making the score 17-7. After forcing a quick 3 and out the Coyotes found themselves in prime position to make this a 1 possession game. Which they did with Jefferson throwing his 2nd TD of the game with only 43 seconds left. It felt like it was too little and too late and that the TIJ would run the clock out, however a miracle happened and the Coyotes recovered the onside kick. Jefferson made a clutch 20 yard completion and frantically signaled to the coaching staff to send out the kicking team to attempt the 43 yard field goal. It was all on this kick. The kick is up and it goes straight through the uprights. The game wasn't over. The Coyotes just tied the ball game and it's going to OT.
Overtime
The 2 teams were exhausted and just wanted the game to be over, the start was sluggish, both teams trading punts. Until late in OT where the Coyotes made the mistake that costed them the game. Turning the ball over with 36 seconds left in their own 25 yard line. After they recovered their own fumble they sent the kicking team out to win them the game, which they did drilling the 33 yard field goal to win their record breaking 10th Ultimini Bowl.
Eli Prince wrapped up an improbable come from behind victory with a final stat line of 8 receptions, 95 yards and a TD. This was enough to earn him his first Ultimini Offensive Player of the Game Award. On defence, Logjammed McBobface had 11 tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble. He took home the Ultimini Defensive Player of the Game Award. This marked the Luchadores 10th Championship.
Game statistics
Statistical comparison
| Statistic | Tijuana Luchadores | Kansas City Coyotes |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 19 | 18 |
| Third down efficiency | 1/12 | 5/19 |
| Fourth down efficiency | 1/2 | 0/2 |
| Net yards rushing | 76 | 83 |
| Rushing attempts | 28 | 25 |
| Yards per rush | 2.7 | 3.3 |
| Passing – Completions-attempts | 31/46 | 35/59 |
| Interceptions thrown | 2 | 0 |
| Net yards passing | 317 | 341 |
| Total net yards | 393 | 424 |
| Fumbles-lost | 5-1 | 1-1 |
| Penalties-yards | 3-35 | 6-60 |
| Time of possession | 38:14 | 36:32 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
