Ultimus Bowl IX

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Ultimus Bowl IX
File:Ultimus Bowl IX logo.svg
1234 Total
BAL 77100 24
NOLA 217018 37
StadiumThe Meme Coliseum, New Orleans, Louisiana
Offensive MVPBorkus Maximus III, Quarterback (NOLA)
Defensive MVPFuego Wozy, Defensive End (NOLA)

Ultimus Bowl IX was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Simulation Football League (NSFL) for 2024 (S9). The American Simulation Football Conference (ASFC) champion New Orleans Second Line defeated the National Simulation Football Conference (NSFC) champion Baltimore Hawks, 37-24, to win their first ever Ultimus Bowl championship. The game was played at The Meme Coliseum in New Orleans, Louisiana. This was the second straight Ultimus Bowl game featuring the New Orleans Second Line, who had lost last season's championship to the Yellowknife Wraiths in Ultimus Bowl VIII.

Background

Teams

The NSFC was represented by the Baltimore Hawks, and the ASFC was represented by the New Orleans Second Line.

Baltimore Hawks

The Baltimore Hawks went into Ultimus Bowl IX after posting a NSFC best record of 11-3. They dominated their conference, going undefeated against their division opponents. They were second only to the Second Line in most offensive and defensive categories. Avon Blocksdale had another efficient season under center as he hoped to lead the Baltimore Hawks to another Ultimus appearance. They had lost their two previous trips to the Bowl, losing badly to the Arizona Outlaws on both occasions. They knew they would have their hands full trying to overcome another super team to finally get their hands on an Ultimus Trophy.

New Orleans Second Line

After the devastating end to their season 8 season which ended in a heartbreaking Ultimus Bowl loss, the Second Line made it their mission to make it back to the big game. The Second Line continued on to have one of the most dominant seasons in NSFL history. They were number one in points scored with an absurd 37.9 points per game. They also featured a dominant defence that was best in the league in all categories outside of rushing (where they were second). Pairing the number one offence in the league with a defence that was giving up an average of just over 14 points per game was a recipe for a lot of wins, and win they did. They finished as the number 1 team in the nation, finishing with an 12-2 record. Paul DiMirio won his record extending 7th straight Tight End of the Year award. His franchise quarterback Borkus Maximus III had yet another stalwart season and he was awarded the Quarterback of the Year award at the conclusion of the season. Defensive tackle Godfrey King was awarded Defensive linemen of the Year for his fantastic play in the trenches. Darren Smallwood had yet another dominate performance on the gridiron, taking home his second consecutive Running Back of the Year, and Offensive Player of the Year awards. And deservedly so as he put up over 2000 yards from scrimmage and 30 touchdowns.

Playoffs

The Hawks faced off against a fiesty Colorado Yeti team that was eager to knock off the top dogs in the NSFC. The Yeti jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Eventually this game became a back and forth thriller between both teams as the score went from 14-14, to 21-21, and then 28-28. The turning point came after a Trey Willie touchdown catch made it 35-28 Hawks. Yeti QB Ryan Applehort was tackled for a safety, giving the Hawks the slightest amount of breathing room. The Yeti did not give up as they managed to get two more FGs to make it a three point game going into the last 5 minutes of the game. Unfortunately for the Yeti, Applehort was intercepted in their own side of the field which led to an easy chip in field goal for Turk Turkleton to make the game 40-34 Hawks. The Hawks were off to Ultimus Bowl IX.

The Second Line faced off against the Otters yet again in the ASFC Conference Championship game. As opposed to last season's thriller, the Second Line dominated from the beginning. The game was never in doubt as they had a fairly relaxing 39-21 victory in front of their home crowd.

This would set up an Ultimus Bowl game between the two best teams in the NSFL, both vying for their first ever Ultimus Bowl Championship.

Game summary

First Quarter

The Hawks started off with a rhythmic 9 play, 81 yard that took over 5 minutes off the clock. The drive ended with a 18 yard laser from Avon Blocksdale to Budda Browning to give the hawks a 7-0 lead. The Second Line didn't have as great of a start, as their stalwart running back Darren Smallwood made an uncharacteristic mistake in the redzone as he fumbled the ball at the Hawks 16 yard line. The fumble was quickly recovered by one of the best linebackers in the NSFL Austin Roenick. The Second Line answered right back with a safety as Blocksdale was sacked in the Hawks own endzone. This made the score 7-2 going for the Hawks going into the 2nd quarter.

Second Quarter

After receiving the kickoff after the safety, the Hawks wasted no time in going right back down the field to score another touchdown. This was another long, time consuming 9 play drive, that ended this time by a short scamper into the endzone by Owen Taylor. All of a sudden it was a 14-2 game. The Second Line knew they needed to make some plays or this game would soon get out of hand. The Second Line made some explosive plays that got them within the 10 yard line of the Hawks. The drive was finished off by Smallwood, who managed to make up for his untimely fumble in the first quarter. After forcing a punt, the Second Line went all the way back down the field for a touchdown to take a 14-16 lead. It was Borkus Maximus III this time who managed to connect with Jackson in the endzone. The comeback quarter by the Second Line ended in a field goal to make the game 14-19 in their favour going into halftime.

Third Quarter

It was a timid start to the third quarter as both teams exchanged punts. The Hawks managed to have a fairly lengthy FG drive to make the game 17-19. The forced Second Line to punt again, and put together another dominate touchdown drive which ended in an Owen Taylor run to make the game 24-19 for the Hawks.

Fourth Quarter

The Second Line answered right back with an 11 play, drive that started at their 1 yard line. It ended in another Smallwood touchdown run. The Second Line decided to go for two to make it a 3 point game and they successfully converted to make it 24-27 early in the fourth quarter. The Second Line wore out the Hawks as they put a dominating finish to the end of the game. They drove 80 yards for another Borkus Maximus III touchdown pass to make it a 10 point lead with 5 minutes left to go in the game. They later added a FG as a finishing touch to make the score 24-37.

The Second Line were victorious in front of their raucous fans as they were awarded their first Ultimus Bowl Championship ever. Borkus Maximus III ended his awesome season with the Offensive Ultimus Bowl Player of the Game Award for his 27/38, 372 yards and 2 TD game. Fuego Wozy was named the Defensive Ultimus Bowl Player of the Game Award recipient for his 3 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 safety showing on defensive line.

Game statistics

Statistical comparison

Statistic Baltimore Hawks New Orleans Second Line
First downs 20 19
Third down efficiency 3/11 4/11
Fourth down efficiency 0/1 0/1
Net yards rushing 95 115
Rushing attempts 19 27
Yards per rush 5.0 4.3
Passing – Completions-attempts 29/44 27/38
Interceptions thrown 0 0
Net yards passing 353 372
Total net yards 448 487
Fumbles-lost 1-0 2-1
Penalties-yards 6-55 1-5
Time of possession 30:45 29:15
Turnovers 0 1

Box score

Ultimus Bowl IX: New Orleans Second Line 37, Baltimore Hawks 24
1 2 34Total
Hawks (NSFC) 7 7 10024
Second Line (ASFC) 2 17 01837

at The Meme Coliseum, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: 26 January, 2025
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. EST
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP BAL NOLA
1 9:35 9 81 5:25 BAL Budda Browning 18-yard touchdown reception from Avon Blocksdale, Turk Turkleton kick good 7 0
1 6:04 NOLA −11-yard sack, Avon Blocksdale tackled in the end zone by Austin Roenick for a safety 7 2
2 11:25 9 86 4:37 BAL Owen Taylor 3-yard touchdown run, Turk Turkleton kick good 14 2
2 8:20 5 63 2:35 NOLA Darren Smallwood 8-yard touchdown run, Iyah Blewitt kick good 14 9
2 2:33 5 51 2:44 NOLA Mayran Jackson 9-yard touchdown reception from Borkus Maximus III, Iyah Blewitt kick good 14 16
2 0:07 4 29 1:10 NOLA 42-yard field goal by Iyah Blewitt 14 19
3 8:19 8 64 3:28 BAL 25-yard field goal by Turk Turkleton 17 19
3 2:56 9 80 3:46 BAL Owen Taylor 8-yard touchdown run, Turk Turkleton kick good 24 19
4 12:31 11 99 5:18 NOLA Darren Smallwood 8-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass good 24 27
4 5:48 8 80 3:44 NOLA Dustin Evans 10-yard touchdown reception from Borkus Maximus III, Iyah Blewitt kick good 24 34
4 3:26 5 36 1:33 NOLA 25-yard field goal by Iyah Blewitt 24 37
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see wp:Glossary of American football. 24 37