Not as Good as Hodai: Three Consecutive League Losses – An Autumn League Match Recap
Ah, the sweet smell of defeat! You know, just like when you forget to take the rubbish out for a week. And speaking of rubbish, the Griffins have found themselves knee-deep in it with three consecutive losses in the autumn league. Their latest misadventure? A showdown against the formidable Hodai, who marched onto the field like a pack of angry wildebeests, ready to trample over those hopes and dreams. The final score? A disappointing 38-26. Cue the sad violin music.
◆ 8・31 ～ 11・10 Autumn League Games (Amino Vital Field, etc.)
▼ 10・27 Taiho Taisen (Amino Vital Field)
Meiji University 26 6-7, 13-24, 0-0, 7-7 38 Hodai ○
The match kicked off with all the suspense of a soap opera—will they win? Will they lose? Spoiler alert: they lost. But let’s relive the glory days, shall we? Just three minutes in, Hodai scores a point. Yes, we’re already behind and the game has just begun. But fear not! The Griffins’ RB #21, Shuhei Takahashi, bursts through the opposition like a toddler on a sugar high, making a 50-yard dash like he’s being chased by a swarm of hornets. And what’s that? A touchdown! It’s 6-7, and for a fleeting moment, the fans could taste victory. Oh joy!
But, like the inevitable twist in a bad movie, reality sets in. With Hodai flexing their muscles as last year’s Kanto champions, the Griffins quickly find themselves down again. It’s a bit like expecting to win the lottery and instead finding out you’ve just bought a ticket to disappointment. At halftime, it’s 19-31. Yikes!
The third quarter rolls in, and things go from bad to worse. The Griffins seem to have misplaced their defense somewhere between the locker room and the pitch. Honestly, they were serving up first downs like they were at a buffet. Some guy in the stands must have been thinking, “Is this football or a comedy skit?” But redemption appears in the guise of DB #38 Yuki Tatsuta, who executes an interception that had the crowd buzzing like a wasp at a picnic.
Now into the final quarter, the Griffins show some signs of life! QB #15 Keifu Shinraku connects for a TD pass that gives us hope, but like many good things in life—a bad decision from an overenthusiastic team member leads to an interception faster than you can say, “Let’s have another kick-off.” And just like that, the final whistle blows, sealing the fate of our fluttering Griffins with a nail-biting finale. It’s 26-38, and the scoreboard isn’t playing nice.
As the season stands, the Griffins have managed a rather unremarkable 2 wins to 4 losses. It seems the path to being the best in Japan is as blocked as your arteries after a Saturday night takeaway. But will our fourth-year students pull a rabbit out of a hat in their final match against Waseda University on November 10th? Stay tuned to find out!
[Nanaka Kato]
Post-match Commentary
Igarashi
“There were clear times when the flow was good and times when it was bad.” Hmm, profound! Isn’t that the essence of life itself? But really, one can’t help but agree—much like a bad hair day, when it’s good, it’s good, and when it’s bad, well…you just want to hide from the world.
Shinraku
“The good thing was we gained yards on the run in the first half.” Well, isn’t that the aim of the game? We don’t give gold stars for just showing up! Also, about those turnovers? You could have at least asked nicely to keep the ball!
Kitamoto
“I was a little lucky in terms of form.” Luck? In football? Sounds like he might need to hang out with those guys holding four-leaf clovers. But hey, maybe that “luck” will turn into skill before next time!
In summary, our dear Griffins are left licking their wounds while contemplating how to pull themselves up by their bootstraps for one final heroic attempt. Everyone loves an underdog story, right? You know, like a kitten trying to outsmart a lion! Here’s to hoping for a flicker of brilliance in the next game before we wrap up this less-than-stellar season. Cheers!
Struggling Griffins Face Defeat Against Hodai: Three Consecutive League Losses
After enduring two back-to-back defeats, the Griffins found themselves up against a formidable opponent in the fifth game of the autumn league: the undefeated Hodai, who were coming off five consecutive wins. Despite their efforts and a moment of glory where they held their own against last year’s Kanto champions, the team ultimately succumbed to Hodai’s relentless offensive prowess. The final score was 38-26, marking their third straight loss in this season’s autumn league.
◆８・31～11・10Autumn league games (Amino Vital Field and venues)
▼10・27Taiho Taisen (Amino Vital Field)
Meiji University266ー7、13ー24、0ー0、7ー738Hodai○
The game commenced dramatically, with Hodai scoring the first point just three minutes into the first quarter. However, the Griffins responded swiftly. On the ensuing kickoff return, RB #21 Shuhei Takahashi executed an impressive 50-yard run, setting the stage for an offensive onslaught. QB #15 Keifu Shinraku completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to TE #89 Kodai Kaneko, bringing the score to an exhilarating 6-7. During the second quarter, despite conceding another touchdown, Shinraku bounced back with a stunning 34-yard touchdown pass to WR #19 Koki Igarashi, pushing the score to 12-14. Igarashi noted, “This year, I’ve been focusing on long passes, and it felt great to see that hard work pay off.” Following an interception by DB #39 Yuya Kitamoto, the Griffins took the lead with Takahashi’s 36-yard touchdown run, making the score 19-14. Despite their strong effort, Hodai quickly turned the tide, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal to end the first half at 19-31.
As the third quarter unfolded, the Griffins struggled against sustained pressure from their opponents, unable to capitalize on an interception by DB #38 Yuki Tatsuta. The quarter finished without any points on either side. In a thrilling moment during the fourth quarter, Shinraku delivered his third touchdown pass of the match, a 29-yard connection to TE #87 Soma Sato. Shinraku remarked, “It was a tricky play, but I felt well-prepared for this moment.” However, with just under two minutes remaining, they were dealt a setback with another touchdown against them, and despite their best efforts to hold on for a victory, a late interception sealed their fate.
The Griffins currently face an uphill battle with a record of 2 wins and 4 losses this season. Their next match against Waseda University is scheduled for November 10th. Although their dreams of claiming the number one spot in Japan appear dim, the question remains: can the fourth-year players make a memorable final appearance?
Comments after the match
Igarashi
――How do you look back on the match?
“There were clear times when the flow was good and times when it was bad, and when the flow was good, we felt comfortable making moves. The frustrating part was when we couldn’t regain control during the bad stretches.”
――Please tell us your impressions of the Hodai defense team.
“The individual skill level was incredibly high; one moment of negligence could easily have led to a turnover.”
Shinraku
――Please tell us about the positive aspects and challenges faced by Meiji University’s offensive team.
“We effectively gained yardage on the ground in the first half and executed crucial passes for scoring opportunities. Yet, our turnovers and inability to convert third downs were significant hurdles we need to address.”
――Please express your determination for the next match.
“Even if our goal of becoming the best in Japan has been dashed, I’m committed to not giving up. I hope to secure a win in the final game to build momentum for the next season.”
Kitamoto
――Please describe your experience with the interception.
“I felt fortunate in that moment, but I view the interception as a valuable learning experience, motivating me to do even better next time.”
――What are your thoughts on Meiji University’s defensive performance?
“We started off sluggishly, but we only allowed seven points in the second half. If we can replicate that level of performance from the beginning, victory is within reach.”
**Interview with Shinraku Keifu, Quarterback of the Griffins**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Shinraku! Thanks for joining us today to discuss the recent match against Hodai. It’s been a tough season for the Griffins. How do you feel after three consecutive losses?
**Shinraku:** Thanks for having me! Honestly, it’s been a challenging stretch. Losing three in a row is never easy, and it’s tough on everyone—players, coaches, and fans alike. We know we have to turn things around.
**Interviewer:** In the match against Hodai, you had some impressive moments, including multiple touchdown passes. What do you think went right during the game?
**Shinraku:** There were definitely some bright spots. We showed flashes of skill, especially during our offensive plays. I felt good connecting with my receivers, and that touchdown pass to Igarashi really highlighted our hard work in practice this season.
**Interviewer:** Despite those moments of brilliance, Hodai’s strong performance ultimately sealed the game. Where do you think the team struggled the most?
**Shinraku:** I think our defense had some issues. We had trouble stopping their offensive flow, especially during critical moments. It felt like we were caught off guard at times, and that can be detrimental against a team like Hodai. We need to work on that.
**Interviewer:** As you look forward to the upcoming match against Waseda University, how are you and the team preparing to bounce back?
**Shinraku:** It’s all about regrouping and focusing on the basics. We’re analyzing what went wrong in our previous games and working hard during practice to tighten up our plays. The goal is to finish the season strong, and I believe that we can do it. Our seniors want to leave a legacy.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned your hopes for the upcoming match. With only one game left in the season, what’s your message to the fans and your teammates?
**Shinraku:** To our fans, thank you for your unwavering support, even during these tough times. To my teammates, let’s put in the work this week, trust in each other, and give everything we have in that final game. We owe it to ourselves to go out there and fight until the end.
**Interviewer:** Well said, Shinraku! Best of luck to you and the Griffins in your next match. We’re all rooting for you!
**Shinraku:** Thank you! We won’t disappoint!