The 2024/25 BUCS American Football season got off to a blistering start this past weekend, as the 3 time national champions University of West England Bullets were shot down by the University of Nottingham Gold in the opening game of the newly formatted National League on Saturday evening at Hillside Gardens, Bristol.
The Bullets, unbeaten in both regular and post season play since before Covid became a thing, and undefeated at Hillside for 8 years, fell to a 21-20 defeat in a pulsating game that was a fabulous advert for university football and a vindication of BUCS decision to bring together the best teams from the old Premier North and South into a single, nationwide league. It was a game of high quality football and exciting plays, right up with some of the very best ever seen in the British game.
The bonfire night fireworks came a week early as Gold quarterback and Dartmouth College alumnus Dylan Cadwallader threw for 250 yards and 3 TDs, spreading the ball around to an outstanding group of receivers including former Stanford Cardinal receiver and track athlete Silas Starr, current Great Britain tight end Finley Old, New Yorker Lions wideout Jonathan Mbanefo and University of Puget Sound graduate Jack Bonicatto. The Nottingham defense, led by ex Pitzer College Sagehen Garrett Pittman and Colby College Mule Ty Robbins, after conceding two early touchdowns, stiffened to prove almost unbreakable for the final three quarters, keeping the Gold outfit in the game and enabling Cadwallader to deliver the coup de grace with just 20 seconds left. The Bullets shot themselves in the foot throughout the game with flashes of indiscipline both on the field and on the side line leading to a number of crucial penalties which either hampered their own progress on offense or extended Gold drives.
Bullets Boss the First Quarter
The Bullets began the game strongly, driving down the field on the opening possession behind the strong running of 6'6'' quarterback Donovan Isom of Texas Wesleyan University and multiple professional European teams, and Josh Breece of the Paderborn Dolphins. Those two players combined for the touchdown pass which gave the Bullets the lead at the end of that drive, and a successful two point conversion made the score 8-0. A slow start for the Gold was made worse when their opening drive ended in a blocked punt, with Bullets Belgian running back Abel Mampaka making them pay with a rushing touchdown shortly afterwards. The two point conversion attempt failed on this occasion, leaving the score at 14-0 to the Bullets at the end of the first quarter.
The Fightback Begins
Things began to turn around in the second quarter. A promising Bullets drive featuring Jax Crawford stalled due to an ineligible man downfield penalty and a huge Ty Robbins sack. The ensuing Gold drive looked like it was going to generate points until a Finley Old fumble deep in UWE territory halted their progress. The change of momentum in the air was palpable as UWE then went three and out. A poor punt gave Nottingham great field position, but they couldn't move the chains and a mid-range field goal attempt missed wide left. Once again, the Gold defense stood firm and forced a Bullets punt, then had to retake the field with little rest following a quick interception. The defensive momentum that Nottingham had created continued as their D-line caused problems for UWE, culminating in another Robbins sack and another Bullets punt. This gave the Gold offense one last opportunity before half time, and they did not disappoint. On first down, with around 30 seconds left in the half, Cadwallader escaped the pocket to his right and threw deep down the side line to Silas Starr, who slipped two tacklers and sprinted into the end zone for a 56 yard TD reception. Luke Roberts added the PAT to make the score 14-7 to UWE at the half.
Teams Exchange Touchdowns
The University of Nottingham received the second half kick off and put together perhaps their best drive so far. The makeshift O-line, superbly marshalled by another Colby College player, center Nick Mueller, began to give Cadwallader time to find his receivers. They marched down the field close to the Bullets defensive red zone with some great intermediate throw-and-catches only to stall as the field shrank, eventually turning the ball over on a fourth down sack from the Bullets Oregon import Elijah Williams. UWE looked to be regaining momentum, and their composure, as they put together a balanced drive which culminated in a second Isom to Breece touchdown pass. Disaster struck for UWE on the two point conversion attempt though, as quarterback Donovan Isom took a big hit whilst carrying the ball short of the end zone and had to leave the game with a suspected concussion. That left the scoreline at 20 -7 in favour of the Bullets. At this point the game could have got away from Nottingham, but a taunting penalty negated a big sack early on the next Gold drive, and Cadwallader later connected with Jack Bonicatto on a huge third down reception to keep the drive alive. Cadwallader then connected with Finley Old on a post route over the middle for a 15 yard touchdown. Luke Roberts again added the extra point to reduce the deficit to 20 -14.
A Battle to the Finish
Into the fourth quarter both teams were having to dip into their backup players in key positions. UWE had South Carolina native Josh Petrie now in at quarterback, and the University of Nottingham had several defensive starters now sidelined. The game developed into a brutal battle for field position, and the two defenses made play after play. Both teams punted twice as we headed into the final four minutes. At this point the Bullets just needed to put together a time consuming drive to see out the game, but their indiscipline and a solid Gold defense put paid to that. A tripping penalty and a holding call pushed the Bullets back deep in their own half, the Nottingham defense held them there and forced them to punt for the fifth time in the game. With that, Cadwallader and his offense had one final chance with around 40 seconds left to play. Incredibly, the Texan scrambled to his right, saw that Finley Old had slipped his coverage downfield and launched a 50 yard pass over the defense and into the hands of the Nottingham tight end. Old was tackled around the three yard line with roughly 20 seconds on the clock, giving Gold a gilt-edged opportunity to win the game. After an incomplete pass on first and goal, Cadwallader hit Silas Starr in the end zone on second down, tying the game and sending the travelling Nottingham support crazy. Nothing was yet guaranteed though, as the PAT was needed to take the lead. As it was, the special teams unit featuring Jack Redhead at long snapper, Garrett Pittman at holder and Luke Roberts at kicker was perfect again, the kick sailing through the posts to give Nottingham their first lead of the game, 21-20. There was time for Bullets quarterback Josh Petrie to throw one desperation deep pass, but Gold safety Lewis Groom had read the play and came up with the game-sealing interception.
Post-Game Thoughts
Nottingham Gold quarterback Dylan Cadwallader was named the game's MVP. He offered his thoughts on the game, 'The game was never out of reach.. We've got a good side line, a good group of guys. We believe in ourselves, and we believe in our coaches.. We expect to win, week in, week out. We start here, and the only way is up.' Gold Head Coach Jason Scott was not looking too far ahead, 'We've not won any trophies today. We're 1-0, that's all.. We'll keep our feet on the ground.. We'll watch some tape on Tuesday and get ready for Durham.'
In the other National League game this weekend Loughborough University hosted Leeds Beckett University and claimed a 30-6 victory. The Durham University Saints had a bye week.
Next weekend, UWE will look to get their season back on track when they travel to Leeds Beckett, whilst Nottingham will venture up to Durham for what is another huge game.
Words by Guerrero, images courtesy of Bucssport
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