American Football - pre-match analysis

Published on 5^th February 2010 in American Football, Varsity. 3 comments.

We’re all familiar with the Jocks and Cheerleaders formula from countless American teen movies, but this weekend will see the cliché become a reality in Nottingham at the ground of the Harvey Hadden stadium.

This Sunday sees the arrival of the newest fixture on the Varsity Calendar when the newly formed Nottingham University Outlaws take on the Nottingham Trent Renegades at the Harvey Hadden Stadium at 1pm. The fixture coincidentally falls on the same day as the biggest American Football fixture of the year; the Superbowl. The Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints go into the clash with very similar season records, however, the Nottingham sides will enter their fixture with completely opposing records. The Outlaws have 1 victory with 3 losses whilst the Renegades hold 3 wins to 1 loss.

I was lucky enough to spend some time with Tobi Majekodunmi, the University’s talented Running Back who gave me the heads up on his journey with American Football at Nottingham and what to expect from Sunday’s spectacle. “My journey began out of curiosity and a feeling of Sunday boredom” he noted, “I kept smashing Bobby Ogunode (former Nigerian American Football player) at Madden and I thought it was time to make a change”. So Tobi went out, excelled at the ‘British Bulldog’ task in the first training session and his love for the game blossomed from then on. It is this dedication that has led Tobi into contention for a place in the reputed ‘shuffled Nottingham pack’, a necessity in the face of a growing injury list.

I was keen to find out what we can expect from the new-look Outlaws side; “We bash them up with our running team but we still have good receivers, I would say we are the Cowboys”. Although both sides respective records indicate that it could be a somewhat one-sided affair, I was reassured by Majekodunmi that if Nottingham “turn up on the day, then Trent don’t have a chance…Trent are going to get abused.” I was also informed of some key players to watch; freshman Pete Kaminski (Running Back) getting a special mention as the Outlaws seek to sow the seeds for future success. However, arguably the Outlaw’s star-player by all accounts is James ‘Biceps’ Beaufort or ‘Bo’ (Line Backer) as he is affectionately known. Rumours of an England call-up along with the breaking of several opposition bones this season suggest that the chances of an Outlaws victory may rest primarily upon this man’s shoulders, or indeed arms.

For Tobi or ‘Voodoo’ as he is known on the roster for the dark magic he brings to the pitch, Sunday will provide the big stage he feels the Outlaws need in order to progress. “The crowd need to get behind us…when Trent are attacking shout “defence” really loud and when we are attacking just raise the roof”. And as for preparation? “KFC and a prayer before the game, mixed in with DMX and a few slaps here and there”. Good to see the Yankee influence has well and truly worn off on them…. And finally watch out for Tobi’s much practised touchdown celebration; the American equivalent of Peter Crouch’s ‘robot’ in his ‘You’re a jerk’, apparently a type of ritualistic, hip-hop dance.

I left my time with ‘Voodoo’ feeling reassured for the future of American Football in Nottingham and the East Midlands in general. Sunday should prove to be an intriguing encounter, a great pre-cursor to the Superbowl party at Hooters, Sunday night at 11.30 pm.

Nic Patmore