The American Bowl
College Football All-Star Game | Where Professional Football Careers are Earned
The American Bowl
College Football All-Star Game | Where Professional Football Careers are Earned
THE INAUGURAL AMERICAN BOWL
The Inaugural American Bowl was a close contest decided by a game winning 2-minute drive, leading the Warhawks (coached by Brian Billick) to a 7-6 victory. Jacob Clark (QB, MO State) marched the Warhawks down the field efficiently completing big passes to Wes Grimes (WR, NC State), Junior Vanderross (WR, Toledo) and Chamon Metayer (TE, ASU) to get into the red zone. As time wound down, Clark found a familiar face, Shomari Lawrence, (RB, MO State) who brought it to the 5 yard line on a short check down. With just seconds remaining following an incompletion, Clark powered a quick slant into Wes Grimes for the games only TD to tie the score at 6-6. Kansei Matsuzawa, aka “The Tokyo Toe” slammed the game winning extra point through the uprights to seal the game for the Warhawks, and end the game in a thrilling fashion.
Warhawk Quarterback, Dequan Finn, #10, runs for a 1st down during a critical fourth down conversion in the final quarter of the American Bowl
Other game standouts
included great rushing performances from Lincoln Pare (RB, TX State), Jamal Haynes (RB, Georgia Tech), and Curtis Allen (Harlon Hill winning RB from Virginia Union.) Defensively we saw sacks from Sebastian Harsh (DE, NC State), TJ Guy (DE, Michigan), and Isaiah Smith (DE, SMU.) Multiple QB sacks were recorded by FCS standout AJ Pena (DE, Rhode Island) with two. The games only turnovers were caused by TJ Guy (forced fumble) and defensive MVP, Nasir Bowers (DB, Toledo), who had an early INT that saved the Warhawks from an early deficit. Bowers, a native to Lakeland, FL, played his final collegiate snap just a few miles from his high school stadium in front of dozens of his local friends and family in attendance.
The game was broadcast live on the NFL Network,
And was produced by Tupelo Honey with hundreds of thousands of viewers internationally. Play by play was called by Mike Morgan while the color commentary from Brian “Baldy” Baldinger was an awesome addition. Sideline correspondent Gabriella Kreuz covered field level interviews and was exceptional in her first appearance on NFL Network. Just days prior to kickoff, the National Football League officially added the American Bowl to the league’s calendar, affirming that this college all-star game meets the rigorous standards and expectations of the NFL.
Head Coaches Brian Billick (Warhawks, Left) and Mike Smith (Guardians, Right) embrace after the last second victory in the Inaugural American Bowl.
Kansei Matsuzawa (K, Hawaii) sets up for the game winning extra point with seconds remaining in the Inaugural American Bowl.
The American Bowl owner, Scott Phillips, of Cleveland, Ohio, expects that the American Bowl will return to Florida in January 2027 and continuity of leadership with head coaches Mike Smith and Brian Billick, along with Director of Football Operations, Christian Covyeau, and Director of of Hospitality and Logistics, Natalie Chifulini to remain in tact for the upcoming season.