BUAFL KICKOFF WEEKEND 2007
Edem Goka Scores Three TDs In First Game

Running back Edem Goka (161 from 15 attempts and 2 touchdowns) scores his first career touchdowns as the Stallions put 38 points on the board at Nottingham.

Goka rushed in from 38 and 65 yards and also scored on a kickoff return of 75 yards at the start of the second half. Ben Rowan (2 completions for 60 yards and 2 touchdowns) doubled his season high touchdowns with passes of 18 and 42 yards to James Walker and Chris Ward respectively, and defensive captain Gary Richardson added a 21-yard interception return in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Simon Denning scored Nottingham’s sole touchdown to open the scoring from two yards before Staffordshire started to take control of the ball game.

Starting running back Omar Augustin pull out of the game with an ankle injury at the start of the second quarter allowing Goka to replace him and become a hassle for the Nottingham defence rushing for big gains that eventually lead to scores.

The running back scored his first touchdown half way through the second quarter sweeping right before out sprinting linebackers and corners up the right sideline to put the Stallions ahead by seven, before returning the opening kickoff of the second half to the end zone to extend the Stallions lead to 14.

Goka’s pace surprised the Outlaw defence when he had space to read the holes as his quick feet and duking style sprung him free on more than one occasion, offering something different then previous running backs had. The offensive line of Rob Pickerill, Graham Roberts, Peter Buckley, Graham Fellows and rookie David Orr deserve credit in helping Goka break free by picking up blitz and driving the Outlaw d-line backwards.

Once Goka had scored to put Nottingham 14 points down at the beginning of the second half Nottingham had to begin taking more risk as the Stallions had prevailed in shutting down the running and passing game in the late stages of the second quarter.

Jonathan Wood, starting his first game at free safety, picked Denning of twice after the Stallions had gone in front. It should have been three picks, however Roberts got called for pass interference wiping out the wide out as the ball was in the air.

Denning tried to get his passes off but pressure from the defensive line often forced him to throw early or take the sack. Once late in the fourth quarter he got called for intentional grounding as Ward and Orr was taking him to the ground.

Stallions QB Ben Rowan, who has thrown an 18 yard pass to tie the ball game up in the first quarter, hooked up with Tight End Chris Ward late in the third on a 42-yard pass to put the Stallions further in front, much to the delight of the whole team.

With ten minutes left in the game and on their own 20 yard line Denning again tried to connect with the wide out on the right side. This time Richardson picked the pass off before returning the ball for a 21 yard interception return touchdown and after a delay the officials signalled for a touchdown.

The defensive score meant that the Stallions scored on all three sides of the ball for the first time since 2005 when Sheffield Hallam travelled to the stables.

Ed Goka rounded up the scoring this time with a 65 yard run up the middle of the field, allowing Coach Charles and Coach Steele to let the rookies gain experience on the field in the final few minutes.

MVPs: Rookie - David Orr, Special Teams - Lee Lewis, Defensive - Gary Richardson, Offense - Offense Line and Full Back, Game - Edem Goka

Notes: The Stallions played in the Staffordshire Surge blue strip as both teams home kit is white - Nottingham in the return fixture will have to play in a alternative colour as Staffordshire would be the home team.

This is the second highest opening day victory for the Stallions. In the College Bowl year Staffordshire put 44 points on the board against Aberystwyth.

Staffordshire in the past four years have gone 2-2 in the opening game of the year. Last year the Stallions lost 20-2 against Oxford at the Stables.

Loughborough are the next opponents for the Stallions on November 11th at Loughborough.

Sunday, November 4th 2007