#3: ALL INDIA INTER UNIVERSITY AMERICAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 2015 – All-Punjab Final

Vishnu Ravi Shankar, Patiala, Punjab, 28^th February 2015: The semi-finals for the Division I tackle football teams at the 1^st All India Inter University American Football Championship 2015 provided quality entertainment to the crowd at Punjabi University, Patiala. The first semi-final was between Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (GNDU) and Osmania University, Hyderabad (OU), both of whom had impressed in their quarterfinal matches. The first quarter saw an 80-yard touchdown on a punt return by GNDU player Riar and the team managed to convert the field goal opportunity as well for an extra point. In the second quarter, both teams displayed solid defense and the scores remained unchanged. OU came back into the game with a 5-yard touchdown by their running back Sandri Sai followed by conversion of the field goal opportunity. With the game tied heading into the fourth quarter, GNDU player Sood scored a 40-yard touchdown and the team scored the field goal as well. Toward the end of the game, OU running back Sandri Sai scored again with a 30-yard touchdown with an opportunity to tie the game with a field goal. However, OU went for the win and tried to gain 2 points by advancing the ball. The team failed to complete the pass and GNDU managed to hold on for a 14-13 victory in a nail-biting encounter.

The second semi-final was between hosts Punjabi University, Patiala (PUP) and M.D. University, Rohtak (MDU). MDU began the game aggressively on the offensive end with multiple attempts at a touchdown. However, PUP played strong defense and managed to thwart MDU’s attempts in the first quarter. MDU kept the momentum going in the second quarter with MDU player Lakshya scoring a 15-yard touchdown entering the second quarter. This was followed by 30-yard touchdown by MDU player Rahul in the same quarter. The team failed to covert their field goal attempts following the touchdowns. Down 12-0 going into the second half, PUP fought back with a 40-yard touchdown by PUP player Anmol in the third quarter and a subsequent field goal conversion. Anmol was the hero for the host team scoring again with a 15-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to give PUP a 1-point lead in the game. PUP maintained their narrow lead for the rest of the game to seal a berth in the final on 2 March 2015 where they will face state rivals GNDU, Amritsar.

Earlier in the day, the flag football semi-finals were played. The first match between city rivals Jaipur National University and JECRC University, Jaipur was a tightly contested affair with little difference between the two teams. The first half was won by JECRC University who scored all their 22 points before halftime. With the halftime score at 22-13 in favour of JECRC, Jaipur National University dominated the second half by scoring 2 touchdowns and taking a slender lead. Jaipur National University displayed strong defense to shut down JECRC and pulled away to qualify for the flag football final.

The second flag football semi-final between Gujarat University, Ahmedabad and Shisha O Anusandhan University, Bhubhaneshwar was a one-sided affair with Gujarat University completed dominating the game in both halves. Gujarat University are now through to the flag football final to be played on 2 March 2015 where they will face Jaipur National University. The losers of the semi-final matches also squared off to decide 3^rd place. The game was comfortably won by JECRC University, Jaipur who defeated Shiksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubhaneshwar 34-14.

Results from Day 2:

Flag football semi-finals:

1.     Jaipur National University bt JECRC University, Jaipur: 25-22

2.     Gujarat University, Ahmedabad bt Shiksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubhaneshwar: 18-0

Flag football 3^rd and 4^th place match:

JECRC University, Jaipur bt Shiksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubhaneshwar: 34-14

Tackle football semi-finals:

1.     Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar bt Osmania University, Hyderabad: 14-13 (7-0, 0-0, 0-7, 7-6)

2.     Punjabi University, Patiala bt M.D. University, Rohtak: 13-12 (0-0, 0-12, 7-0, 6-0)

About the Elite Football League of India University

For the first time in India, select universities are competing in an All India Inter University American Football Championship. Going by the name of the ‘Elite Bowl 2015’, the tournament is being organized by the Elite Football League of India and Association of Indian Universities, along with hosts, Punjabi University, Patiala. There are 16 teams participating in the first version of the tournament in India from all across the country.

The tournament is being played on grounds specially designed for American Football, complete with line-marking and goal posts. The sixteen teams have been divided into two divisions - Division I teams will play tackle football and Division II teams will play flag football.  Tackle football for the better teams in Division I will be played in full American Football protective gear, while flag football played by the Division II teams is devoid of the protective gear.

Complete list of teams taking part in the Elite Bowl 2015 are as follows:

Division I teams:

1.     Bangalore University, Bangalore

2.     Osmania University, Hyderabad

3.     Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

4.     Jain University, Bangalore

5.     M.D. University, Rohtak

6.     University of Madras, Chennai

7.     Punjabi University, Patiala

8.     Lovely Professional University, Phagwara

Division II teams:

1.     Auro University, Surat

2.     Gujarat University, Ahmedabad

3.     Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Agra

4.     Shiksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubhaneshwar

5.     Chandigarh University, Gharuan

6.     Jaipur National University

7.     JECRC University, Jaipur

8.     Poornima University, Jaipur

About Association of Indian Universities

The idea of bringing together all the universities on a common platform emerged from the deliberations of a Conference of the Vice Chancellors of Universities convened by Lord Reading, the then Viceroy of India at Shimla in 1924. The Inter-University Board (IUB) of India was subsequently formed on March 23, 1925, with the view of promoting university activities, especially by way of sharing information and co-operation in the field of education, culture, sports and allied areas. The Inter-University Board acquired a legal status with its registration in 1967 as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. In 1973, it assumed its present name: The Association of Indian Universities (AIU). The membership includes traditional universities, open universities, professional universities, Institutes of National Importance and deemed-to-be universities. In addition, there is a provision of granting of Associate Membership to universities of neighbouring countries.