Английская Википедия:2015 Birmingham Bulls season
Шаблон:Use dmy dates Шаблон:Infobox NFL team season
The 2015 Birmingham Bulls season was the team's 32nd season in competitive British American Football. It was also the first season under rookie Head Coach Mark Pagett and Chairman Richard Penwright, whilst Rob Amor returned for a fifth year as Club Secretary. The Bulls entered the 2015 season in the second tier following a league restructure, and were considered by some to be favourites for post-season success and immediate promotion back to the top tier.[1]
Following the departure of the previous coaching staff, former player Matt Sheldon was appointed as Offensive coordinator,[2] while Alan Steel, departing the Coventry Jets, was appointed as Defensive coordinator.[3] Coaches Mark Webb and Paul Roberts were retained in their role as Special Teams and Defensive Back coaches respectively.
Part way through the season, Offensive coordinator Matt Sheldon stepped down from his role and was replaced by O-Line coach Gary Hodgen. Despite early season promise, including an away win against the eventual league champions Farnham Knights, a five-game losing streak put paid to any notion of post-season football in 2015.[4]
Recruitment
Following successful recruitment sessions in the winter of 2014,[5] several rookies joined the team, along with former players returning from playing in Europe.[6]
Rookies
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| FS | Dotun Ademiju |
| ILB | Mohammed Awil |
| WR | Joshua Boulton |
| DE | Matthew Brown |
| CB | Elliott Forster |
| DE | Gavin Henry |
| OLB | Dominic Taylor |
| OLB | Simon Taylor |
| DE | Jay Willis |
Transfers
| Position | Player | Previous Team |
|---|---|---|
| OLB | Dimeji Ademiju | Walney Terriers |
| FS | Oheeul Choudhury | Coventry Jets |
| WR | Marc Henry | Yorkshire Rams |
| OL | Andrew Kane | Glasgow Lions |
| OL | Tom Levick | Lura Bulls |
| CB | Calum Roberts | Colchester Gladiators |
| DT | Scott Robinson | Coventry Jets |
| K | Luca Zigliani | Lazio Marines |
Staff
|
Head coach
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams
|
Playing staff
Final roster
Birmingham Bulls 2016
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Quarterbacks
Running backs & Full backs
Wide receivers & Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
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Special teams
Injured Reserve
Rookies in italics. | ||||||||||||||||
Statistics
Offence
| Category | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | Dan Wilkes | 204 |
| Passing TDs | Richard Penwright & Dan Wilkes | 1 |
| Rushing Yards | Mark Bonazebi | 1206 |
| Rushing TDs | Mark Bonazebi | 14 |
| Receiving Yards | Michael Beaty | 187 |
| Receiving TDs | Michael Doyle & Mark Bonazebi | 1 |
Defence
| Category | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Tackles | Olu Amudipe | 57 |
| Solo Tackles | Olu Amudipe | 29 |
| Sacks | Olu Amudipe | 6.5 |
| Interceptions | Gareth Thomas | 8 |
| Forced Fumbles | Jake Harbon, Domeni White, Lee Macken | 2 |
| Fumble Recoveries | Olu Amudipe & Stephen Stoakes | 2 |
Special teams
| Category | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | Luca Zigliani | 1 |
| Punt Yards | Luca Zigliani | 1317 |
| Kick Return Yards | Gareth Thomas | 304 |
| Punt Return Yards | Gareth Thomas | 240 |
Bulls players set or equalled several team records throughout the 2015 season. Mark Bonazebi recorded 1206 rushing yards, the most in Bulls history, and his 93-yard run against the Hertfordshire Cheetahs was the longest in team history.[7] Gareth Thomas' 9 total takeaways was a new Bulls season record, and his 4 interceptions against the Hertfordshire Cheetahs was a record for most single game takeaways and interceptions. His 8 total interceptions equalled Hall of Famer Paul Roberts' single season record. His 125 punt return yards against the East Kent Mavericks was also a single-game record for the Bulls.[8]
Award Winners
The Bulls held their annual awards night on 20 September 2015.[9]
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Team MVP | Mark Bonazebi |
| Player's Player | Mark Bonazebi |
| Offensive MVP | Mark Bonazebi |
| Defensive MVP | Gareth Thomas |
| Special teams MVP | Gareth Thomas |
| Coaches' MVP | Richard Penwright |
| Offensive Development Award | David Pemberton |
| Defensive Development Award | Stephen Stoakes |
Schedule
Preseason
| Week | Opponent | Result | Record | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry Jets | L 0–20 | 0–1 | Erin Go Bragh |
Regular season
| Week | Opponent | Result | Record | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ouse Valley Eagles | L 14–21 | 0–1 | Erin Go Bragh |
| 2 | at Cambridgeshire Cats | W 34–12 | 1–1 | Coldham's Common |
| 3 | Hertfordshire Cheetahs | W 17-9 | 2–1 | Erin Go Bragh |
| 4 | at Farnham Knights | W 28-26 | 3–1 | Farnham RUFC |
| 5 | Colchester Gladiators | L 7-9 | 3–2 | Erin Go Bragh |
| 6 | Solent Thrashers | L 7-10 | 3–3 | Erin Go Bragh |
| 7 | at East Kent Mavericks | L 0-14 | 3–4 | Simon Langton Boys School |
| 8 | at Hertfordshire Cheetahs | L 8-28 | 3–5 | St Albans Rugby Club |
| 9 | at Ouse Valley Eagles | L 18-23 | 3–6 | Bedford International Athletics Stadium |
| 10 | Cambridgeshire Cats | W 50-0 | 4–6 | Erin Go Bragh |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game Notes
Week 1: vs Ouse Valley Eagles
The Bulls lost a narrow opener to the visiting Ouse Valley Eagles by one score following a controversial touchdown at the end of the second quarter. The Eagles capitalised on Bulls turnovers in the fourth quarter to pull away and secure an opening day victory.[10]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulls | 0 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 14 |
| Eagles | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
Passers
- Dan Wilkes: 0/4, 0 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
- Stuart Williams: 0/13, 0 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
Rushers
- Rob Brown: 14 carries, 85 yards, 0 TDs
- Marc Bonazebi: 3 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD
Defenders
- Jake Harbon: 10 total tackles, 7 solo, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD
- Jack Pemberton: 5 total tackles, 4 solo, 2 INTs, 1 break up
- Stephen Stoakes: 6 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 FF
- Dominic Taylor: 7 total tackles, 6 solo
Шаблон:Collapse bottom
Week 2: at Cambridgeshire Cats
The Bulls travelled to Cambridge and won comfortably thanks to a strong ground attack from Rob Brown and Mark Bonazebi and pass rush from the defensive line.[11]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulls | 0 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 34 |
| Cats | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 |
Passers
- Dan Wilkes: 3/12, 27 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Rushers
- Rob Brown: 20 carries, 157 yards, 3 TDs
- Marc Bonazebi: 21 carries, 114 yards, 2 TDs
Receivers
- Kieron Hinds: 1 rec, 14 yards, 0 TD
Defenders
- Scott Robinson: 4 total tackles, 3 solo, 3 sacks, 1 FR
- Lee Macken: 3 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 FF
- Jake Harbon: 10 total tackles, 5 solo, 0.5 sacks
- Tom Durn: 1 total tackle, 1 solo, 1.5 sacks
Шаблон:Collapse bottom
Week 3: vs Hertfordshire Cheetahs
Back at home, the Bulls secondary stepped up in a big way, picking the ball off seven times, including four interceptions by cornerback Gareth Thomas, while Bonazebi again carried the offence to move the Bulls to 3-1.[12]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulls | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Cheetahs | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 9 |
Passers
- Dan Wilkes: 3/15, 56 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Rushers
- Marc Bonazebi: 27 carries, 155 yards, 1 TD
Receivers
- Michael Beaty: 2 rec, 52 yards, 0 TD
Defenders
- Gareth Thomas: 0 tackles, 4 INT, 2 break ups
- Dominic Taylor: 3 total tackles, 1 solo, 1 INT, 1 TD
- Olu Amudipe: 7 total tackles, 3 solo, 1.5 sacks
- Jack Pemberton: 4 total tackles, 2 solo, 1 INT
Шаблон:Collapse bottom
Week 4: at Farnham Knights
The Bulls travelled to the favoured Knights but a 300+ yard display by running back Bonazebi paired with a last second pick by Thomas meant the Bulls came away with a signature win.[13]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulls | 6 | 0 | 16 | 6 | 28 |
| Knights | 0 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 26 |
Passers
- Dan Wilkes: 1/12, 16 yards, 0 TD, 4 INT
Rushers
- Marc Bonazebi: 32 carries, 310 yards, 4 TD
Receivers
- Michael Beaty: 1 rec, 16 yards, 0 TD
Defenders
- Gareth Thomas: 6 total tackles, 6 solo, 1 INT, 1 break up
- Jake Harbon: 7 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 INT, 1 break up
- Jack Pemberton: 4 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 INT, 1 break up
- Dotun Ademiju: 4 total tackles, 2 solo, 1 sack
Шаблон:Collapse bottom
Week 5: vs Colchester Gladiators
The Bulls came back down to earth with a bump, and despite signs of an improving passing game, a number of turnovers brought an end to the Bulls' winning streak.[14][15]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulls | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Gladiators | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
Passers
- Dan Wilkes: 2/15, 82 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushers
- Marc Bonazebi: 33 carries, 97 yards, 0 TD
Receivers
- Marc Bonazebi: 1 rec, 47 yards, 1 TD
- Michael Beaty: 1 rec, 35 yards, 0 TD
Defenders
- Tom Durn: 8 total tackles, 7 solo, 1 FF
- Domeni White: 5 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 FF, 1 break up
- Stephen Stoakes: 5 total tackles, 1 solo, 1 FR
- Dotun Ademiju: 6 total tackles, 3 solo, 2 break ups
Шаблон:Collapse bottom
Week 6: vs Solent Thrashers
The Bulls defence remained stout holding the visiting Thrashers to well below their season average, but a struggling offence meant back-to-back losses for the first time in 2015.[16]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulls | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Thrashers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Passers
- Dan Wilkes: 4/9, 23 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Rushers
- Marc Bonazebi: 21 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD
Receivers
- Michael Beaty: 4 rec, 23 yards, 0 TD
Defenders
- Jack Pemberton: 3 total tackles, 2 solo, 1 INT, 2 break ups
- Dotun Ademiju: 5 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 FR, 1 break up
- Olu Amudipe: 5 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 break up
- Gareth Thomas: 5 total tackles, 1 solo, 1 INT
Шаблон:Collapse bottom
Week 7: at East Kent Mavericks
The Bulls made the long trip as heavy favourites but were shut out on offence for the first time since July 2014 in a hard-fought defensive battle.[17]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mavericks | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Passers
- Richard Penwright: 6/15, 63 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Rushers
- Marcus Rey: 12 carries, 44 yards, 0 TD
Receivers
- Michael Beaty: 2 rec, 46 yards, 0 TD
Defenders
- Jake Harbon: 10 total tackles, 7 solo, 1 INT, 1 FF
- Olu Amudipe: 7 total tackles, 4 solo, 1 sack, 1 breakup
- Gareth Thomas: 3 total tackles, 1 solo, 1 INT, 2 breakups
- Adam Fleet: 8 total tackles, 5 solo, 0.5 sacks
Шаблон:Collapse bottom
Week 8: at Hertfordshire Cheetahs
The Bulls struggled on a hot day in St. Albans and fell to their third straight defeat putting their play-off chances in jeopardy.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Cheetahs | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
Passers
- Richard Penwright: 1/3, 5 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
- Daniel Maher: 2/16, 12 yards, 0 TD, 2 INTs
Rushers
- Marcus Rey: 3 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD
- Mark Bonazebi: 11 carries, 108 yards, 0 TD
Receivers
- Marcus Rey: 1 rec, 11 yards, 0 TD
Defenders
- Dotun Ademiju: 6 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 sack, 3 break ups
- Jack Pemberton: 5 total tackles, 4 solo, 1 INT
- Adam Fleet: 7 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 FF
- Ilya Kaznachyeev: 10 total tackles, 9 solo
Шаблон:Collapse bottom
Week 9: at Ouse Valley Eagles
A Bulls squad decimated by injury travelled to Bedford and kept it close in a rain-soaked return fixture against their divisional rivals, but ended their hopes of play off football with another defeat.[18]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulls | 0 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 18 |
| Eagles | 17 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 21 |
Passers
- Richard Penwright: 8/15, 67 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushers
- Mark Bonazebi: 38 carries, 166 yards, 2 TDs
Receivers
- Michael Doyle: 1 rec, 47 yards, 1 TD
Defenders
- Olu Amudipe: 5 total tackles, 4 solo, 2 sacks, 2 FR
- Gareth Thomas: 4 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 INT, 1 FF, 3 break ups
- Simon Taylor: 5 total tackles, 4 solo, 1 FF
- Dotun Ademiju: 3 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 FF, 1 break up
Шаблон:Collapse bottom
Week 10: vs Cambridgeshire Cats
The Bulls stopped the rot on the final day of the season by shutting out the already-relegated Cambridgeshire Cats at home and putting up their highest score of the season.[19]
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulls | 14 | 6 | 22 | 8 | 50 |
| Cats | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Passers
- Richard Penwright: 1/5, 8 Yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Rushers
- Mark Bonazebi: 14 carries, 146 yards, 3 TD
- Dean Thomas: 5 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD
- Michael Doyle: 3 carries, 22 yards, 1 TD
Receivers
- Michael Beaty: 1 rec, 8 yards, 0 TD
Defenders
- Marcus Rey: 4 total tackles, 2 solo, 2 INT, 1 TD, 1 break up
- Lee Macken: 4 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 FF
- Dan Williams: 5 total tackles, 4 solo, 1 FR
- Gareth Thomas: 2 total tackles, 1 solo, 1 FR, 2 break ups
Notes
External links
- ↑ DC Writers Preseason Picks: BAFA National Leagues
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Birmingham Bulls vs Cats preview
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Defense shines as Bulls beat Cheetahs
- ↑ Bulls put Knights to the sword
- ↑ Bulls look to reignite playoff push
- ↑ Gladiators win defensive battle
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Mavericks defence shutout Bulls, taking home another win
- ↑ Full time. Eagles 21-14 Bulls
- ↑ Birmingham Bulls 50-0 Cambridgeshire Cats
