IBM Big Blue (X-League)

Last updated
IBM Big Blue
Established1976
Based in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Head coachKevin Craft
General managerShinzo Yamada
League X-League
DivisionX1 Super
Colours    
Blue, black, grey, and white [1]
Division titles2, (2001 and 2015)
Website http://www.bigblue-football.com/

The IBM Big Blue are an American football team located in the Tsukuba, Ibaraki. They are a member of the X-League.

Contents

Team history

Seasons

X-League Champions (1987–present)Division ChampionsFinal Stage/Semifinals BerthWild Card /2nd Stage Berth
SeasonLeagueDivisionRegular SeasonPost Season ResultsAwardsHead coaches
FinishWinsLossesTies
1997X2Central3rd320
1998X2Central3rd320
1999X2Central3rd320
2000X2Central2nd401
2001X2Central1st500
2002X1East5th141Matoba
2003X1East6th050David Stant
2004X1East4th231 David Stant
2005X1Central3rd410David Stant
2006X1East3rd420David Stant
2007X1Central3rd520
2008X1Central3rd520
2009X1East3rd430Lost 2nd match (Panasonic Denko) 7-49
Lost 2nd stage match (Obic) 14-44		Shinzo Yamada
2010X1East2nd620Won 2nd match (Suita) 42-10
Lost 2nd stage match (Obic) 27-55
Lost final stage match (Panasonic) 28-31		Shinzo Yamada
2011X1Central4th340Won 2nd stage relegation match (Fuji Xerox) 70-14
Won 2nd stage relegation match (Meiji Yasuda) 38-8		Shinzo Yamada
2012X1Central3rd430Lost 2nd stage match (Panasonic Impulse) 17-34
Won 2nd stage match (Nojima Sagamihara) 48-17 [2] 		Kevin Craft (ROY)Shinzo Yamada
2013X1Central3rd430Lost 2nd stage match (Panasonic) 24-55
Won 2nd stage match (Kashima) 56-35 [3] 		Shinzo Yamada
2014X1Central2nd620Won 2nd stage match (at Asahi Soft Drinks) 37-10 [4]
Won 2nd stage match (at Lixil) 38-10 [5]
Won Final stage match (Lixil) 69-54 [6]
Lost Japan X Bowl XXVIII (at Fujitsu) 10-44		Shinzo Yamada
2015X1East1st430Lost 2nd stage match (at Obic) 26-34 [7]
Won 2nd stage match (at Asahi Soft Drinks) 37-20		Shinzo Yamada
2016X1East2nd630Won Quarterfinals match (at LIXIL) 37-16
Lost semi-finals match (at Fujitsu) 26-28		Shinzo Yamada
2017X1Central2nd730Won Quarterfinals match (at LIXIL) 51-31
Won Semifinals match (at Panasonic) 31-24 [8]
Lost Japan X Bowl XXXI (at Fujitsu) 23-63		Shinzo Yamada
2018X1East2nd820Won Quarterfinals match (at Elecom Kobe) 34-23
Won Semifinals match (at Panasonic) 24-17 [9]
Lost Japan X Bowl XXXII (at Fujitsu) 18-35		Kevin Craft
2019X1Super5th650Kevin Craft
2020X1Super7th030Kevin Craft
2021X1Super4th331Lost semifinals match (Panasonic) 31-38Kevin Craft
2022X1 SuperDiv. A2nd520Lost quarterfinals match (Elecom Kobe) 25-35Kevin Craft
2023X1 SuperDiv. B2nd520Won quarterfinals match (Nojima Sagamihara) 24-21
Lost Semi-finals match (at Panasonic) 23-47		Kevin Craft
Total110683(1997–2023, includes only regular season)
15140(1997–2023, includes only playoffs)
125823(1997–2023, includes both regular season and playoffs)

Current import players

Jersey #NamePositionYears with the teamAlma MaterAchievements
#6Christian Onyechi DE 2023–present Colorado State
#40John Stanton [10] TE 2012–present St. John's (MN) 5x All X-League Team member (2013–14, 2016–17 & 2021)
#37Logan Stewart DB 2023-present Colorado State
#10Victor Viramontes QB 2023-present UNLV

Former Import Players

NamePositionYears with the teamAlma MaterAchievements
James Brooks DE 2014–22 Arizona State 4x All X-League Team member (2014–17
Michael R. Taylor Jr. LB 2022 Florida All X-League Area Team member (2019)
Jhurell Pressley RB 2022 New Mexico
Jason Smith WR 2021 Auburn
Herbert Gamboa LB 2020–21 Montana All X1 Super Team member (2020)
Kevin Craft QB 2012–20 UCLA ROY award (2012), 2x All X-League Team member (2012–13)
Charles Tuaau DT 2017-19 Texas A&M–Commerce
Rykeem Yates DT 2016 Nevada All X-League Team member (2016)
Demetrius Eaton DE 2015 Northwestern
Tuika Tufaga DT 2014 Hawai'i
Jabali Miller CB 2012-2013 San Jose State
Albert Griffin S 2010-2013 Lindenwood
Rocky Pouta-Alo FS/RB 2007-2008 Indiana State
Ian Sample WR 2008 Hawai'i
Jon Giesel OG 2005 California All X-League Team member (2005)

See also

IBM Big Blue (rugby union)

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References

  1. ↑ "X-League profile, IBM Big Blue". April 17, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  2. ↑ Marantz, Ken (November 11, 2012). "IBM runs wild over Nojima". xleague.com. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  3. ↑ Marantz, Ken (November 11, 2013). "Craft's aerial barrage lifts IBM to 1st-ever win over shell-shocked Kajima". xleague.com. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  4. ↑ "IBM overcomes sloppy start to knock off Challengers". xleague.com. November 11, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  5. ↑ Ikezaka, Hiroshi (November 16, 2014). "IBM Big Blue pound Lixil Deer, qualify for X League playoffs". japantimes.co.jp. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  6. ↑ Marantz, Ken (December 3, 2014). "Craft throws for 9 TDs as IBM wins in shootout, advances to 1st Japan X Bowl". xleague.com. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  7. ↑ Ikezaka, Hiroshi (October 31, 2015). "Obic outplays IBM in second-stage opener". japantimes.co.jp. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  8. ↑ "IBM takes down unbeated Panasonic in seesaw semifinal thriller". xleague.com. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  9. ↑ Marantz, Ken (November 25, 2018). "Flash News: Defending champion Fujitsu, IBM set up rematch in Japan X Bowl". xleague.com. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  10. ↑ Nagatsuka, Kaz (October 8, 2013). "Stanton finds niche in Japan as tight end, teacher". japantimes.co.jp. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
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