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This season's varsity opener saw the Trent Renegades steamroll the Nottingham Outlaws at the Harvey Haddon Stadium on a nippy Friday night. The Trent offense were rampant and the Outlaws lost concentration in the second half as they slipped to a fourth consecutive Varsity American Football loss, a fourth league loss this year and, ultimately, the end of their season.

The Renegades started fast and never really let up. After winning the toss and electing to receive the ball first, game MVP, quarterback Danny Miller started steadily moving the chains thanks, largely, to Trent's double speared running attack in the form of Miller himself and powerful running back Leonardo Glasgow. Aided by a personal foul from the Outlaws, Miller eventually capped off the opening drive with a touchdown, running into the endzone untouched to conclude a possession that had taken up most of the 1st quarter and didn't include a single pass play. The Outlaws responded with a gutsy drive including powerful runs from Dan Levett and very intelligent play from QB Luca Rossoni. However, after deciding to gamble on 4th down deep in Renegades territory, going for a first down as opposed to taking a field goal, the Outlaws turned the ball over as a Levett run came up just short of the 1st down marker.

Nottingham Outlaws vs Nottingham Trent Outlaws

6.30pm KO Harvey Hadden Stadium 1/2/2013

Travel: There will be two buses from East Drive, UP, and one from outside the Savoy. Time: 5:45pm

This Friday, 1st February, sees the opening event of the 2013 charity Varsity series between the Nottingham Outlaws (2-3) and Nottingham Trent Renegades (3-1) American Football teams.

The rescheduled fourth game in the Varsity series saw the 4-2 Nottingham Outlaws and the 3-3 Nottingham Trent Renegades square off, not just for a Varsity point, but also to keep alive both teams’ dreams of a playoff berth.

Ahead of the game, the Uni team appeared to be in good spirits, despite Varsity history being against them. URN was fortunate to be able to speak to Ben Davies, running back coach of the Outlaws, in the final moments before the match began. Davies sounded as confident as the Outlaws players themselves, and was looking forward to seeing his side getting at the Renegade team, with plenty of confidence in the Outlaw’s own defensive capabilities to keep the points off the board at the Uni end of the pitch.

Davies

The Outlaws started off well with a touchback from the kick off, making the Renegades start from their own 20. Trent quarterback Adam Grant was seemingly unfazed, leading his team into the red-zone with an impressive drive including a 40 yard pass play, and leaving the Renegades on the Outlaws’ 1 yard line. The Outlaws defended valiantly but eventually the dam was breached with American exchange student Danny Miller trundling over for the opening touchdown.

After the initial opening match of the 2012 Varsity series was postponed due to bad weather on Superbowl weekend, the Nottingham Outlaws and Trent Renegades will lock horns on the 2nd of March in a potential postseason decider; with the winners likely to grab an elusive playoff position at the expense of their rival.

URN will be providing LIVE text updates from the game, as well as providing more pre-match coverage ahead of the big day. Check out urn1350.net in the build-up to stay informed. Match begins at 7:30pm.

URN: Your Number One Varsity Source

• Backfield: The group of offensive players the running backs and quarterback who line up behind the offensive line

• Down: A period of action that starts when the ball is put into play and ends when the ball is ruled dead (meaning the play is completed). The offense gets four downs to advance the ball 10 yards. If it fails to do so, it must surrender the ball to the opponent, usually by punting on the fourth down.

• Drive: The series of plays when the offense has the football, until it punts or scores and the other team gets possession of the ball.

• End zone: A 10-yard-long area at each end of the field. You score a touchdown when you enter the end zone in control of the football. If you're tackled in your own end zone while in possession of the football, the other team gets a safety (2 points).

• Extra point: A kick, worth one point, that's typically attempted after every touchdown. The ball is placed on either the 2-yard line and is generally kicked from inside the 10-yard line after being snapped to the holder. It must go between the uprights and above the crossbar of the goalpost to be considered good.