Impulse wins defensive battle

Matsushita Denko Impulse from Osaka won the fourth X League championship in the history of the team by defeating Asahi Beer Silver Star 15-6 at the Japan X Bowl in Kobe. The Impulse defense which allowed only 26 points in the previous six games of the season stopped the Silver Star running game, put pressure on Asahi Beer's QB Yoshitomo Kanaoka and forced three turnovers (one fumble, two interceptions). The Impulse offense meanwhile, lead by a strong running game, gained a big advantage in time of possession and gave the team enough scoring opportunities - although it reached the endzone just once. With about three and a half minutes gone in the second quarter RB Mamoru Uruchida who was also part of the team that won Matsushitas last title in 1995 finished a drive with a 13-yard touchdown run that gave Impulse a 9-0 lead.

QB Koichi Takahashi lead Matsushita Denko Impulse
to victory in the 2004 Japan X Bowl.
(Photo: X League / Makoto Sato, Text: Dieter Hoch)