Mexico wins setting up 1st place show down with U.S.A. (video)

MEXICO MOVES TO 2-0 ATOP GROUP A AT 2011 IFAF SENIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WITH 65-0 WIN OVER AUSTRALIA

Mexico sent a message to their final Group A opponent the United States by scoring four more points than their rivals did against Australia in a convincing 65-0 win in Innsbruck.

Running back Jose Reyes again led the way on the ground with 10 carries for 114 yards, but it was Jonathan Barrera, the MVP of Mexico’s opening game, who scored three rushing touchdowns and Daniel Roldal caught two six-pointers.

“We can expect all the same type of plays in the next game,” said Mexico head coach Raul Rivera Sanchez. “In Mexico we like to play this style. We enjoy the game, and we try as the coaches for the players to enjoy playing. We have a lot of different types of weapons are going to be on the field, and we will leave everything there.”

Australia head coach John Leijten added: “Our boys fought as hard as they could and we kept up with them for a while. It shows the quality of Mexico. I know from my time in NFL Europe, there were a lot of good players from Mexico so I wasn’t surprised how good Mexico was.

“Our team improved and that is what we said we wanted to do. Between the first game and second we stepped it up. Our execution improved.”

Quarterback Rodrigo Perez, who was the Mexico MVP with 18 of 24 passes completed for 261 yards and a touchdown, said: “I feel good. We came here to win, and that is our goal. We prepared for every situation and I believe we executed our plays well. And now we prepare for the United States.”

Linebacker James McFadzean took the honor for the Australians, posting a sack and five tackles including one for a nine-yard loss. He added: It’s on to the next game. We can’t hang our heads. Just moving on and continue to improve for our next game.”

Despite moving the ball steadily downfield on the opening drive, Mexico punted away its opening possession, as did Australia, before the Mexicans took the lead.

A power run down the middle by Jose Reyes was good for a first down and only an open field tackle by Australia’s Bryan Nightingale to limited a Reyes catch a short gain before running back Juan Castillo took the ball to midfield. Quarterback Rodrigo Perez connected with Heriberto Salazar whose spectacular one-handed catch moved the ball the 32, only for a penalty to negate ten yards. A Luis Araujo grab and Reyes run brought up first and goal and a handoff to Jonathan Barrera produced his first touchdown from four yards out and with it 7-0 lead with 2.41 remaining in the opening quarter.

Penalties and runs by Nathan Lansdell and Matthew Croasdaile moved Australia to the Mexican 29-yard mark at the start of the second quarter, but a 41-yard Liam Erby field goal attempt sailed wide.

On the first play of the drive in reply, Perez launched the ball downfield and found a wide-open Jose Antonio Alfonso in stride for a monster 76-yard touchdown and with the extra point good, Mexico led 14-0 with 10:52 left in the half.

After another three and out by Australia, Mexico moved swiftly downfield again with another good run by Reyes and a catch by Erick Arzale before a handoff to Barrera, who ran down the gut for an eight-yard touchdown and a three-score lead.

Australia started to make headway with the ball as Nathan Lansdell plowed his way through defenders for a first down at the Mexico 42 and a catch by Ryan Dwyer but again the punter was called into action.

Australia’s McFadzean tipped a pass bound for another Mexico completion at the last second, but then Perez hit Alfonso crossing into Australia territory and despite nearly sacked twice scrambled free of trouble. On a key third and six at Australia’s 13, Viamontes produced catch for a first and goal, then Perez punched in the quarterback sneak from two yards out for a 28-0 halftime lead.

Mexico’s offensive fireworks resumed after the break. Perez went to the air and then Barrera again showcased his speed, cutting to the outside for a 15-yard touchdown. The Australian defense held on the next Mexico drive, but kicker Jose Maltos boomed a championship-record 56-yard field goal between the uprights for a 38-0 lead.

Juan made it 45-0 from a yard out after an Australia punt was blocked, a Bruno Daniel Marques pass to Roldan and Erick Arzate run for two pushed the advantage up to 53 points and Maltos tagged on a 49-yard field goal with 7:42 remaining.

A safety saw Mexico creep to within three points of the 61 USA had scored against Australia and with their mind clearly on eclipsing that total, Marquez threw a screen to Roldan who ran in untouched from 15 yards out.

Box Score

Australia (0-2) vs. Mexico (2-0)
Date: Jul 10, 2011
Site: Innsbruck Stadium: Tivoli
Attendance: 5000

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
—————– — — — — —–
Team Australia…… 0 0 0 0 – 0
Team Mexico……… 7 21 25 12 – 65

Scoring Summary:

1st 02:41 MEX – Jonathan A.Barrera 4 yd run (Jose Carlos Maltos kick)
11 plays, 81 yards, TOP 5:11, AUS 0 – MEX 7

2nd 10:52 MEX – Jose Antonio Alfonso 76 yd pass from Rodrigo O.Perez (Jose Carlos Maltos kick)
1 play, 76 yards, TOP 0:10, AUS 0 – MEX 14

06:28 MEX – Jonathan A.Barrera 8 yd run (Jose Carlos Maltos kick)
7 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:11, AUS 0 – MEX 21

00:28 MEX – Rodrigo O.Perez 2 yd run (Jose Carlos Maltos kick)
12 plays, 85 yards, TOP 2:55, AUS 0 – MEX 28

3rd 08:17 MEX – Jonathan A.Barrera 15 yd run (Jose Carlos Maltos kick)
5 plays, 70 yards, TOP 0:59, AUS 0 – MEX 35

04:02 MEX – Jose Carlos Maltos 56 yd field goal
3 plays, 0 yards, TOP 0:44, AUS 0 – MEX 38

02:54 MEX – Juan Carlos Castillo 1 yd run (Jose Carlos Maltos kick)
1 play, 1 yard, TOP 0:03, AUS 0 – MEX 45

00:52 MEX – Daniel Roldan 9 yd pass from Bruno Daniel Marques (Erick Q.Arzate rush)
2 plays, 54 yards, TOP 0:28, AUS 0 – MEX 53

4th 07:42 MEX – Jose Carlos Maltos 49 yd field goal
6 plays, 43 yards, TOP 1:29, AUS 0 – MEX 56

02:45 MEX – Team Mexico safety
AUS 0 – MEX 58

01:12 MEX – Daniel Roldan 15 yd pass from Bruno Daniel Marques (Jose Carlos Maltos kick)
3 plays, 50 yards, TOP 0:26, AUS 0 – MEX 65