Illinois Wesleyan traveled for a fifth time with Global Football, having been to Italy 2000, France 2005, the Czech Republic & Austria 2009, and Finland & Sweden 2013. While in Japan between May 31 and June 8, the Titans visited Tokyo’s Ginza District, the Imperial Palace Plaza, the Meiji Shinto Shrine, Yoyogi Park, the Tokyo Dome, Tsukiji Fish Market, the Sumo Wrestling Museum, Mount Fuji and went on a Tokyo Bay cruise.
Norm Eash’s team led 13-0 at halftime and in front of 2,000 spectators in Tokyo, ran out 33-6 winners over the Waseda Big Bears.
“It was a fun ball game, it was a great win,” said coach Eash “Toyko is an amazing city. You are talking about (a country of) 37 million people, I can’t explain it. A lot of people and a lot of buildings and our kids are really taking it in right now.”
Quarterback Brandon Bauer threw touchdowns of 5 and 21 yards to tight end Andrew Apel, while wideout Jack Healy caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Bauer.
Reese Sobol claimed a 13-yard rushing touchdown for the Titans and linebacker Jordan Hassan returned a punt blocked by Jeremy Giderof three yards into the end zone to score.
Haruki Sakanashi got the Big Bears on the board with a one-yard run with 4:02 remaining.