July 15 , 2007

Doug Blakowski '07 played a key role in Team USA's 23-20 OT win against Japan.(Kiyosi Ogawa / TOUCHDOWN)

KAWASAKI, Japan—Running back Doug Blakowski '07 (Iroquois/Elma, N.Y.) and Team USA captured the gold medal at the 2007 World Championship of American Football with a 23-20 overtime win against two-time defending champion Japan. Blakowski carried the ball 10 times for 55 yards in the triumph.

Against Japan, Team USA found itself in a dogfight following a seemingly easy jaunt through pool play. In wins over Korea and Germany, the Americans outscored their foes 110-7.

In the title bout, the United States scored first, but the Japanese ripped off 10 straight points to carry a 10-7 lead into the locker room at halftime, the first deficit the Americans faced in the tournament.

Team USA kicked a third quarter field goal to even the score, but Japan scored a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to put the Americans in a 17-10 hole.

Thirty-one of Blakowski's 55 yards came on the game-tying drive. His final carry in regulation was a 12-yard gain to the Japan 5-yard line. Team USA tied the game on the next play with 2:51 remaining.

Using the college football overtime format of alternating possessions from the 25-yard line, the teams traded field goals in the first extra session. In the second OT, Team USA's defense held as the Japanese missed a 34-yard field goal attempt.

On the ensuing American possession, Blakowski again played a key role. He gained 9 yards on first and 10 from the 15 yard line, setting the stage for the gold medal-winning 22-yard field goal three plays later.

Blakowski finished the tournament with 125 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 23 carries, an average of 5.4 yards per carry.

A two-time All-American, Blakowski ran for 2,610 yards and 32 touchdowns during his Hobart career.

Administered by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), the World Championship of American Football was first contested Palermo, Italy, in 1999. Four years later, the second World Championship was hosted in Frankfurt, Germany. This is the first time the Americans have competed in the championship.