A controversial call cost the Lixil Deers a Pearl Bowl victory and gave the IBM BigBlue a first X League title.
Kevin Craft threw three touchdown passes as the BigBlue survived a late comeback by the Deers to wrap up a 21-20 victory in the Pearl Bowl Final on Monday night at Tokyo Dome. It was the first-ever title for the BigBlue in any season or tournaments in the X League.
"It took seven years from the time I took over," IBM head coach Shinzo Yamada said. "Relieved? No. We still have three teams we have not beaten; Fujitsu, Obic and Panasonic. We are not satisfied.