Team Phantom scored the 14 points in the 2023 Under Armour Next All-American Game on the way to a 14-7 win over Team Speed.
Below is a game recap from the game’s PR team:
After a scoreless first quarter, Texas running back commit CJ Baxter got Team Phantom on the board on the first play of the second with a 13-yard touchdown run to give his squad a 7-0 advantage.
First touchdown of the game goes to none other than @CedricBaxterJr1 !! #uanext pic.twitter.com/Wt7zpwxvX4
— All-America Game (@UANextFootball) January 3, 2023
Then later in the quarter, Zachariah Branch, a USC commit, gave Team Phantom a 14-0 advantage with a 93-yard punt return for a touchdown, tying the record set by Amari Cooper’s in 2012.
Turn on the JETS 💨‼️ @zachariahb03#uanext pic.twitter.com/eqhcWNwKKn
— All-America Game (@UANextFootball) January 3, 2023
On the ensuing possession, Team Speed cut into the lead with an eight-play drive that ended with Oklahoma quarterback commit Jackson Arnold connecting with Utah signee Michael Matthews for a 23-yard touchdown connection, making the score 14-7 at halftime and the decisive score.
. @_JacksonArnold_ ➡️ Michael Matthews for the first TD for Team Speed! #uanext pic.twitter.com/bLfxlP7Hzv
— All-America Game (@UANextFootball) January 3, 2023
Defensively, both teams had standout performers. For Team Speed, Oklahoma signee PJ Adebawore finished the game with a pair of tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry, Michael and Andrew Harris combined for three tackles for loss, while Florida commit Kelby Collins, who earned team MVP honors, finished with three tackles, a sack and a pass breakup.
For Team Phantom, Clemson commit Peter Woods finished the game with three tackles, two for loss, and a pass breakup, Michigan State pledge Jordan Hall led the team with five tackles, including one for loss, and South Carolina signee Desmond Umeozulu recorded a pair of tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
Also during the game, four Under Armour Next All-Americans announced their college commitments. A pair of players announced their commitments to Nebraska – cornerback Ethan Nation and defensive end Cameron Lenhardt, running back Durrell Robinson pledged to Charlotte and defensive end Ashton Porter made his commitment to Oregon.
Notable Top 10 Performances
- Zachariah Branch’s (USC) 93 yard punt return is tied for the longest scoring play in Game history (Brian Poole 93 yard interception return and Amari Cooper’s 93 yard punt return in 2012), tied for the longest punt return in Game history (Cooper in 2012).
- Branch’s 152 all-purpose yards is fourth-most in Game history.
- Branch’s seven receptions are tied for second-most in Game history.
- Branch’s 122 punt return yards are the most in Game history.
- Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma) finished 12-of-23 passing. His 12 completions and 23 attempts each rank third in their respective categories in Game history.
- JJ Kohl (Iowa State) finished 11-of-18 passing. His 11 completions are tied for fourth and his 18 attempts are tied for sixth in Game history.
