The battle for ultimate Madden bragging rights — and a piece of the $1 million prize pool — got underway Monday as Ultimate Madden Bowl 23 kicked off.
And the event started off with a doozy.
After getting a tying field goal from a virtual Justin Tucker with 11 seconds left in regulation, 12th-seeded “DavidT” kicked a 52-yarder with Tucker to walk off with a 13-10 overtime win over fifth-seeded John “Mr Football 88” Britt.
That was the first of three games on Day 1 of Ultimate Madden Bowl, a 14-person tournament that concludes with the championship on Feb. 6. The winners of Monday and Tuesday’s first-round games advance to the quarterfinals beginning Feb. 1.
All 14 players will pocket at least $30,000, with the champion taking home the $250,000 grand prize and coveted championship belt.
Playing as the Giants, DavidT turned in the game’s biggest play when he intercepted a Mr Football 88 pass on the Giants’ 4-yard line and returned it to the Falcons’ 40 to set up Tucker’s winning kick.
In the second game — the 8-9 matchup — eighth-seeded “Cobo” and his Lions jumped out to a 24-0 lead and carried a 24-3 into halftime, only to see No. 9 “JackOregon” mount a furious comeback late with the Texans to draw within 24-17. But Cobo was able to hold onto the ball, taking it down inside Texans’ 5-yard line before running out the clock.
Up next for Cobo is a shot to take down Madden’s Goliath — top-seeded and five-time belt winner Henry “Henry” Leverette — in the quarters.
In Monday’s final game, one of the tournament’s two Last Chance Qualifiers — Jacob “Fancy” Worthington — got his shot to play Cinderella, against No. 4 Noah “Noahupnxt” Johnson.
After the 12 players qualifying for the tournament by accumulating points in the Madden Championship Series’ three qualifying events were set, two more spots were won by players competing in the Last Chance Qualifier.
And Cinderella indeed will keep dancing, as Fancy, playing as the Cowboys, took down Noahupnxt and his Eagles 24-16. Like DavidT, Fancy used a big defensive play to turn the tide — a 43-yard pick-six top take a 14-10 lead 30 seconds before halftime.
Ultimate Madden Bowl
Monday’s results
First round
No. 13 Jacob “Fancy” Worthington 24, No. 4 Noah “Noahupnxt” Johnson 16
No. 12 “DavidT” 13, No. 5 John “Mr Football 88” Britt 10 (OT)
No. 8 “Cobo” 24, No. 9 “JackOregon” 17
Tuesday’s schedule
First round
No. 3 Dwayne “Cleff The God” Wood vs. No. 14 Shay “Kiv” Kivlen
No. 6 Wesley “Wesley” Gittens vs. No. 11 Daniel “Dcroft” Mycroft
No. 7 “Big Gucci” vs. No. 10 Cole “Cole” Anthony
Quarterfinals
Beginning Feb. 1
No. 1 Henry “Henry” Leverette vs. No. 8 “Cobo”
No. 12 “TTvTheDavidT” vs. No. 13 Jacob “Fancy” Worthington
Ultimate Madden Bowl prize money
1. $250,000
2. $150,000
3-4. $100.000
5-8. $55,000
9-14. $30,000 — John “Mr Football 88” Britt, Noah “Noahupnxt” Johnson, “JackOregon”
–Field Level Media