The 2015 Birmingham Bulls season was the team's 32nd season in competitive British American Football. It was also the first season under rookie head coach Mark Pagett and Chairman Richard Penwright, whilst Rob Amor returned for a fifth year as club secretary. The Bulls entered the 2015 season in the second tier following a league restructure, and were considered by some to be favourites for post-season success and immediate promotion back to the top tier.DC Writers Preseason Picks: BAFA National Leagues
Following the departure of the previous coaching staff, former player Matt Sheldon was appointed as Offensive coordinator, while Alan Steel, departing the Coventry Jets, was appointed as Defensive coordinator. Coaches Mark Webb and Paul Roberts were retained in their role as Special Teams and Defensive Back coaches respectively.
Part way through the season, Offensive coordinator Matt Sheldon stepped down from his role and was replaced by O-Line coach Gary Hodgen. Despite early season promise, including an away win against the eventual league champions Farnham Knights, a five-game losing streak put paid to any notion of post-season football in 2015.
Recruitment Following successful recruitment sessions in the winter of 2014, several rookies joined the team, along with former players returning from playing in Europe.
Rookies Position Player FS Dotun Ademiju ILB Mohammed Awil WR Joshua Boulton DE Matthew Brown CB Elliott Forster DE Gavin Henry OLB Dominic Taylor OLB Simon Taylor DE Jay Willis
Transfers Position Player Previous Team OLB Dimeji Ademiju Walney Terriers FS Oheeul Choudhury Coventry Jets WR Marc Henry Yorkshire Rams OL Andrew Kane Glasgow Lions OL Tom Levick Lura Bulls CB Calum Roberts Colchester Gladiators DT Scott Robinson Coventry Jets K Luca Zigliani Lazio Marines
Staff Head coach Head coach: Mark Pagett
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator: Matt Sheldon Quarterbacks coach: Doug Cotterell Running backs coach: Paul Williams Wide receivers coach: Graham Huber Offensive line Coach: Gary Hodgen
Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator: Alan Steel Linebackers coach: John McManus Defensive backs coach: Paul Roberts
Special teams Special teams coordinator: Mark Webb
Playing staff
Final roster Birmingham Bulls 2016Quarterbacks Richard Penwright Dan Wilkes
Running backs & Full backs Marc Bonazebi Tyrone Johnston Marcus Rey Sam Scott Dean Thomas
Wide receivers & Tight ends Michael Beaty Reece Bell Joshua Boulton Michael Doyle Ben Fleet Marc Henry Kieron HindsOffensive linemen Craig Chadwick Andrew Kane Tom Levick David Pemberton Tom Townend Brendan Woulfe
Defensive linemen Olu Amudipe Matthew Brown Anton Chisholm Tom Durn Lee Macken Scott RobinsonLinebackers Dimeji Ademiju Mohammed Awil Adam Fleet Jake Harbon Ilya Kaznachyeev Stephen Stoakes Dominic Taylor Simon Taylor Dan Williams
Defensive backs Dotun Ademiju Oheeul Choudhury Elliot Forster Jack Pemberton Calum Roberts Gareth ThomasSpecial teams Luca Zigliani
Injured Reserve Gavin Henry Aamir Saleem Leon Simkin
Rookies in italics.
Statistics Offence
Category Name Passing yards Dan Wilkes 204 Passing TDs Richard Penwright & Dan Wilkes 1 Rushing yards Mark Bonazebi 1206 Rushing TDs Mark Bonazebi 14 Receiving yards Michael Beaty 187 Receiving TDs Michael Doyle & Mark Bonazebi 1
Defence
Category Name Total tackles Olu Amudipe 57 Solo tackles Olu Amudipe 29 Sacks Olu Amudipe 6.5 Interceptions Gareth Thomas 8 Forced fumbles Jake Harbon, Domeni White, Lee Macken 2 Fumble recoveries Olu Amudipe & Stephen Stoakes 2
Special teams
Category Name Field goals Luca Zigliani 1 Punt yards Luca Zigliani 1317 Kick return yards Gareth Thomas 304 Punt return yards Gareth Thomas 240
Bulls players set or equalled several team records throughout the 2015 season. Mark Bonazebi recorded 1206 rushing yards, the most in Bulls history, and his 93-yard run against the Hertfordshire Cheetahs was the longest in team history. Gareth Thomas' 9 total takeaways was a new Bulls season record, and his 4 interceptions against the Hertfordshire Cheetahs was a record for most single game takeaways and interceptions. His 8 total interceptions equalled Hall of Famer Paul Roberts' single season record. His 125 punt return yards against the East Kent Mavericks was also a single-game record for the Bulls.
Award winners The Bulls held their annual awards night on 20 September 2015.
Award Winner Team MVP Mark Bonazebi Player's Player Mark Bonazebi Offensive MVP Mark Bonazebi Defensive MVP Gareth Thomas Special teams MVP Gareth Thomas Coaches' MVP Richard Penwright Offensive Development Award David Pemberton Defensive Development Award Stephen Stoakes
Schedule
Preseason Week Opponent Result Record Location 1 Coventry Jets L 0–20 0–1 Erin Go Bragh
Regular season Week Opponent Result Record Location 1 Ouse Valley Eagles L 14–21 0–1 Erin Go Bragh 2 at Cambridgeshire Cats W 34–12 1–1 Coldham's Common 3 Hertfordshire Cheetahs W 17–9 2–1 Erin Go Bragh 4 at Farnham Knights W 28–26 3–1 Farnham RUFC 5 Colchester Gladiators L 7–9 3–2 Erin Go Bragh 6 Solent Thrashers L 7–10 3–3 Erin Go Bragh 7 at East Kent Mavericks L 0–14 3–4 Simon Langton Boys School 8 at Hertfordshire Cheetahs L 8–28 3–5 St Albans Rugby Club 9 at Ouse Valley Eagles L 18–23 3–6 Bedford International Athletics Stadium 10 Cambridgeshire Cats W 50–0 4–6 Erin Go Bragh
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game Notes Week 1: vs Ouse Valley Eagles The Bulls lost a narrow opener to the visiting Ouse Valley Eagles by one score following a controversial touchdown at the end of the second quarter. The Eagles capitalised on Bulls turnovers in the fourth quarter to pull away and secure an opening day victory.Birmingham Bulls vs Cats preview
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Bulls 0 8 6 0 14 Eagles 0 7 0 14 21
Passers Dan Wilkes: 0/4, 0 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT Stuart Williams: 0/13, 0 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
Rushers Rob Brown: 14 carries, 85 yards, 0 TDs Marc Bonazebi: 3 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD
Defenders Jake Harbon: 10 total tackles, 7 solo, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD Jack Pemberton: 5 total tackles, 4 solo, 2 INTs, 1 break up Stephen Stoakes: 6 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 FF Dominic Taylor: 7 total tackles, 6 solo
Week 2: at Cambridgeshire Cats The Bulls travelled to Cambridge and won comfortably thanks to a strong ground attack from Rob Brown and Mark Bonazebi and pass rush from the defensive line.
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Bulls 0 13 13 8 34 Cats 6 0 0 6 12
Passers Dan Wilkes: 3/12, 27 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Rushers Rob Brown: 20 carries, 157 yards, 3 TDs Marc Bonazebi: 21 carries, 114 yards, 2 TDs
Receivers Kieron Hinds: 1 rec, 14 yards, 0 TD
Defenders Scott Robinson: 4 total tackles, 3 solo, 3 sacks, 1 FR Lee Macken: 3 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 FF Jake Harbon: 10 total tackles, 5 solo, 0.5 sacks Tom Durn: 1 total tackle, 1 solo, 1.5 sacks
Week 3: vs Hertfordshire Cheetahs Back at home, the Bulls secondary stepped up in a big way, picking the ball off seven times, including four interceptions by cornerback Gareth Thomas, while Bonazebi again carried the offence to move the Bulls to 3–1.Defense shines as Bulls beat Cheetahs
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Bulls 3 14 0 0 17 Cheetahs 2 0 0 7 9
Passers Dan Wilkes: 3/15, 56 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Rushers Marc Bonazebi: 27 carries, 155 yards, 1 TD
Receivers Michael Beaty: 2 rec, 52 yards, 0 TD
Defenders Gareth Thomas: 0 tackles, 4 INT, 2 break ups Dominic Taylor: 3 total tackles, 1 solo, 1 INT, 1 TD Olu Amudipe: 7 total tackles, 3 solo, 1.5 sacks Jack Pemberton: 4 total tackles, 2 solo, 1 INT
Week 4: at Farnham Knights The Bulls travelled to the favoured Knights but a 300+ yard display by running back Bonazebi paired with a last second pick by Thomas meant the Bulls came away with a signature win.Bulls put Knights to the sword
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Bulls 6 0 16 6 28 Knights 0 10 8 8 26
Passers Dan Wilkes: 1/12, 16 yards, 0 TD, 4 INT
Rushers Marc Bonazebi: 32 carries, 310 yards, 4 TD
Receivers Michael Beaty: 1 rec, 16 yards, 0 TD
Defenders Gareth Thomas: 6 total tackles, 6 solo, 1 INT, 1 break up Jake Harbon: 7 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 INT, 1 break up Jack Pemberton: 4 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 INT, 1 break up Dotun Ademiju: 4 total tackles, 2 solo, 1 sack
Week 5: vs Colchester Gladiators The Bulls came back down to earth with a bump, and despite signs of an improving passing game, a number of turnovers brought an end to the Bulls' winning streak.Bulls look to reignite playoff pushGladiators win defensive battle
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Bulls 0 0 7 0 7 Gladiators 0 7 2 0 9
Passers Dan Wilkes: 2/15, 82 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushers Marc Bonazebi: 33 carries, 97 yards, 0 TD
Receivers Marc Bonazebi: 1 rec, 47 yards, 1 TD Michael Beaty: 1 rec, 35 yards, 0 TD
Defenders Tom Durn: 8 total tackles, 7 solo, 1 FF Domeni White: 5 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 FF, 1 break up Stephen Stoakes: 5 total tackles, 1 solo, 1 FR Dotun Ademiju: 6 total tackles, 3 solo, 2 break ups
Week 6: vs Solent Thrashers The Bulls defence remained stout holding the visiting Thrashers to well below their season average, but a struggling offence meant back-to-back losses for the first time in 2015.
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Bulls 7 0 0 0 7 Thrashers 7 7 0 0 14
Passers Dan Wilkes: 4/9, 23 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Rushers Marc Bonazebi: 21 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD
Receivers Michael Beaty: 4 rec, 23 yards, 0 TD
Defenders Jack Pemberton: 3 total tackles, 2 solo, 1 INT, 2 break ups Dotun Ademiju: 5 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 FR, 1 break up Olu Amudipe: 5 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 break up Gareth Thomas: 5 total tackles, 1 solo, 1 INT
Week 7: at East Kent Mavericks The Bulls made the long trip as heavy favourites but were shut out on offence for the first time since July 2014 in a hard-fought defensive battle.Mavericks defence shutout Bulls, taking home another win
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Bulls 0 0 0 0 0 Mavericks 10 0 0 0 10
Passers Richard Penwright: 6/15, 63 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Rushers Marcus Rey: 12 carries, 44 yards, 0 TD
Receivers Michael Beaty: 2 rec, 46 yards, 0 TD
Defenders Jake Harbon: 10 total tackles, 7 solo, 1 INT, 1 FF Olu Amudipe: 7 total tackles, 4 solo, 1 sack, 1 breakup Gareth Thomas: 3 total tackles, 1 solo, 1 INT, 2 breakups Adam Fleet: 8 total tackles, 5 solo, 0.5 sacks
Week 8: at Hertfordshire Cheetahs The Bulls struggled on a hot day in St. Albans and fell to their third straight defeat putting their play-off chances in jeopardy.
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Bulls 0 0 0 8 8 Cheetahs 7 14 0 7 28
Passers Richard Penwright: 1/3, 5 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT Daniel Maher: 2/16, 12 yards, 0 TD, 2 INTs
Rushers Marcus Rey: 3 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD Mark Bonazebi: 11 carries, 108 yards, 0 TD
Receivers Marcus Rey: 1 rec, 11 yards, 0 TD
Defenders Dotun Ademiju: 6 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 sack, 3 break ups Jack Pemberton: 5 total tackles, 4 solo, 1 INT Adam Fleet: 7 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 FF Ilya Kaznachyeev: 10 total tackles, 9 solo
Week 9: at Ouse Valley Eagles A Bulls squad decimated by injury travelled to Bedford and kept it close in a rain-soaked return fixture against their divisional rivals, but ended their hopes of play off football with another defeat.Full time. Eagles 21–14 Bulls
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Bulls 0 6 0 12 18 Eagles 17 0 0 6 21
Passers Richard Penwright: 8/15, 67 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushers Mark Bonazebi: 38 carries, 166 yards, 2 TDs
Receivers Michael Doyle: 1 rec, 47 yards, 1 TD
Defenders Olu Amudipe: 5 total tackles, 4 solo, 2 sacks, 2 FR Gareth Thomas: 4 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 INT, 1 FF, 3 break ups Simon Taylor: 5 total tackles, 4 solo, 1 FF Dotun Ademiju: 3 total tackles, 3 solo, 1 FF, 1 break up
Week 10: vs Cambridgeshire Cats The Bulls stopped the rot on the final day of the season by shutting out the already-relegated Cambridgeshire Cats at home and putting up their highest score of the season.Birmingham Bulls 50–0 Cambridgeshire Cats
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Bulls 14 6 22 8 50 Cats 0 0 0 0 0
Passers