ISML 2022: The First Genshin Semifinal Is Set

ISML 2022: The First Genshin Semifinal Is Set

By Jo-Ryan Salazar

The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue

26 December 2022

To the surprise of no one, Hu Tao is in the semifinals of the 2022 International Saimoe League Genshin Impact Tournament, defeating Yae Miko 2812-1551. "A straightforward concession," Yae was quoted to say. "Oh well, I look forward to watching the rest of this competition. I can only hope Ei (Raiden Shogun) can fare better against the director, or this will look bad for all of us in Inazuma!"

Ganyu will be Hu Tao's next opponent. A tough, bitter contest was fought between her and the Dendro Archon, Nahida, but in the end, the cocogoat herself prevailed 2296-2015. "Nahida is as tough as they come so I had to be on my toes to figure her out," Ganyu said. "Hu Tao on the other hand, well...she's a different story. I will consider it the biggest victory ever to take her down. If I can't do it, I don't think the Shogun can stop her either!"

Ganyu's mentor, Cloud Retainer, easily trounced Oz, Fischl's familiar, 2151-1235. "One knew the outcome of this from the beginning," said the adepti crane. "One can't definitely determine Ganyu's next trial, but if is an outcome one did not expect...one may be most certainly pleased regardless of her final test's result."

And now we take a look at the other results. In the Female Division, Mai Sakurajima romped past Ritsu Tainaka 3665-2681, Chisato Nishikigi delivered a 3713-2428 rout of Megumi Katou, Isla defeated Zero Two 3122-2540, Violet Evergarden cruised past Taiga Aisaka 3929-2136, Emilia flew past Sagiri Izumi 3107-2845, Marin Kitagawa defeated Index Prohibitorum 3159-2968 and Rikka Takanashi roared past Ai Haibara 4336-2175.

Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Kaguya Shinomiya 3196-2442, Takina Inoue took down Shiro 3375-2636, Elaina annihilated Kamui Kanna 3962-2186, Yui Hirasawa rocked Mio Akiyama 2712-2519, Shouko Nishimiya shook Sora Kasugano 3266-3591, Rem rammed Kanade Tachibana  3409-2604 and Mashiro Shiina smashed Miku Nakano 3576-2672.

Wrapping up Female Division play, Yui Yuigahama earned the Upset of the Round, a 3073-2902 scalp of Asuna Yuuki, Yukino Yukinoshita drilled Utaha Kasumigaoka 3908-2011, Nao Tomori defeated Kuroko Shirai 3485-2955, Nino Nakano overcame Mitsuha Miyamizu 3277-2811, Mikoto Misaka thumped Tsukasa Yuzaki 4341-2023, Eru Chitanda pounded Tamako Kitashirakawa 4026-2018 and Chika Fujiwara prevailed over Azusa Nakano 3087-2907.

In the Male Division, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji rolled past Ainz Ooal Gown 3318-1765, Izumi MIyamura defeated Satoru Gojou 2744-2184, Riku Dola rocked Kousei Arima 2724-2282, Hachiman Hikigaya dismantled Nasa Yuzaki 3897-1730, Yuu Otosaka leveled Levi 2831-2385, Mochizou Ouji rounded Kaito Kuroba 2803-2273 and Houtarou Oreki pulverized Shirou Emiya 3836-1816.

Shidou Itsuka prevailed over Loid Forger 2739-2556, Yuuta Togashi routed Saika Totsuka 3856-1799, Subaru Natsuki drove past Shinpei Ajiro 2952-2305, Itachi Uchiha slayed Dio Brando 2475-2236, Accelerator accelerated past Sorata Kanda 3546-2049, Taki Tachibana took down Rimuru Tempest 2829-2419 and Tanjiro Kamado blew Ken Kaneki away 2545-2162.

Wrapping up Male Division play, Kazuto Kirigaya sliced and diced Masamune Izumi 3356-1888, Sora won a 2726-2627 barnburner over Miyuki Shirogane, Fuutarou Uesugi defeated Takashi Natsume 2572-2463, Sakuta Azusagawa dismantled Kyoujurou Rengoku 3766-1719, Touma Kamijou broke Joutarou Kuujou 3492-1953 and Tomoya Okazaki defeated Haruka Kasugano 2590-2361.

In Seasonal action, Nezuko Kamado flattened Tooru Amuro 2990-1836, Silence Suzuka silenced Sakura Matou 2309-2002, Illyasviel von Einzbern rolled past Kotoko Iwanaga 2307-2054, Takagi took down Momo Chiyoda 2897-1522,  Special Week raced past Toge Inumaki 2919-1486, Renge Miyauchi rallied past Ninym Ralei 2240-1911, Kobayashi overcame Wakana Gojou 2993-1731 and Sajuna Inui torched Yuuko Yoshida 2744-1746.

Ai Hayasaka routed ZHong Lanzhu 4080-1019, Miko iino pounded Eiko Tsukimi 3068-1774, Tohka Yatogami annihilated Zhuge Kongming 3241-1646, Yoshino thumped Filo 3211-1317, Shikimori  droved past Kogorou Mouri 2995-1953, Tomoyo Sakagami upended Shouko Komi 2483-2000, Ushio Kofune whipped past Serena 3093-1302 and Ushio Okazaki eased past Mio Kofune 2964-1628.

Wrapping up Seasonal action, Fuuko Ibuki mowed down Reina Aharen 2503-2029, Kurumi dusted off Son Goku 3763-1375, Ruka Sarashina sat on Shalltear Bloodfallen 2284-2001, Sumi Sakurasawa slaughtered Hinata Hyuuga 2419-1927, Kei Karuizawa pounded Jolyne Kuujou 3053-1674, Yume Iridou throttled Ayano Yugiri 2418-1803, Albedo prevailed over Hizuru Minakata 2335-2149, Suzune Horikita routed David Martinez 3242-1491, Kisara grounded Rin Shima 2790 and Lucy defeated Nazuna Nanakusa 2210-2029.

Match Day 5 of the 2022 International Saimoe League Amethyst Period is scheduled for 29 December 2022. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

FFXIV/Genshin Impact: Hustle And Bustle Of...Radz-At-Han!?

#FFXIV #GenshinImpact #Crossover #Nahida

New Mexico State: 2022 Quick Lane Bowl Champions

It was mostly a crowd of orange and brown shirts in Detroit, in favor of the MAC’s Bowling Green State Falcons on Boxing Day. It makes sense, considering the New Mexico State Aggies had to travel significantly farther to play in the Quick Lane Bowl. Nevertheless, Jerry Kill’s Aggies picked up just their second bowl win since since 1960 and first since the 2017 Arizona Bowl.

Seven wins is also tied for their highest win total since 1965.

Junior quarterback Diego Pavia was named the player of the game, completing 17 of 29 passes for 167 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Pavia also notably had several key runs with 12 carries for 65 yards, including the team’s final first down that cemented the 24-19 victory.

How It Happened

BGSU senior quarterback Matt McDonald was put through concussion protocol in the first quarter after a late hit out of bounds, that was called as such. McDonald would miss the rest of the game and was replaced by Camden Orth. Orth completed 14 passes on 22 attempts for 191 yards and a touchdown.

New Mexico State led 14-0 at the half while forcing an interception and two missed field goals by the BGSU offense. To open the second half, Ethan Albertson kicked a 35-yard field goal to extend the NMSU lead. Bowling Green got on the board when Ta’ron Keith took the return 75 yards for the score on the ensuing kickoff.

Bowling Green offensive lineman Bronson Warner was ejected in the third quarter following his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Two NMSU possessions later, running back Ahmonte Watkins took a handoff 45 yards for the score to make it 24-7. Bowling Green countered with Albertson’s first field goal make of the day a few minutes later. The Falcons continued their comeback attempt by blocking an NMSU punt out the end zone for a safety with seven minutes remaining. On the ensuing possession, Orth threw his only touchdown of the day when he hit Tyrone Broden for 19 yards.

New Mexico State got the ball back with 6:27 remaining and milked a 13-play, 43-yard drive that included three first-down runs by Pavia. Pavia did nearly fumble the ball away with 5:20 remaining, but the Aggies were able to recover it.

The Take

The sticking point of this game is going to be the play of Pavia. It absolutely should. The Albuquerque native and former JUCO national champion was the spark that ignited this win with how hard he played, putting his body on the line seemingly every other play.

Let’s not let the job that Jerry Kill did with this program get lost, however. He and his staff not only put together one of the program’s best seasons of the last twenty years, but they did it in Kill’s first year at the helm. To put it in perspective, New Mexico State won more games this year than they did in 2019, 2020, and 2021 put together.

This victory also marks the first bowl victory of Kill’s career.

As the program heads to Conference USA in 2023, Kill might be in the midst of his quickest program turnaround yet.