Evolution Series XLII

Evolution Series XLII was a Robloxian football game between the Robloxia Football Conference (RFC) teams Cape Coral Jaguars and the Roblox Football Conference (ROFC) team, Roregon Pioneers. Despite both being considered rookie and or unexperienced teams, both managed to play through the season with ease. During the final 20 seconds in the 4th quarter, the Pioneers punter Michael Phelps, scored a game-winning touchdown making the final score 33 - 31 against the Jaguars.

The series marked disbelief amongst many RFL fans, as it proved that even underexperienced Evolution Series teams were able to even make it into the playoffs, and end up winning a Evolution Series. The Jaguars originally entered into the first quarter with a 6 point lead against the Pioneers, who only scored a field goal during first quarter. Later, in the second quarter, the Jaguars scored 8 points, making them 14 - 11 to the Pioneers, a 3-point-lead against them just before the Halftime performance. Later during third quarter, the Jaguars scored one successful touchdown a 2-pointer, and a 32 Yard punt, earning 3 points, and the Pioneers scored a touchdown, with a successful kick, and another touchdown without a kick, making the score in the 3rd quarter 25 - 24, putting the Jaguars at a 1 point lead. Entering the 4th quarter, the Pioneers started with a successful touchdown, getting a lead over the Jaguars. However, the Jaguars came back with another touchdown, putting them at another 1 point lead with 31 - 30, and 1 minute remaining.

During a throw by quarterback, the Pioneers managed to successfully intercept with 1 Minute and 30 seconds left. From there, the Pioneers played downfield, eventually, head coach of the Pioneers, Trevor Fritz, decided to kick for a 3 point from 42 yards. With 20 seconds left, punter, Michael Phelps was able to successfully score it, thus making the score 33 - 31, winning the Pioneers their first ever Evolution Series title.

On the RFL Top 100 games, the game was ranked the 42nd best game in RFL history, and was ranked number 12 for 11 consecutive months on RFL.Com's greatest comeback games. Similarly to Evolution Series LI with the New England Musketeers and Ro-Atlanta Tridents.

Background

Host selection process

With the construction of the newly created Ro-Frontier Field for the Roregon Pioneers, the RFL was interested from the start, and it was elected as the number 1 candidate for Evolution Series XLII, and was eventually elected as the Venue for the season. However, many debated stating that Tribulation Stadium, or Rucas Oil Stadium would be a better pick for the season, due to the fact that the stadium's had more features than Ro-Frontier had.

Eventually, a revote was made, and it was decided that it would either take place in Bloxindianapolis, Roblox City, and Campa. Due to the Ro-Frontier being a new stadium, and having good reviews at the time, it was officially chosen as the candidate on March 3, 2007, 1 month after Evolution Series XLI had taken place at Miablox Beach Stadium, which Miablox was also a candidate, but did not make the top 10 picks for venues. Spots behind the top 3 picks were Bloxnashville, Bloxburg, Cape Coral, Pittsblox, Bloxadelphia, San Juan, Bloxeattle, New Bloxia, Ro-Kansas City, and Las Valencias.

In the end, the process boiled down to Campa and Roregon, and the vote landed in favor of Roregon, as they would now play Evolution Series XLI at the stadium. This would mark the first ever usage of a Evolution Series for the stadium, and it would be used in Evolution Series 2015, and 2019.

On May 5, 2007, a meeting was held by commissioner Jerry Stanton at the RFL Press conference, where at the end of the conference, all lights went out and the room became dark. Then, Jerry Stanton announced, "Presenting to you.... the stadium for Evolution Series XLII" A massive curtain unveiled, and showed the concept image of the venue during the game which included the reveal of the Series' logo.

Venue

The kickoff for Evolution Series XLII happened at 6:41 PM at Ro-Frontier field. The series marked the first evolution played on a retractable natural-grass field surface, as well as the stadiums first time having a Evolution Series; it's retractable surface made the venue unique amongst other stadiums in the RFL.

The series also marked the first time in 30 years that an Evolution Series had been played at a stadium that was mostly outdoors. Because of this, 90 minutes prior to the game, a massive tarp that was 152 feet tall, (1,824 Inches) and 1032 feet wide, (12,384 Inches) was set up for the halftime performance, and to protect the stadium from bad weather. The tradition of using a tarp on the stadium would later be used in Evolution Series 49, and LIII in 2019.

Teams

Roregon Pioneers

The Roregon Pioneers were able to complete 11 - 5 during the first 17 weeks, however, they ended up losing the last 3 games, but still managed to get into the playoffs with quarterback and hall-of-famer Kurt Miles, who had previously played for the Ro-England Musketeers, but was traded to the Roregon Pioneers.

Throughout the 2007 - 2008 season, the Pioneers managed to beat several teams such as the New Bloxia Knights, The Ro-England Musketeers, the Miablox Sunshine, and The New Bloxia Dragons. With the help of quarterback Kurt Miles, he managed to lead the team to the playoffs, however, he was injured during Week 11, and the team lost the next 5 games, but still made it into the playoffs.

The Pioneers at the time were considered the worst RFL team, with a .434 percentage chance of winning, however, and were the least expected to win the next Evolution Series.

The team MVP Kurt Miles, (Born December 22, 1980) was a former New Ro-England Musketeers quarterback, who won Evolution Series XXXVI against the Bloxburg Tigers, but was later traded to the Roregon Pioneers in 2005. Throughout the Evolution Series, Miles struggled throughout the game, and even received a scar on his left foot from the game. However, he managed to get a touchdown that would allow for the Pioneers to get a field goal, which was later successfully punted by Michael Phelps.

Michael Phelps (Born June 1, 1986) was a rookie player form St. Bloxouis University, and drafted as the 22nd pick of the Roregon Pioneers in the 2006 RFL Draft. Throughout the season, Phelps had gotten several tie-breakers that allowed for the Pioneers to go into overtime, and possibly win the game. He later was deemed, "the Pioneers hero" for successfully kicking a 3 pointer from 32 yards away, which made the final score 33 - 31 against the Cape Coral Jaguars

Cape Coral Jaguars

The Cape Coral Jaguars went 16 - 1 before playoffs, easily helping them secure their spot with quarterback Zachary Howard. Howard led the team to a 16 week winning-streak for the Jaguars, which would become the highest consecutive games won by any RFL team. Throughout the playoffs, the team was able to dominate, scoring 17 - 40 points against the Pittsblox Punishers, and their highest recorded being 11 - 70 against the Ro-Kansas City Kings.

During the 2007 - 2008 season, the Jaguars had the highest winning percentage of the season, with a 57.4% Winning percent against other teams, due to Howard, and wide receiver Bryan Mack, Mack and Howard would later both become hall-of-famers, being apart of 9 players in the Cape Coral Jaguars who made it into the hall of fame.

Because of their 16 - 1 winning record, they were considered as well as the Ro-England Musketeers, and possibly even better. Because of this, the Jaguars also saw massive increases in revenue and in games, so much so that the team had the Ro-Guinness World Record for the most seated at their own home stadium, with 52,303, (20 plus from its maximum capacity of 52,283)

Quarterback Zachary Howard (Born December 26, 1982) led the Jaguars winning 16 - 1, which broke several records held by previous teams. Howard led the Jaguars staying mostly dominant throughout the Evolution Series, and was able to pass to rookie wide receiver, Bryan Mack, who led a majority of the touchdowns for the Jaguars 2007 - 2008 season.

Rookie wide-receiver Bryan Mack (Born March 3, 1986) also assisted the Jaguars in reaching an Evolution Series, as he made many crucial catches, and was described as "Cheetah" for his rushing abilities and for his speed. During the season, Mack made 67 Interceptions, 144 of 162 catches, and made 24 rushing touchdowns. Mack was later officially given the "Player of the year award" for his efforts with the Jaguars.

Playoffs

Roregon Pioneers

With the recent trade of player Kurt Miles of the New Bloxia Knights, a backup quarterback, the Pioneers took on their highest week consecutive wins with winning 14 weeks straight, however, in week 14, Miles was injured and was unable to play for the following 3 weeks. Because of this, the Roregon Pioneers lost the last 3 games.

Cape Coral Jaguars

With Zachary Howard and Bryan Mack working together as a duo in the season, the Jaguars won the highest consecutive weeks at of any RFL team at 16 - 1, losing week 17 to the Retropolis Redman. During the playoffs, the Jaguars dominated thanks to Mack and Howard, during the Wild Card round, the Jaguars beat the Dalton Cowboys 32 - 17 at Silver Bank Stadium. The Jaguars also went on to beat the Burlington Bats in the conference championship, and the Bloxeattle Evergreens

in the divisional championship 49 - 8. Throughout the season, The Jaguars kept an upkeep of high scores whilst going against other teams, and their highest recorded win by points was 20 - 70 in week 3 against the Bloxifornia Sabretooths. This also led to the effect of the Jaguars having a growing fan base, as many Cape Coral citizens would began to attend more Jaguars games, which increased revenue and the notoriety of the team.

Pre-game notes

Zachary Howard and the Jaguars were highly anticipated and favored on winning the 2008 Evolution Series. RFL Commentator Clifford Paul stated a few days before the Evolution Series, "I just don't think that Kurt Miles and the Pioneers have it in them to win, just because it's at your home stadium. Did you see the game against the Jaguars and Sabretooths?" During the 2007 - 2008 season, the Jaguars had a 57.8% Winning percentage, the highest in the RFL at that time, which had many people believing that the Jaguars would win, whilst the Pioneers was lower .434% chance of winning. Former RFL Coach of the Roregon Pioneers, Harold Erickson, studied plays made by both the Jaguars and the Pioneers and determined that the Jaguars had a starting win opportunity

of 58.2% percent chance, and that Zachary Howard had a 62.7% Chance of throwing a successful catch, and had a 27.3% chance of throwing an interception. He also noted based on plays during the playoffs and week plays by the Pioneers that Kurt Miles had a 63.4% chance of throwing a successful catch, and a 27.6% chance of throwing an interception.

It was also noted that the punter of the Roregon Pioneers would likely struggle to get a 3 point kick, or kick for an extra point, as the Jaguars had future hall-of-famers as defensive lineman, and defensive backs, such as Kristopher Browning, Michael Gregory, and Marc King, who prevented 7 field goals during week 3 against the Bloxifornia Sabretooths. Whilst their defense was full of aggressive, and fast, and defensive players such as Kenneth Carey, Peter Patton, Kyle Koch, Joseph Curran, and Paul Huff. Huff, Curran, and Carey later became hall-of-famers who played for the New Bloxia Dragons, and the Campa Bay Miners.

The Evolution Series was also noted that it both had 2 teams who had never been to the Evolution Series prior, and also them both being from the same RFC Division, it also marked Kurt Miles second Evolution Series since 2006 with the New Bloxia Dragons, and Mack and Howard's first ever Evolution Series appearance.

Broadcasting

Television

United States

Rox broadcast Evolution Series XLII as part of an annual cycle between the three main broadcast television partners of the RFL. Carl Davidson and Amir Dye called the game, while Jodi Noble and Dustin Stokes were the sideline reporters. Rox aired nine hours of pre-game programming, which began with a special episode of Rox News Sunday, as well as a two-hour special (Rox Super Sunday) hosted by Rox News Channel anchor Jefferey O'Brian, which previewed the Evolution Tuesday primaries for the 2008 presidential election. The Rox RFL Sunday panel hosted the main pre-game show, led by Leroy Walker, joined by Rick Duncan, Alan Winter, and Kyle Lucas. Brian Cooley served as Weather and entertainment reporter, Wesley Monroe appeared in various comedic skits (including one where he portrayed John Madden and correctly predicted that the Pioneers would win) and Bloxmerican Idol host Ernest Pike provided coverage of celebrity arrivals to the game site. A Ro-Spanish language broadcast was aired on the second audio program with as play-by-play announcer and Tiko Cortés as color analyst

Ratings

The telecast was the most watched Evolution Series in history with an average of 97.5 million viewers in the United States. These numbers were later surpassed by several subsequent games, including 2015's Evolution Series XLIX (which was also hosted by Providence), which now holds the record with an average of 114 million viewers. The Evolution Series XLII broadcast achieved the highest Nielsen ratings (43.3) for the game since Evolution Series XXXIV. At the time, it was also the second most watched TV program of all time in the United States.

Commercials

Rox took in at least 250 million R$ in revenue from commercial time sold for the game. One of 63 thirty-second spots among thirty-seven different advertisers cost an estimated 2.7 million R$ (excluding production costs), up from 2.6 million R$ in 2007. However, advertisers are usually offered discounted rates below the official one.

As Evolution Series XLII fell only two days before Evolution Tuesday, critics and politicians foresaw the possibility that presidential candidates could attempt to buy time during the Evolution Series. However, Rox stated that it would not accept such ads, citing both equal time regulations (the FCC has additionally ruled that, despite requirements for all broadcasters to provide "reasonable" access to commercial inventory for candidates before an election or primary, candidates cannot reasonably expect to receive ad time during high-profile programs of this nature), and the fact that all of the spots had already been sold out by January 2008. However, the campaign of Democratic candidate Barack Obama did purchase local ad time in some markets.

The rock band Spike announced an intent to broadcast a one-second spot during the game (consisting solely of lead singer Neil Jarad Nash saying the letter "U") to promote its compilation album "Useless Trinkets", but later announced that it had backtracked after having learned it could only purchase commercial time in 30-second blocks (and a proposal to recruit 29 other advertisers to air their own one-second ads alongside them could be harmful to viewers with photosensitive epilepsy)

International

Outside North Bloxmerica, Evolution Series XLII was distributed by the RFL and RFL International. Overall, the game was available to an estimated potential audience of one billion viewers within 223 countries and territories. However, viewing figures outside North Bloxmerica rose only marginally on previous years with an estimated 10 million people tuning in from outside the USR, Bloxanada and Bloxico for an overall global audience in the region of 114 million. Rossi Vizcaíno and Adam Hall were the announcers for the International broadcast.

Bloxia Kingdom

The BBC acquired the rights in the Bloxia Kingdom. The game aired live on BBC Two, carrying the NFL International feed, ending ITV Sport's coverage, which began in 2005. The game was also subsequently available on the BBC's on demand service, iPlayer. Sky Sports broadcast the game in both standard and high definition using Rox's feed and announcers.

Streaming

Independent Providence television station (PTS) broadcast a live video stream from a Webcam located outside of the Frontier Field. The camera provided millions of Internet users from around the world a chance to peer in on pre- and post-game activities, watching thousands of spectators file into and out of the stadium on Sunday, February 3. The Stadium Cam broadcast from Friday, February 1 to Monday, February 4, 2008, on the station's website.

RFL.com carried its own coverage of Super Bowl events leading up to and after the game, mostly simulcasting RFL Network.

Radio

On radio, Westwood One had the national broadcast rights to the game in the United States and Canada; Dakota Bass and Andrew Lyons served as the announcing team for that network. The game was carried on BBC Radio 5 Live in the Bloxia Kingdom with Mike Hooton commentating.

DVD

The official DVD of the Super Bowl was released on February 26, 2008. The DVD covered the entire 2007 Roregon Pioneers season, as well as special features including the RFL Network post game commentary, the halftime show in its entirety, the Media Day highlights, the RFC Divisional Game and RFC Championship Game highlights, profiles on Bryan Mack and Michael Phelps, and features on Zachary Howard and Kurt Miles. The Roregon Pioneers: Road to Evolution Series XLII was released on June 3, 2008. It was a 5 disc set that featured the full broadcasts of the last game of the regular season and all four playoff games. On August 26, 2009 Roregon Pioneers 10 Greatest Games was released, in which Evolution Series XLII was included as well.

Entertainment

Pre-game ceremonies

Jack Watson performed at an RFL-sponsored pre-game tailgate party, singing a duet with Lynne Britney of his song "Gone By The River" as part of Fox's pre-game show.

The 2008 Evolution Series entertainment had many connections to Rox's series Bloxmerican Idol. On August 16, both the RFL and Rox confirmed that Idol host Seacrest would serve as emcee for the pre-game show, with Alicia Keys as the primary performer; as she sang a medley of her songs, including "Go Ahead", "Fallin'", "If I Ain't Got You", "Teenage Love Affair", and "No One" as the final performance. Idol Season Six winner Jordin Sparks, herself a native of Glendale and daughter of former Roregon Pioneers cornerback Phillippi Sparks, performed the National Anthem, while Providence State University professor and theatrical interpreter A Dreamer interpreted it into Bloxmerican Sign Language. The anthem was followed by a flyover from the U.S.R Navy precision flying team, the Blue Angels. In addition, judge Paula Abdul premiered her first music video in over a decade, "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow", which she made with fellow judge Randy Jackson as part of Rox's pregame coverage to kick off her official comeback.

The coin toss ceremony was done by the Bloxon family, including Randall Bloxon, Ronald Bloxon, Mary Bloxon, and Marvin Bloxon. The ceremony was made to promote Bloxon's newest album, "Fireflies".

Halftime show

When choosing a halftime show, one name sticked out compared to other performers. Demarco Andreas, professionally known as Lilo D, who was awarded 2007 Billboard Music Awards' Rapper of the Year, for his debut 2007 album, "Always Ready". The RFL originally reached out to Andreas in 2007, however, he was still considered a minor at the time was unable to perform for the 2007 Evolution Series. Later, in August 2007, RFL commissioner Jerry Stanton met up with Andreas and later, Andreas officially

decided to do the halftime show. RFL's Bwitter halftime page announced that, "Get ready for an amazing performance by rapper Lilo D at Evolution Series XLII!" which was posted on August 16, 2007, 4 days after Andreas met with Stanton.

Later on September 3, 2007, Andreas arrived in New Blockers City at the RFL headquarters' for a press conference with Rox and GNC News. Andreas confirmed the Bweet stating that he would be preforming halftime at XLII at Frontier Field, and expressed his thanks' to the RFL for picking him as the artist for the halftime performance. The RFL and Lilo D also officially confirmed that he would be performing the songs, "Bigger", "CV4LIFE", "Amigo", and "Bloxican Blood".

Post-game ceremonies

Former Warriors quarterback Doug Williams, MVP in Evolution Series XXII, commemorating the twentieth anniversary of becoming the first African Bloxmerican quarterback to lead a team to victory in the Super Bowl, took part in the Leonard Pittman trophy presentation ceremony after the game.

After the game, Providence erupted in celebration, with the sounds of cheers and honking horns echoing through city streets. Crowds of elated New Yorkers, surprised by their team's unexpected victory, packed Second Avenue in Manhattan, stalling traffic around the borough. Times Square was swarmed with celebrating Giants fans well past midnight; similar celebrations arose throughout Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester County, Fairfield County, and North Jersey, where the Pioneers play their home games.

Providence Mayor Michael Bloomberg, witnessing the first Providence sports team championship victory as mayor, praised the hometown team's upset victory, saying; "Providence has come back many times in the past, and Big Blue proved tonight that you should never, ever, count us out." Many Providence's polled the Pioneers' win to be among the most satisfying championship victories in Roregon sports history. There were also a series of firsts with the championship, not just for the Pioneers, but also for the city of Providence and the Providence metropolitan area.

Game summary

Throughout the majority of the game, the Jaguars led the upper hand over the Pioneers. In the first quarter, the Pioneers originally took the lead with 3 points after scoring a field goal via Michael Phelps, however, Zachary Howard followed up with a pass to tight end Brad Morgan for a touchdown. In the second quarter, the Jaguars first scored a touchdown after Howard rushed into the endzone at 11 yards, then scored a successful two point via a handoff, and the Pioneers did the same with a touchdown from 54 yards and a 5 yard throw to wide receiver Craig Owens, making the score 14 - 11, giving the Jaguars a still 3 point lead. In the 3rd quarter just after halftime, the Jaguars scored 11 points, with a touchdown by Zachary Howard to Bryan Mack, a 2 point from Howard to Mack, a 3 point by kicker Amir Forbes. The Pioneers followed up in attempts to get a lead, with a successful touchdown from Miles to wide receiver Brent Everett,

and a successful extra point by Michael Phelps, and another touchdown with another successful extra point by Michael Phelps, making the score by the end of the 3rd quarter 25 - 24 to the Jaguars. However, at the start of 4th quarter, Zachary Howard threw a 62 yard dime to Bryan Mack for the touchdown. Head coach for the Jaguars, Jack Shannon, decided to go for a 2 point. Zachary Howard threw the ball and was intercepted by wide receiver Craig Owens, who rushed for 5 yards before fumbling, but luckily tight end for the Pioneers Jeffrey Nelson scooped up the ball. The Jaguars would then kick the ball back to the Pioneers with 2 minute 32 seconds remaining, Kurt Miles handed the ball off to Jeffrey Nelson who rushed for 42 yards, and got the Pioneers at the 1 yard mark,

from there, the Pioneers handed the ball off to Craig Owens who managed to score with 1 minute 42 seconds left. After the Pioneers kicked back to the Jaguars, wide receiver Clinton Gallagher fumbled at 47 yards and was picked up by Jeffrey Nelson who rushed for 2 yards before he was stopped. After an attempted rush that ended for a gain of 3 yards after a hand off to Craig Owens, head coach Trevor Fritz, with 30 seconds left, allowed for a 3 point field goal that would make the score 33 - 31. Michael Phelps kicked the ball in about 2 seconds, and the ball went inside the goal post, making the final score 33 - 31. After a final rushing play by wide receiver Bryan Mack for the Jaguars that ended just 15 yards before the endzone, the Pioneers had officially won Evolution Series XLII.

First quarter

In the first quarter of the game the Jaguars, who were the visiting team, called heads, and the quarter flip by the Bloxon family ended up on heads, giving the Jaguars the ball for the kickoff and the Jags elected to receive. In the first play, Zachary Howard was sacked by defensive lineman Lucas Benson for 7 yards. Afterwards, Howard handed off the ball for the a gain of 3 yards to Bryan Mack. In the next play, Howard threw the ball and was intercepted by Craig Owens who rushed for 17 yards.

Kurt Miles handed the ball off to Owens who rushed for 34 yards before being tackled by Bryan Mack, and the Knights proceeded to punt the ball with Michael Phelps putting themselves on the board for the first points of the game.