Quarterback Tetsuo Takata is talked about as if he's a historical figure for Ritsumeikan University's football program.
Takata led the perennial football powerhouse in Kyoto to two consecutive Rice Bowl titles in 2003 and '04, representing the last time a collegiate representative defeated an industrial Japan X Bowl champion in the game.
Time has past and now the Ritsumeikan squad, who captured the Koshien Bowl title to become the collegiate national champions by beating Hosei University 19-8 on Dec. 21, is going to challenge their revered alumnus when they face the Panasonic Electric Impulse in the 62nd edition of the national championship at Tokyo Dome on Jan. 3.