Post by DiamondThief on Feb 26, 2017 18:09:13 GMT -8
2/26/17 --
LOVELAND, CO - It literally came down to the end, and then some.
The Salt Lake Screaming Eagles came away with the first win in their franchise's history, over the Colorado Crush tonight.
With the Screaming Eagles trailing 41-34 in overtime, Verlon Reed found Zavier Steward for a four-yard touchdown. Reed's two-point conversion pass to Juwan Dotson in the left side of the end zone, and it was all over. Salt Lake came away with the 42-41 win.
It was the first game between the teams, both owned by Project FANchise.
The Crush took their first lead since the first quarter when QB Sean Goldrich hit Josh Ford on a 15-yard touchdown pass. Goldrich's rush for the two-point conversion was successful, and the Crush led 34-28 with 52 seconds to play in the fourth quarter.
The Screaming Eagles struck back with seven seconds left in the quarter, as Reed Found Devin Mahina for a 15-yard score. The Screaming Eagles had a chance to win with the point after try, but Cy Strahm's kick was blocked.
The teams got off to a slow start. At the one minute warning in the second quarter, the Crush led 7-6. Each team scored in that last minute, with the Crush not converting on the point after due to a bad snap, and the Screaming Eagles converting a two-point conversion after their touchdown.
The 34-34 tie at the end of regulation was the only tie of the game.
In an even statistical game, the game was bound to come down to one play. The Crush had an edge in first downs, 20-19, and total offense, 283 yards to 279 yards. Don Unamba recorded his second interception in as many games, and Steward also had a defensive interception. The Screaming Eagles did not turn the ball over.
Reed completed 25 of 34 passes for 211 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed 12 times for 61 yards. Steward recorded 24 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown. Devin Mahina led the Screaming Eagles with five receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. Juwan Dotson added six catches for 54 yards, and Brock Lutes had five grabs for 51 yards and a pair of scores. Unamba, L.T. Filaga and Ed Burns each recorded seven tackles for the Screaming Eagles.
Goldrich went 15 of 24 for 155 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 74 yards and two scores. Ford rushed 10 times for 46 yards and a touchdown, and caught 3 passes for 23 yards and another score. Kyle Kaiser paced the Crush receiving corps with 4 grabs for 66 yards and a touchdown, while Tim Lukas added four receptions for 28 yards. Paris Cotton had a receiving touchdown for Colorado. Antonio Marshall led the defense with 10 tackles. Derrick Morgan added nine tackles, and Azziz HIggins had eight.
The Screaming Eagles (1-1) have a bye in week 3. They are back in action on March 13 when they host the Spokane Empire (1-0) at 6 p.m. (pacific). The Crush (0-1) will host the Nebraska Danger (1-1) on March 5 with a 2 p.m. kickoff. Both games, as well as all of the leagues games this season are available for streaming on the IFL's Youtube channel.
- ANM
(Graphic courtesy SCtoC)
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