Post by DiamondThief on Mar 13, 2017 20:24:45 GMT -8
3/13/17 --
WEST VALLEY CITY, UT - Spokane took advantage of a pair of early miscues to take a 28-3 second-quarter lead, then held off a late Salt Lake run to defeat the Screaming Eagles, 41-35.
Empire linebacker Pasquale Vacchio recovered two Screaming Eagles' fumbles in the first quarter. The first led to an 11-yard run from revor Kennedy, and the second resulted in a one-yard sweep around the left side into the end zone from Bryan Pray.
The Screaming Eagles got on the board with 10:42 left in the second quarter on a 37-yard field goal from Trent Andrus, who was just signed the previous week. The Empire then extended their lead on a pair of touchdown passes from Charles Dowdell to Samuel Charles and Dejuan Miller, respectively.
Salt Lake drew to within 28-10 on the final play of the first half when Verlon Reed found Breon Allen in the left corner of the end zone from three yards out.
The Screaming Eagles drew even closer when Devin Mahina caught a five-yard touchdown from Reed on the first possession of the third quarter.
With the Empire up, 41-22 with just under 10 minutes left in the fourth, The Screaming Eagles scored on a 58-yard kickoff return from James Calhoun. They would pull to within six points with 56 seconds left on Mahina's four-yard touchdown from Reed. The Empire would recover the onside kick and run out the clock.
Kennedy was stellar for the Empire, rushing for 101 yards and three touchdowns. It was a key performance by last season's IFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after breaking his leg late last season and missing the playoffs.
Vacchio had two fumble recoveries for the Empire, while Don Unamba picked off Dowdell twice. Unamba leads the IFL with four interceptions on the season.
Dowdell completed five of nine passes for 74 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He rushed five times for 31 yards. Charles caught four passes for 61 yards and a score. John Griggs recorded an impressive three sacks and Andrew Jackson added one. Robert Brown led the defense with nine tackles, while Tyree Robinson have seven.
Reed was solid for the Screaming Eagles, completing 19 of 36 passes for 144 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing eight times for 33 yards.Cy Strahm led all receivers with eight grabs for 81 yards. Mahina caught five passes for 29 yards and three scores. Allen added four receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown. In addition to his two interceptions Unamba led the Screaming Eagles with eight tackles. Brock Lutes had seven tackles and Antion McBee had an interception.
Maverik Center attendance was announced at 4,196.
The Empire (2-1) have a short turnaround before visiting the Colorado Crush (0-3) on March 17 at 5:05 p.m. (PT). The Screaming Eagles (1-2) have a bye week in week five, then turn around to visit the Empire on March 24 with a kickoff set for 7 p.m. (PT). 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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