Post by DiamondThief on Mar 31, 2017 21:25:38 GMT -8
3/31/17 --
WEST VALLEY CITY, UT - Revenge must taste sweet.
In Week two, in what SCtoC site consultant Bannock coined as FANchise Bowl I, the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles rallied to beat the Colorado Crush in overtime, 42-41 in Loveland, Colorado. Tonight, it was the Crush's turn to march into their opponent's territory and get some payback. It was Spencer Groner's 36-yard field goal as time expired which not only gave the Crush a 52-49 win in Utah, but gave the Crush their first win in franchise history.
Both teams are owned by Project FANchise, an innovative organization which gives fans a voice -- and a vote -- in all major team decisions.
The Crush went up 49-43 on a 25-yard pass from quarterback Liam Nadler to wide receiver Lovie Smith III. Groner's kick was no good, which set up Salt Lake for a potential game winning drive.
Screaming Eagles' quarterback Verlon Reed led his team on a four-play, 35-yard drive, which culminated with his six-yard run with 12 seconds left. However, Tim Andrus' kick was blocked and the teams were knotted at 49-49. Just five weeks after that first contest, it appeared the teams might be headed for another overtime shootout.
In the Indoor Football League, 12 seconds can be nearly an eternity.
Following the kickoff, the Crush lined up for Groner's attempt from 42 yards out. The kick went wide right, but the Screaming Eagles were flagged for an offside penalty. That set up Groner's attempt, which sailed through the crossbars. Suddenly, the Crush were on the board in the win column. Earlier in the fourth quarter, Groner nailed a 50-yarder which, at the time, tied the game at 43-43.
No team led by more than nine; the Screaming Eagles' advantage after they scored on a one-yard run from James Poole to open the third quarter. The Crush then scored twice on a pair of touchdown strikes from Nadler to Kyle Kaiser to take a 33-29 advantage less than three minutes into the third quarter.
Nadler, who became the third starting quarterback this season for the Crush, accounted for all seven touchdowns; six passing and one rushing. The Screaming Eagles started Jesse Scroggins under center, but switched to regular starter Reed in the second quarter. Scroggins played the third quarter, and Reed once again came into the game to play the fourth quarter. Both had successful outings.
FANchise Bowl II, as we at SCtoC have dubbed it, was just the second of four meetings between the teams this season. It also featured the highest point totals scored by each team this season, with both teams having scored their previous high in their respective opening games of the season. Previously, the Crush had 41 in their first meeting against the Screaming Eagles, and Salt Lake scored 47 in week 1 against the Nebraska Danger.
The Screaming Eagles had 283 yards of total offense to the Crush's 220, and they held an edge in first downs, 23 to 16. Salt Lake was flagged for 11 accepted penalties. The Crush's accepted penalties were six.
The teams play twice more, in a span of six days; May 7 at Colorado and May 12 at Salt Lake.
Nadler went 12 of 18 for 168 yards and six touchdowns, while rushing five times for 35 yards and a score. Kyle Kaiser was a reliable target, hauling in five balls for 77 yards and three visits to the end zone. Rose had three catches for 72 yards and two scores. Josh Ford had 13 rushing yards and caught a touchdown pass. Ace Clark had a 9.5 tackles, while Kwame Bell recovered a Screaming Eagles fumble.
Reed completed 16 of 22 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing eight times for 41 yards and a score. Scroggins went seven of eight for 82 yards and a touchdown. He also ran three times for 31 yards. James "Bubba" Poole was the star of the night. Poole rushed for 14 yards and three touchdowns, and caught four passes for 37 yards. Cy Strahm tallied six receptions for 70 yards and two scores, while running back Breon Allen grabbed eight receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown. Gianni Olivas led Salt Lake 6.5 tackles, and Ben Compton and Seante Williams contributed to a sack.
The Crush (1-5) have a bye in week 8, and are back in action on April 14 when they visit the Spokane Empire (4-1). The Screaming Eagles (1-4) make their first visit to Texas when they battle the Wichita Falls Nighthawks (4-1) on April 8. Both of those 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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