Slow Start Dooms Green Bay Blizzard vs Cedar Rapids 58-39
March 16, 2014 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release
Green Bay, WI - An inspired performance by backup quarterback Nate Wara wasn't enough to overcome an early deficit, as the Blizzard lost their home opener to Cedar Rapids 39-58 on Aurora BayCare Field at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The loss leaves the Blizzard at 0-3 on the season, while the Titans improved to 2-1 overall. Green Bay is now 3-4 all-time against Cedar Rapids, and has lost the last four games the two teams have played.
In a rematch of the teams' week three contest, the Blizzard started slowly and fell into a 13-point hole, which proved too difficult to rise above. Titans quarterback Spencer Ohm had a stellar day against his former team, passing for 157 yards, rushing for 53, and being a part of seven of his team's eight touchdowns. The Blizzard defense never got comfortable against the Titans' offensive attack.
After gaining only five yards on offense in the first quarter, Head Coach Chad Baldwin made a change at quarterback and replaced starter Taylor Perkins with rookie Nate Wara. The switch provided a much-needed spark for the Blizzard offense, as Wara lead a 35-yard drive and scored on a one-yard run in his first series under center.
The 4,010 fans in attendance were happy to see Wara, a local product and former standout quarterback for the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh football team. An audible cheer went up when the backup's name was announced over the sound system, and a number of fans sported his college football jersey.
The Titans put a damper on the crowd's enthusiasm though, as Ohm scampered for a 35-yard touchdown on the very next series to give Cedar Rapids a 27-7 lead. After the Titans scored a safety on the next possession, Wara capped the final drive of the first half with an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Allen Daniels, giving the Blizzard momentum going into the second half trailing 14-29.
Despite a strong end to the half for Green Bay, the Titans scored the next two touchdowns, opening up a 42-17 lead that the Blizzard couldn't overcome. The two teams traded scores for the rest of the game, and the Titans notched the final points on an Ohm touchdown pass.
Nate Wara finished with 83 yards passing, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 35 yards and two touchdowns. RB Lucien Walker led all recievers with 37 yards. DB James Ackel led the team on defense with 9.5 tackles.
Spencer Ohm led the Titans completing 12 of 18 passes fro 157 yards, five touchdowns. LaRon Council led the team in rushing with 92 yards and one touchdown. WR Carl Sims had four catches for 71 yards and two touchdowns. LB Courtney Daniels had 7.5 tackles to lead the Titans defense.
The Blizzard will have to wait one more week for another chance at their first win of the season, as they travel to take on the Texas Revolution next Sunday March 23. . The Titans will head back home to Cedar Rapids to take on the Tri-Cities Fever Saturday night.
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