Empire Perfect against Crush in 97-72 Win
April 10, 2016 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Spokane Empire News Release
Spokane Empire Advance the Ball
(Spokane Empire, Credit: Zach Edwards Photography)
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Empire (4-1, 2-1) defeated the Colorado Crush (0-6, 0-3) by a final score of 97-72 in Week 8 Indoor Football League action at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
Spokane's 97 total points eclipsed a franchise record of 90 from the 2012 Arena Football League season against the San Jose Sabercats. It is also the first time in the 2016 IFL season that a team has broken the 80 and 90-point marks.
The Empire offensive was perfect on the night, converting on all 14 of their possessions led by the offensive duo of quarterback Charles Dowdell and running back Trevor Kennedy.
Kennedy recorded 14 carries for 59 yards while adding four receptions for 18 yards and seven total touchdowns (four rushing, three receiving). Dowdell completed 21-of-27 pass attempts for 172 yards and eight touchdowns to four different receivers on the night.
Jefferson Hayes led the Spokane receiving effort with 8 catches for 95 yards and two scores. Carl Sims added three receiving touchdowns on the night as well.
Spokane jumped out to a 56-31 lead at the half thanks to their potent offensive play as well as the defense producing key stops.
Linebacker Pasquale Vacchio recorded his first interception of the season by the way of a one-handed grab. Defensive back Tyree Robinson led the Empire with seven total tackles on the night while defensive back Robert Brown and linebacker Nick Haag added six total tackles each.
The Crush kicking game contributed to a number of issues for Colorado. Beyond a missed field goal attempt and converting only 6-of-11 extra points, the field position battle was lost on a number of occasions by errant kicks out of bounds.
Despite being down early, Colorado battled back in the second half and matched the Empire score for score in route to a franchise season-high of 72 points.
Colorado quarterback Damien Fleming completed 19-of-27 pass attempts for 193 yards and six touchdowns while adding four carries for 14 yards and four rushing scores. The Crush's receiving effort was led by, as it has been throughout the season, by Demarius Washington who hauled in seven receptions for 107 yards and four touchdowns.
Next week, the Empire will go on the road for the first of two back-to-back road games to take on the Iowa Barnstormers in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday, April 16 with 5:00 p.m. PT kickoff at Wells Fargo Arena. Next week's game will be available online via IFLLive.TV and via AM 700 ESPN Radio Spokane.
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 Spokane Empire Advance the Ball (Zach Edwards Photography) |
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Indoor Football League Stories from April 10, 2016
- Empire Perfect against Crush in 97-72 Win - Spokane Empire
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