af2 Iowa Barnstormers

11,627 See Undefeated Stormers Win, 73-68

April 4, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release


DES MOINES - A record-breaking crowd of 11,627 fans witnessed an offensive explosion as new starting QB Brian Villanueva threw for seven touchdown passes and ran for two more as the Iowa Barnstormers improved to 2-0 on the young season in a 73-68 win over the visiting Tulsa Talons (1-1) as a late Tulsa rally ended four yards short of the endzone as time expired.

According to Barnstormers team officials, tonight's attendance of 11,627 is the largest crowd to ever witness an arena football game in the state of Iowa. Villanueva (24-39, 244 yards) outdueled Talons QB Justin Allgood (31-42, 406 yards), who threw for nine scores

The visiting Talons struck quickly, jumping out to an early 13-3 lead on the strength of two Allgood touchdown strikes to Zach Edwards (11 rec,143 yds) for 11 yards and Jeff Hughley (12 rec, 168 yds) for 31 yards. The ‘Stormers responded on the next play from scrimmage as Villanueva found a streaking Tim Dodge (11 rec., 124 yds) down the right sideline for a 45-yard scoring reception. Villanueva and Dodge connected again on a six yard score as the final quarter came to a close with the ‘Stormers leading 24-20.

The second quarter began with both teams trading scores as Villanueva ran in a one-yard score, while the Talons' Allgood and Hughley hooked up for the second score, this one from fifteen yards, which closed the Barnstormers edge to 31-27.

A turning point in the second quarter was a fumbled Talons' snap from fourth-and-one on the ‘Stormers' one-yard line as Iowa took possession and marched methodically down the field until Villanueva found Errick McCown (8 rec, 73 yds) in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard Barnstormers touchdown. The high-powered Talon quickly responded as Allgood threw his fourth score of the first half, a 17-yarder to Edwards. After the ensuing Barnstormers drive stalled, the Talons immediately answered as Hughley took a missed Jeff Glas field goal the entire length of the field for a 58 yard score. The ‘Stormers responded as Dusty Kain (1 rec, 17 yds) took in a tipped Villanueva pass for a 17-yard score and Iowa took a 48-45 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The second half continued the offensive outburst, as the Talons' Hughley and Edwards, as well as Iowa's McCown both hauled in two second half touchdown receptions while the ‘Stormers Dodge added his third with a 17-yard TD reception.



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