Arkansas wins thriller in Overtime
Published on June 30, 2007 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release
(North Little Rock, AR) - The Arkansas Twisters/Tulsa Talons rivalry lived up to billing once again as the Twisters won a thriller against their arch rival 45-39 in front of 5572 at Allstate Field at Alltel Arena.
Arkansas (9-3) scored twice at the end of the first half to take a 27-14 lead at half. Brian Villanueva threw two first half touchdowns in his first start since breaking his foot six weeks before.
Tulsa (10-2) started the second quarter with a 42 yard field goal by Luke Phillips. Don McGee intercepted Villanueva and returned it 37 yards for the touchdown and the extra point pulled the Talons within three.
The Twisters scored twice to start the fourth quarter when Michael Dansby caught a one yard pass from Davon Vinson. Arkansas scored again when Villanueva found Robert Kilow to put Arkansas up 39-24 with 5:53 left in the game.
The Talons drove down field on their next possession and scored when backup quarterback Justin Allgood found Steven Battle for a 12 yard score.
Tulsa booted the ensuing kickoff deep instead of an on-side kick, and the Twisters began the drive with 1:44 left and hopes of running out the clock. Villanueva was intercepted by former Twisters player Delenell Reid and returned to the Arkansas seven. The Talons scored with no time left on the clock when Allgood pitched the ball to Hughley to pull within two points. Tulsa's two point try was good when Allgood found Andre Forde to tie the game at 39 at the end of regulation.
Tulsa began overtime one offense and started the drive at their own three yard line. Allgood completed the first pass to Forde but was stripped of the ball by Reggie Cooley. Kevin Williams picked up the loose ball and returned six yards for the touchdown and the win.
Villanueva completed 17 of 33 passes for 207 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Vinson completed all three pass attempts for 18 yards and two total touchdowns. Kilow, Williams, Jon Schoonover, and Dansby all had one touchdown catch each.
Tulsa starting quarterback Josh Blankenship completed 13 of 28 for 105 yards and two total touchdowns. Allgood completed seven of 10 for 42 yards and one score. Forde caught a game high 10 passes for 86 yards and one score.
No two teams have played more often than Arkansas-Tulsa. The teams have played one another 17 times, including playoffs, with nine games decided by eights points or less.
The win pulls the Twisters to within one game of Central Division leader Tulsa in the standings. Arkansas will play again on Saturday, July 7th at Bossier-Shreveport.
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