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Bandits Rout Ghostriders for Inaugural Win, 66-13

April 17, 2005 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Richmond Bandits News Release


Richmond, Va. – Using offensive efficiency and a stifling defensive effort, the Richmond Bandits earned the first win for both the franchise and league as they routed the Ghostriders in the season opener Saturday night, 66-13.

The Bandits (1-0) scored on four of its first five possessions to race to the commanding lead which the defense sustained, pitching a shutout for three of the four quarters of action.

"Obviously, I'm happy with the win tonight," said head coach Rik Richards. "But there were things I'm sure we'll see once we go back and watch the film, but overall, I'm pleased with the way we played both on offense and defense."

After winning the opening coin toss, the Bandits never looked back, scoring on their second play from scrimmage. Starting quarterback Will Burch found a streaking Redd Thompson for a 30-yard touchdown pass and the early 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing drive, Richards' defense struck for its first of seven takeaways on the night as ‘rider QB Travis Pender fumbled the exchange from center and linebacker Mike Davis pounced on the loose football for Richmond. But the Bandits could not capitalize on the miscue as Burch put it on the carpet himself one play later.

After the Ghostriders' drive stalled, due in part to a pair of penalties and a Bandit sack, Richmond's Lawrence Lewis broke through and swatted kicker Sharif Zahir's 38-yard field goal attempt, setting up the offense on its own 19-yard line. One play later, Burch found former Virginia Tech standout Bryan Still for 31-yard touchdown strike – his first of four – and the 14-point advantage.

Richmond would continue the offensive onslaught, taking a commanding 34-0 lead into the locker room at halftime before building the advantage to as many as 46 while continuing to pitch the shutout.

The Ghostriders (0-1) would add a pair of scores in the third quarter before the Bandits' defense responded to the challenge by their head coach, keeping the opponent off the scoreboard in the final stanza.

Burch finished the night completing 13-of-18 passes for 184 yards and five touchdown strikes. He was lifted at the start of the third quarter for back-up Robbie Jenkins, who experienced similar success nailing 8-of-11 for 123 yards and three scores.

Rookie DeAndre Green was the favorite target of the two Bandits gun slingers, hauling in a team-high six passes for 79 yards and a score. But it was rookie counterpart Bryan Still and arenafootball2 veteran Redd Thompson that did the damage on the scoreboard. Still caught five passes, four of which went for six, while Thompson pulled down four, three of which ended in celebration. The duo combined for 149 of the Bandits' 307 yards receiving on the night.

"Redd (Thompson) and Bryan (Still) played like veterans for us tonight in their first indoor game. They were able to get open and our quarterbacks made some nice plays to put the ball in their hands," said Richards.

Defensively, the post-game accolades could have been spread around to several different performers. Fullback/linebacker Mike Davis tallied seven total tackles, including four solo stops, two for loss, and one and half a sacks. He also recovered a pair of fumbles in the win. Two Bandits picked off a pair of passes apiece as Richard Rogers and Nate Daniels each tallied two interceptions and a trio of pass breakups in the win. Rogers' INT came in the end zone, thwarting a ‘Rider drive and resulting in a Bandit touchdown as he took it 50 yards for the score.

Also recording a score on defense was linebacker Chris Segaar. He returned a fumble 20 yards for the touchdown that game Richmond the 46-0 advantage midway through the third quarter.

Richards said, "This may have been the most complete game I've seen Mike Davis play in the three seasons he's been on my teams. He made some key plays for us, as did Richard Rogers and Nate Daniels."

Richmond will travel to Erie, Pa., for a match-up with the Freeze on Saturday, April 23. The game will be broadcast live on the web at www.richmondbandits.com.

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