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IFL Indoor Football League

Bay Area Hosts Vegas in Week Eight

May 5, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL) News Release


In the week eight matchup, the Panthers are home to play against the Vegas Knight Hawks. Vegas is 2-3 on the season, coming off a home loss to Northern Arizona while the Panthers are on a two-game-winning streak, last week defeating San Diego Strike Force in a high-scoring thriller 54-51to improve to 3-2. The victory was the first road win in franchise history.

This is the third meeting all-time between the teams with the Panthers looking for their first win in the series.

Last year in Week Four in San Jose, the Panthers scored only six points in the second half and fell 53-27. In the loss, Duane Gary ran for 52 yards and two touchdowns.

Vegas completed the sweep in Week 17, coming away with a 65-33 win at The Dollar Loan Center. Knight Hawks' QB Cameron Dukes threw for 315 yards and six touchdowns. Between two quarterbacks, the Panthers completed a total of six passes. The Knight Hawks converted 8-11 on third downs.

One of the Panthers' offensive strengths is the run game behind the 1-2 punch of Dalton Sneed and Justin Rankin. The Panthers are ranked first in rushing yards per game (95) and fifth in rushing touchdowns (16)

Establishing the run game can create more options and open up the passing attack. Sneed ranks fifth in the league in completed passes and sixth in completion percentage. JT Stokes leads the team in catches with 21 and the emergence of Nih Jackson has provided Sneed with another target.

The Bay Area coaching staff says the Knight Hawks are as talented as any team in the Western Conference with former MVP quarterback Daquan Neal at the top of the marquee. With Neal's athleticism, the Panthers will have to bring a pass rush and try to keep Neal in the pocket. Although not as accurate as previous seasons, Neal still is third in the league in passing yards per game.

The Vegas defense ranks fourth in points allowed at 38.2 per game and leads the league against the pass. Linebacker Jackson Jaquez is coming off an 11-tackle game and ranks third in the league in tackles. He also leads the team tackles for loss.

Kickoff is set for 8:05 p.m. CT Saturday at the SAP Center on International Night.



Indoor Football League Stories from May 5, 2023


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