Beaumont Drillers mid-week report
June 3, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Beaumont Drillers News Release
BEAUMONT, TX -- The Drillers (6-4) are fresh off their first franchise victory over Lake Charles in their short two-year history in Beaumont, winning in dominating fashion 48-28 on May 27 in Beaumont.
The Driller defense showed its dominance early as Eric Jackson and Duane Joubert added to their interception totals in the 1st quarter.
In the meantime, Beaumont built a 17-0 lead and never looked back. QB Marc Saldana was 15 of 27 for 144 yards with 4 TDs and 2 INTs. Pat Palmer caught 3 of those TD passes with 56 yards and Chad Luttrull added 1 score to go along with a team-high 77 yards. RB Anthony Johnson finished the game with 2 scores with 58 yards on the ground. "We still had some sloppy play on offense," said head coach Bryan Blake. "We got a big lead, then didn't put them away. We need to learn how to do that."
The defense limited the Lake Charles to 169 total yards including 5 turnovers. Jackson returned 1 of his 2 picks for a 50-yard score.
With the win, Beaumont is just a 1/2-game behind second place Tupelo (6-3), who lost to first place Houma 60-58.
Beaumont will hit the road to face a tough Utah Warriors squad. Utah (5-6) is the defending Pacific West champions. Kickoff is 8 pm (CDT) at the E-Center in West Valley City, Utah (just minutes from Salt Lake City).
**INJURY REPORT**
OUT: Troy Sumrall (ankle), QB Ted Robison, DL/FB Nick Mitchell (NFL Combine).
T.J. Light returns and Dorian Williams will start at nose-guard. Kasey Nonette will back up Saldana at QB and the Drillers have signed former Waco Marshal and University of Houston defensive lineman Carlos Chester (6-5, 300 lbs.)
**Last time they met...**
July 5, 2003, Beaumont Civic Center
Utah 56, Beaumont 44
**UTAH UPDATE** (www.utahwarriors.com)
The Warriors have lost 3 straight, but have been battling injuries, especially with starting QB Doug Smith. The Warriors lost last week, 62-37, to Sioux Falls. Cole Cooper, filling in for the injured quarterback Doug Smith, was 13 of 28 for 150 yards with three touchdowns and three picks.
-The Warriors must beat Beaumont to stay alive for the Pacific Conference playoffs.
-When healthy, Smith is very dangerous both in the air and on the ground. He is 117 for 196 for 1,519 with 31 TDs and 9 INTs while rushing for 349 yards and 9 scores.
-RB Omar Bacon is 3rd in the NIFL in scoring with 142 points.
-LB Bart Amundson is 5th in the league with 63.5 total tackles.
-Cody Jamison is 1st in the NIFL in kick returns averaging 29.6 per return.
-Utah outscores opponents 52-45 at home.
-Utah1s defense is ranked near the bottom of the barrel giving up 259.7 yards per game.
-Utah is 4-2 at home this season and average 4,359 fans per home game.
**DRILLERS, INSIDE THE NUMBERS**
-No. 2 scoring defense with 31.5 points and ranked 4th overall giving up only 169.6 yards per contest.
-1st in the league with a turnover ration of +15.
-4th in the league pass defense (115.0 yds per).
-5th in the league rushding defense (54.6).
-QB Marc Saldana is 8th in pass efficiency (103.5).
-WR Chad Luttrull 4th in NIFL in receptions (55), 7th rec. yards per game (62.7).
-LB Eric Winchester is 8th in the NIFL in total tackles (58.5).
**Coach's Corner**
Head coach Bryan Blake says...
-"We are a much better defense when Duane Joubert and Troy Espirit are in the lineup."
-"This is going to be a big week for our defense. Utah relies heavily on their offense."
-"We are working on our red-zone offense this week in practice. We need to score more often once we are inside the 20."
**The Drillers will practice tonight (Wed.) and Thursday at 6:30 pm at the LL Melton YMCA.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from June 3, 2004
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- Greyhounds sign Roberson - Ohio Valley Greyhounds
- Beaumont Drillers mid-week report - Beaumont Drillers
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