UIF Omaha Beef

Beef Hope To Freeze Ice Saturday

April 25, 2008 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Omaha Beef News Release


The BEEF will host the Colorado Ice on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. The meeting between the two Western Conference rivals will be the only one this season. The match-up between the two teams will be the fourth in the past 13 months, but the first since July 14, 2007. The BEEF currently lead the all-time series two games to one.

Omaha is coming off a 47-29 win over the Bloomington Extreme last Saturday evening at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Leading the way for the BEEF were quarterback James McNear, their defense and kicker Ricky Lebeda. McNear had 194 yards of total offense (21 rushing and 173 passing) and had a hand in four touchdowns (two rushing and two passing). For his efforts, he was named Offensive Player of the Week by United Indoor Football. The defense sacked quarterback Freddie Ray once and also intercepted him twice (both by Diezeas Calbert). On special teams, Ricky Lebeda made two-of-three field goals and went five-of-six on extra points to contribute 11 points.

Colorado is coming off a win as well, having defeated the Sioux City Bandits 55-32 last Friday at home. The Ice are 2-4 on the season.

The BEEF will offer half price tickets for any children 14 and under that come to the game. If people are interested in the promotion, they can contact the BEEF office at (402) 346-BEEF (2333) or stop by the Omaha Civic Auditorium box office, beginning at noon Saturday.

The game, which will begin at 7 p.m., is being promoted as "Kids Night." The first 1,000 kids through the doors will receive a set of 2008 Omaha Beef trading cards. Kids and families are encouraged to come to the game early and enjoy the BEEF Boardwalk complete with clowns, face painting and inflatable games provided by Bobo's Bouncy Town.

MID-SEASON REVIEW

The BEEF are 5-2 and in first place of the UIF Western Conference at the halfway point of the season.

§ Team highlights have included:

- Winning the home opener 52-45 before the second-biggest crowd in team history of 7,634 on March 15th against Bloomington.

- Defeating Sioux Falls 34-18 on March 29th, thus ending the Storm's 40-game winning streak, the longest in professional sports.

- The current four-game winning streak the team is on, which is tied for the 4th longest in team history The BEEF also had four wins in-a-row last season. Only a 10-game streak in 2001, a six-game streak in 2003, and a five-game streak in 2001 were longer.

- The 5-2 mark by the team is the second-best start after seven games. The BEEF were also 5-2 in 2002, 2003 and 2004. In 2001, the team started 7-0.

- Heading into Saturday's game, the team ranks near the top of several UIF categories:

o Scoring defense - 2nd, allowing only 33.9 points per game

o Pass defense - 3rd, allowing only 146 yards per game

o Turnover margin - 1st, +9 (causing 17 turnovers while only losing eight)

o Rushing offense - 1st, averaging 91.9 yards per game

o Rushing defense - 1st, allowing only 45 yards per game

o Total offense - 2nd, averaging 234 yards per game

o Total defense - 1st, allowing only 191 yards per game

- Six interceptions against Wichita, which tied a UIF record. The team has intercepted 14 on the year, tops in the UIF as well.

- Individual highlights have included:

o A 56-yard field goal by Ricky Lebeda in week 1 at Billings, which tied for second-longest in UIF history (tied Chace Long for longest in team history).

o Three BEEF players have been UIF Players of the Week:

§ Diezeas Calbert - week 4, for his play against the Sioux Falls Storm

§ Ricky Lebeda - week 5, for his play against RiverCity Rage

§ James McNear - week 7, for his play against Bloomington Extreme

o Brent Hafford had three interceptions at Wichita while Calbert has intercepted two passes twice this season (home against Sioux Falls and at Bloomington)

o James McNear ran for 79 yards and threw for 176 yards in the March 15th game against Bloomington. He had a hand in five touchdowns (one rushing and four passing.)

BLOOD DRIVE UPDATE

The "Bleed for the BEEF" campaign is up and running. The campaign will run until May 31st. The BEEF invite their fans as well as the general public to donate blood. To be able to donate, donors must meet the following qualifications: must be at least 17 years old (16 in Nebraska with a signed Red Cross parental/guardian consent form), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. During the campaign, anyone who donates will receive a 2-for-1 ticket voucher to be used at any of the team's remaining home games this season. For more information about blood donation, please contact the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or log on to www.givebloodgivelife.org.

MEAT WAGON BUS TRIPS

Interested in following the BEEF on the road? Contact the BEEF office today at (402) 346-BEEF to reserve your spots on the Meat Wagon. The Meat Wagon is planning excursions to Sioux City ($25) for the May 10th game, Wichita ($75) for the May 31st game and a return trip to Bloomington ($95) on June 7th. We feel we have the greatest fans in indoor football and already have had great crowd support on the road this season. We urge you to plan to join us on the Sioux City bus trip as we face off against our I-29 and longtime rivals, the Bandits.

BEEF FOOTBALL CAMP - MAY 17TH

Does your child want to grow up to be the next James McNear or Colin Bryant? If so, the BEEF will hold a football camp on the morning of their May 17th game. Head Coach Steve Warren, his coaching staff and players will be putting on a football camp for children of all ages. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., children will have the opportunity to learn more about indoor football from those who know it best. For only $45, your child will receive camp instruction, a t-shirt, lunch and ticket to the game against the Billings Outlaws. Additional tickets can be purchased by calling the BEEF office. To register your child for the camp or to find out more information, please contact the BEEF office at (402) 346-BEEF (2333) today.

NEXT HOME GAME = Saturday - May 3rd = Ladies Night

There will be a lot of orange and black in the Omaha Civic Auditorium next Saturday when the Wichita Wild come to town to face off against the BEEF at 7 p.m. The two teams have already met once this season, April 10th in Wichita, where Omaha came out with a 31-24 victory over the Wild. The teams will also meet once more, May 31st, in Wichita. The Wild are currently 1-5 in their first season in the UIF, having joined the league last July and began play in March of this year.

KEY BEEF EVENTS

Sat April 26 Jr. Prime Dancer Camp 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Both events are at

Colorado Ice at BEEF 7 p.m. the Omaha Civic

"Kids Night" Auditorium

Wed April 30 Coaches' Show 7 p.m. Side Pockets

Sat May 3 Wichita Wild at BEEF 7 p.m. Omaha Civic Auditorium

"Ladies Night"

Wed May 6 Coaches' Show 7 p.m. Side Pockets

Sat May 10 BEEF at Sioux City Bandits 7:05 p.m. Tyson Events Center

Gateway Arena



United Indoor Football Association Stories from April 25, 2008


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