Beef Win 34-18 to End Sioux Falls' 40-Game Winning Streak
Published on March 31, 2008 under United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Omaha Beef News Release
Omaha, NE - Mark it down: Saturday, March 29, 2008 will be a date that will forever live in the sports history books. The Omaha Beef professional indoor football team has weathered the storm by defeating their rival, the Sioux Falls Storm 34-18 Saturday evening before a crowd of 5,184, thus ending the Storm's 40-game winning streak.
The BEEF picked up a critical Western Conference win in defeating the Storm, who had defeated Omaha six straight times, all part of the streak. Ironically, the streak, the longest in professional sports, had begun in Omaha with the Storm's 51-41 win over the BEEF on July 30, 2005.
After an opening touchdown by the Storm, the BEEF marched right down the field, culminating the drive with a five-yard touchdown pass from James McNear to Blake Fuchtman. Fuchtman, a native of Creighton, Nebraska and a graduate of Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, celebrated a collection of firsts on the play. It was his first catch, first touchdown and first game of his young BEEF career. On the subsequent possession, former Omaha Creighton Prep defensive back Diezeas Calbert intercepted Storm quarterback Terrance Bryant and returned it 30 yards. Just six plays later, McNear connected with former Dana College Viking Javon Bell on his first touchdown of the season. The first quarter ended with Omaha ahead of Sioux Falls 14-7.
The second quarter scoring began with a field goal by the Storm to bring them within four at 14-10. The BEEF added to their advantage thanks to an 18-yard field goal by former Omaha Northwest Husky and Dana College Viking Ricky Lebeda. After Sioux Falls' next possession ended with a missed field goal, the BEEF regained possession. Omaha got the ball back with 8:44 remaining in the quarter. The drive was the David Horne and James McNear show as the duo had a hand in the every play of the 45-yard drive. Horne, the former Omaha Central star, finished off the drive as he rushed in from a yard out to pad the BEEF's lead to 14 at 24-10. Calbert intercepted Bryant once again on the next Storm possession as Omaha went into halftime with a 24-10 lead.
The second half highlights were provided by many of the same faces. In the third quarter, Lebeda added a 20-yard field goal with 10:12 remaining to put Omaha up 27-10. Following a drive that ended with a missed field goal by Sioux Falls, the BEEF strung together a nine-play, 45-yard drive, which was concluded by Horne rushing in again from a yard out. At this point, Omaha led 34-10. After a third quarter that saw the Storm not score any points, Bryant rushed in from three yards out to bring them within 16 at 34-18 on their first possession of the fourth quarter.
BEEF Head Coach Steve Warren is pleased with how well his team played on Saturday.
"It's a big win for the team," Warren said. "The biggest part was playing team football and getting back to 2-2. Ending the streak simply was an incentive."
Omaha will next be in action Saturday evening at 7 p.m. when they host the RiverCity Rage on "Mascot Night" at "the Slaughterhouse." The BEEF look forward to welcoming Miles the horse and Viktor the Viking from the NFL's Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings, respectively. Several other area mascots have agreed to appear as well.
The Omaha Beef opened their 2008 home season versus the Bloomington Extreme on March 15, 2008. All home games will be played at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. The Beef are a member of the United Indoor Football Association, the premier indoor football league in America. The Beef are committed to making a positive difference in the Omaha area through football, fun and community service. For more information about the Beef, log on to www.beeffootball.com.
United Indoor Football Association Stories from March 31, 2008
- Storm Join "Big Give" Fundraising Efforts - Sioux Falls Storm
- Week Four Review - UIF
- Beef Defeat Storm 34-18; Win Ends Sioux Falls' 40-Game Winning Streak - Omaha Beef
- Outlaws Receivers on the Mend - Billings Outlaws
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Beef Win 34-18 to End Sioux Falls' 40-Game Winning Streak - Omaha Beef
- Colorado stops Extreme at U.S. Cellular Coliseum - Bloomington Extreme
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