BlueCats Advance After Playoff Win
July 17, 2006 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Evansville BlueCats News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN: The Evansville BlueCats claimed their first playoff victory in team history on Saturday night in Omaha and will advance to the UIF semi-finals. The BlueCats have been on a roll during the last 6 weeks winning 5 of their last 6 games. The win also gives Evansville the 2-1 edge in the series with Omaha this season as the BlueCats avenged their most lopsided loss of the season at Omaha earlier in the year on April 9th. Evansville will now face a rematch with the top seeded Sioux Falls Storm on Sunday July 23rd.
BlueCats quarterback Aaron Leak had his best game of the season passing for 222 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also rushed for 14 yards. It took Leak only 11 completions to get to 222 passing yards, for an amazing average of 22 yards per completion. 222 yards passing is a new season high for Leak. The 45-yard first quarter touchdown pass from Leak to BlueCats receiver Tyrone Walker was the longest play from scrimmage in team history.
Naturally the BlueCats receivers had impressive numbers also. Tommy Manus led the way with 5 catches for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 37-yard strike in the second quarter. Tyrone Walker also had a big night with 3 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown. Levander Segars added 2 catches for 24 yards and one touchdown.
Evansville fell behind 7-0 early when Beef quarterback Andy Major scrambled for a 5-yard touchdown run on Omaha's opening possession. After Major's touchdown, the BlueCats defense did not allow Omaha to reach the end zone for the rest of the night.
The BlueCats built up a 23-10 lead late in the 2nd quarter and forced the Beef to kick a field goal to make the score 23-13 with 33 seconds left to go in the first half. The BlueCats seemed to be in good shape with a two possession lead. Evansville was set to get the ball back with 33 seconds left before halftime and would get the ball to start the second half, but BlueCats nearly made a costly mistake when they almost failed to advance the ball out of the end zone on the ensuing kickoff. The BlueCats took over on their own one yard line. On first down, Aaron Leak attempted to rush up the middle and fumbled. The ball bounced around the end zone where Dale Jennings was able to fall on it for the safety, preventing a Beef touchdown. Now the Beef would get an extra unexpected possession to end the half. Omaha quickly got great field position thanks to an Evansville pass interference penalty that gave the Beef first and goal on the Evansville one. Down by 8 with only 3 seconds left in the first half, the Beef had time for just one more play. Omaha decided to go for it and put the ball in the hands of the UIF's leading rusher, running back RJ Rollins. The BlueCats stopped Rollins for no gain on the play as time ran out in the first half and went into the locker room up 23-15.
Evansville shut out Omaha in the second half. Jerrell Hardy intercepted a pass and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Omaha only had two possessions in the fourth quarter to try and close the gap but the defense stopped them both times, once on downs and once on an interception, to seal a 37-15 playoff victory.
The BlueCats defense continued to play well in the playoff game against Omaha. They intercepted Omaha quarterback Andy Majors 4 times in the game, with defensive backs Tarron Acuff, AJ Bryant, Vernon Turner, and Jerrell Hardy all grabbing an interception. The defense held Beef running back and league leading rusher RJ Rollins to only 14 yards on 9 rushing attempts.
Tarron Acuff led the way for the BlueCats defense, leading all players with 8 tackles in the game, and two pass break ups. AJ Bryant recorded 6.5 tackles and 2 pass break ups. Demoine Adams made 6 tackles, including 3 tackles for a loss and one sack, and along with Johnny Brown, Joel Stubblefield, and Seth Ream, put constant pressure on the Beef backfield all night. Jerrell Hardy added 5 tackles and Vernon Turner had 4.5 tackles including 1 tackle for a loss.
The BlueCats defense has come to life in the past several weeks, surrendering under 20 points per game. As a defensive unit, the BlueCats defense hasn't given up more than 30 points since June 10th against the Fort Wayne Freedom.
Since June 10th:
6/17 vs. Peoria: Final Score - W 70-31: Defense allowed 24 (7 points on fumble return for TD)
6/24 vs. Omaha: Final Score - W 28-17: Defense allowed 17
7/1 at Ohio Valley: Final Score - W 28-26: Defense allowed 19 (7 points on interception return for TD)
7/8 at Sioux Falls: Final Score - L 33-26: Defense allowed 26 (7 points on interception return for TD)
7/15 at Ohio: Final Score - W 37-15: Defense allowed 13 (2 points on a safety)
The BlueCats defense has allowed a league best average of 19.8 points per game since June 17th. The rest of the league is averaging 34.3 defensive points allowed over the same time period and the other 5 playoff teams are giving up an average of 24.3 points per game since June 17th.
The win sets up a rematch with the Sioux Falls Storm in the UIF semi-final round. The BlueCats faced the Storm two weeks ago in Sioux Falls and lost by a touchdown in one of the closest games either team has been in this season.
In the other first round game #3 Rock River defeated #6 Sioux City 37-33. Rock River will travel to face #2 Lexington this Saturday in the other semi-final.
#5 Evansville will the #1 seed undefeated and defending national champion Sioux Falls Storm this Sunday afternoon in Sioux Falls. The Storm lead the league in scoring defense, turnover margin, sacks, and rushing defense. They rank second in the league in scoring offense, pass defense, and total defense. Be sure to tune in to ESPN Radio 94.9 this Sunday afternoon to catch all of the fabulous indoor football action as your Evansville BlueCats take on the Sioux Falls Storm. The winner will advance to United Bowl II. Kickoff is set for 3:05pm. For the complete Evansville BlueCats 2006 schedule, please visit the website at www.evansvillebluecats.com.
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United Indoor Football Association Stories from July 17, 2006
- Raptors heading to Lexington - Rock River Raptors
- BlueCats Advance After Playoff Win - Evansville BlueCats
- UIF Round One Playoff Recap - UIF
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