BlueCats Fly Past the Freedom
May 22, 2006 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Evansville BlueCats News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN: The Evansville BlueCats defeated the Fort Wayne Freedom 33-31 in a suspenseful and sensational football game Saturday night in Fort Wayne. Despite being in the lead for the first 59 and a half minutes of the contest, Evansville found itself trailing with just 26 seconds to go at the end of the 4th quarter. Fort Wayne finally broke through the BlueCats defense for a touchdown and hit the extra point to give the Freedom a 31-30 lead with less than a minute to go. Evansville got the football back and 3 plays later, kicker Ton-Ton Luzayadio silenced the Fort Wayne crowd as his clutch, game-winning 46-yard field goal soared majestically through the uprights as time expired. The thrilling victory moves the BlueCats (3-5) into second place in the UIF East Division as the team finishes this 3-game road trip winning 2 of 3. Fort Wayne falls to (3-6).
The BlueCats jumped out to an early 13-0 lead and held the lead for all but 26 seconds of the game. Evansville led the game 23-10 at the halftime before the Freedom clawed back during the second half leading up to the exciting final minute.
Evansville scored all four of their touchdowns in the game on the ground as running back Dale Jennings and quarterback Aaron Leak rushed for two scores each. Jennings rushed for 64 yards on 13 carries to get his 2 touchdowns and Leak ran the ball 8 times for 40 yards. The combined 112 yards rushing and 4 rushing touchdowns are both a new team high for this season.
Leak completed 10 of his 21 passing attempts for 79 yards. He was intercepted 3 times. Jasonus Tillery was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 43 yards in his BlueCats debut. Levander Segars added 2 catches for 17 yards. Receiver Tyrone Walker, running back Dale Jennings, and offensive lineman Brad Kunz added one reception each.
The BlueCats offense accumulated 179 yards of total offense in the game. The BlueCats were 5-5 in red zone opportunities.
The BlueCats defense had several standout performances against the Freedom. Defensive backs Vernon Turner and Damien Jones led all players with 7.5 tackles and a pass break up each. Turner also had 2 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Defensive end Joel Stubblefield had 6.5 tackles in the game, including 3 tackles for loss, and 3 quarterback hurries. Tarron Acuff had 5.5 tackles and broke up a pass. Linebacker John Winchester had 4.5 tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a pass break up, and a hurry. Jerrell Hardy added 4 tackles.
The win is Evansville's second win in a row over the Fort Wayne Freedom and first ever win at the War Memorial Coliseum. The BlueCats have won 2 of their last 3 games and now are set to return home for 5 consecutive home games starting this week when they host the Ohio Valley Greyhounds this Saturday, May 27th, at Roberts Stadium. All Military personnel in uniform will be admitted free. This game is sponsored by Expressway Dodge. The BlueCats defeated the Greyhounds 36-34 back on April 2nd in Wheeling, West Virginia. For tickets, please contact the Roberts Stadium box office. 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 May 22, 2006
- UIF Transactions - UIF
- Freedom Announce Sponsorship Extension - Fort Wayne Freedom
- BlueCats Fly Past the Freedom - Evansville BlueCats
- UIF Week Nine Re-cap - UIF
- Beef sign record setting QB Andy Majors - Omaha Beef
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