BlueCats Lose After Wild Finish
June 5, 2006 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Evansville BlueCats News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN: After 3 quarters of build up, the 4th quarter of Saturday's game between Evansville and Bloomington was packed with excitement. The lead changed hands between both teams and the score was even tied down the stretch of one of the most exciting and unusual finishes to a game this season. The BlueCats trailed 27-13 at half time before scoring 28 points in the 3rd quarter to come back and take a 41-37 lead into the final period. Bloomington started the 4th quarter scoring 10 points to take a 47-41 lead. Evansville answered with a field goal to pull within 3 points with 6:19 to go in the game. The Evansville defense responded when they needed to and scored on back-to-back safeties in the final minutes of the game to give the BlueCats a 48-47 lead. On the kickoff following the second safety, Bloomington scored one point on a rarely seen rouge when the BlueCats failed to advance the ball out of the end zone. The rouge for Bloomington tied the game at 48. On the next possession, Evansville attempted a field goal with 1:04 left which was blocked at the line of scrimmage but continued forward to the Bloomington end zone where it was misplayed by an Extreme player and controversially ruled a touchback. Bloomington got the ball back on their own 5 yard line and after 3 incomplete passes, Bloomington converted on a 40 yard field goal to take the lead with only 4 seconds left. Evansville had just enough time to attempt a field goal to tie the game but missed by inches wide left as time expired. Bloomington defeated Evansville 51-48.
Not to be lost in the drama of the wild finish were several BlueCats players with outstanding efforts on both sides of ball. Defensive end Joel Stubblefield made 7 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss (for 34 yards). He also forced a fumble, broke up a pass, and recorded a safety. Linebacker John Winchester had 8.5 tackles, 2.5 for loss (for 17 yards), and one sack. Winchester also grabbed his second interception of the season, which he ran back for the first touchdown of his BlueCats career. Safety Vernon Turner made 6.5 tackles, 1.5 for loss, and broke up 2 passes. Newcomer Kevin Rees made 4.5 tackles and one tackle for loss in his BlueCats debut. In the game Rees made 4.5 tackles, had one sack, broke up 2 passes, and blocked a kick.
As a group, the BlueCats defense held the Extreme to only 20 yards rushing and an average of less than 2 yards per rushing attempt.
Quarterback Aaron Leak went 11-31 for 129 yards and 4 touchdowns. He did not throw an interception. Leak also rushed for 34 yards and was sacked 3 times. Receivers Tyrone Walker and Levander Segars each had 3 catches in the game, Walker finished with 51 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns and Segars had 28 receiving yards and a touchdown. Wide Receiver Sherman Gant was playing in his first game with the team this season. Gant scored on his only catch of the game on a 25-yard strike from Leak.
After being perfect on his kicks a week ago against Ohio Valley, Ton-Ton Luzayadio was only 3-11 on field goals in the game; one of the missed attempts was blocked. He was perfect 5-5 on his extra point tries. Luzayadio remains the UIF's leading scorer with 116 points this season.
The BlueCats play at home again this coming weekend against the Fort Wayne Freedom. This game is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. Kickoff for this Saturday, June 10th, is set for 7:05pm at Roberts Stadium. For tickets, please contact the Roberts Stadium box office at 812-476-1383 extension 25. 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 June 5, 2006
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