Bluecats win Week One thriller 53-51
March 22, 2005 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Evansville BlueCats News Release
The Evansville Bluecats won in exciting fashion Saturday night in Roberts Stadium over the Tennessee Valley Raptors in the UIF's inaugural game.
The Bluecats were led by running back Dale Jennings who posted a league high 122 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
After the game, Bluecats Head Coach Ollie Guidry said, "I thought the guys really played hard tonight and never quit. We played well through some adversity and fought back after getting in a hole."
The Bluecats were in a hole right from the start of the game when Raptors defensive back Henry Freeman intercepted a pass from Bluecats quarterback Ramon Robinson and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown in the game's first minute. After the extra point and ensuing kickoff, Robinson responded on the next play finding Gerald Clark for a 36-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7. Following the touchdown, the Bluecats found themselves in a hole again as Chesaur Rhodes returned the kickoff 38 yards to put Tennessee Valley back on top 14-7.
It was a close game throughout. Neither team was able to pull away as the Tennessee Valley Raptors never led by more than 8 and the Evansville Bluecats never led by more than 6, which setup an exciting flurry of action in the games final minutes.
The Bluecats pulled back to within one, 41-40, early in the fourth quarter on Dale Jennings fourth touchdown run of the night.
Tennessee Valley converted a field goal attempt on the next possession to go up by four, 44-40.
On the Bluecats next possession, the team turned the ball over on downs near midfield as Ramon Robinson's pass fell incomplete. However, the Raptors fumbled on the very next play and the Bluecats were able to capitalize when Ramon Robinson found receiver Byron Curtis for a 16-yard touchdown pass a few plays later. Following the successful extra point try, the Bluecats led 47-44 with only 32 seconds left.
An unsportsman-like conduct penalty after the Bluecats touchdown gave the Raptors excellent field position after the kickoff. The Raptors were able to take the lead again 12 seconds later to go up 51-47.
Down by 4 with 21 seconds left, Robinson led the Bluecats down the field to the Raptors 11 yard line. After an incomplete pass the clock was stopped with 1.8 seconds left. Robinson then connected with Gerald Clark on the right side for the game-winning touchdown as time expired.
The win makes the Bluecats 1-0 on the season.
Dale Jennings ran for 122 yards and 4 touchdowns on 29 attempts, including one rush for 30 yards and a score early in the 3rd quarter.
Ramon Robinson passed for 152 yards and 3 touchdowns, completing 15 of 31 attempts and throwing two interceptions.
The Bluecats receivers were led by Byron Curtis and Gerald Clark. Curtis caught 6 passes for 57 and one touchdown and Clark had 5 catches for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the game winner.
Dale Jennings added 2 catches for 23 yards and Sean Bennett had one catch for 4 yards.
The defense was led by Connie Brown who recorded 7 tackles, 5 of them solo. Darrell Jack and Dale Jennings each turned in a safety.
The Evansville Bluecats will enjoy a bye week over Easter weekend and will return to action the following week when they host division rival Lexington.
"Every week and every game we're going to face another new tough opponent in this league." Coach Guidry said. "We're going to put this week behind us and prepare for Lexington. They're well coached and have a talented quarterback. They are one of the best teams in the league."
The Evansville Bluecats will take on the Lexington Horseman on Saturday, April 2nd at Roberts Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:05pm.
Tickets are available at the Roberts Stadium box office.
United Indoor Football Association Stories from March 22, 2005
- Bluecats win Week One thriller 53-51 - Evansville BlueCats
- Raptors regrouping after opening loss at Evansville - Tennessee Valley Raptors
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
