Brown-powered Believers Notch First Win of 2004
March 29, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
RiverCity Rage News Release
"What can Brown do for you?"
That is the catch phrase used by United Parcel Service in much of their recent advertising campaigns. But, if you ask Show Me Believers Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt, he would probably answer that Brown can do it all. Ricky Brown, that is.
Former University of Texas star, Ricky Brown led the Show Me Believers to their first win of the 2004 season behind his 206 all purpose yards performance while also scoring 5 touchdowns in the process.
The Believers rolled to an impressive 71-29 victory over the Atlantic City Cardsharks in a game played at the Family Arena in St. Charles, yesterday.
Brown saw the ball often, carrying it 17 times for 141 rushing yards, averaging 8.3 yards per carry. He added two receptions for 28 yards and had 2 kickoff returns for 37 yards to give him the 206 all purpose yards. He scored on runs of 12, 7, 21, 9 and 10 yards while leading his team to victory.
"Normally in indoor football, if a back can get over 50 yards in a game, it is considered an outstanding day, but to get 141 yards rushing and average more than 8 yards per carry, borders on the unbelievable." Stated Wyatt.
Much of the success the Believers found in the ground game must be laid at the feet of their offensive linemen.. Gabe Dunkmann, Chase Denton, Ryan Benham and Jay Carmack gave Ricky Brown the opportunity to turn the corner and there was not much stopping him when he got his shoulders turned up field.
"It was fun. The O line did a great job, as did the receivers blocking down field." Stated Brown.
Brown labored for most of his collegiate career in the shadows of Texas Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, but he doesn't regret it one bit.
"Our coaches made us all feel like we had a hand in Ricky's Heisman trophy. My role was to be the lead blocker, so I had to take my satisfaction that way. But, I also like carrying the ball too." Stated the former Longhorn team captain.
The Believer defense also has to get credit for notching the first win of the 2004 season. They bent, at times, but proved to be hard to break, continually giving the Believer offense opportunities to put up points.
Rob Findley led the way for the Believers stopping unit with 8 tackles including 6 solo tackles and 2 assists and had 1 tackle for a 2 yard loss. Findley also recovered a fumble that set up the Believers second touchdown. Additionally, he picked off a Cardshark pass and returned it 10 yards for a Believer score in the 3rd quarter.
"The entire defense played well. They helped set the tempo for the game and the offense rolled up the yardage" added Wyatt.
The Believers out-gained the Cardsharks 315 yards to 248. They also held an edge in first downs by a 25-13 margin and scored 7 out of 8 times in the red zone.
The win moves the Believers to 1-2 on the 2004 season and drops the Cardsharks to 0-1. The Believers travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to take on the Myrtle Beach Stingrays on Tuesday, April 6.
National Indoor Football League Stories from March 29, 2004
- FireAnts to Play Home Game This Saturday - Tupelo FireAnts
- NIFL Revokes TIPS Franchises, Moves Forward With Teams - NIFL
- Brown-powered Believers Notch First Win of 2004 - RiverCity Rage
- TIPS Announces RiverHawks will not play in 2004 season - Tennessee/Greenville RiverHawks
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