Danger Take on High Flying Wichita Falls Nighthawks Friday Night
March 23, 2016 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Nebraska Danger News Release
GRAND ISLAND, NE - Coming off of an overtime loss to the Blizzard (1-4), the Danger (3-1) will look to regroup to take on the high powered Wichita Falls Nighthawks (2-1) on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7 PM at the Heartland Events Center.
With a number of offensive players missing the trip to Green Bay for various reasons, the Danger knew they would need a fast start to jump ahead of the Blizzard early on. Unfortunately, that didn't happen as the Blizzard started the game with a kickoff return for a touchdown and followed up with sack resulting in a safety on the ensuing Danger possession. The first quarter finished with the Danger trailing 6-21.
Ben Anderson, filling in for Jameel Sewell at quarterback, was able to settle into a rhythm in the second quarter and traded scores to prevent the Blizzard's lead from growing any larger. After making some key halftime adjustments, Anderson slowly helped the Danger mount a comeback to regain the lead 50-48 with 13:45 to go in the game.
A Green Bay fumble was recovered by Nebraska with 5:29 to play and the Danger had a chance to put the game away while melting some time off the clock, but a contested pass on 3rd & goal forced Cody Thornton to kick a field goal to extend the Danger lead to 60-54 with only 42 seconds remaining. The Blizzard weren't finished, as a 24 yard pass set up a final touchdown score with only 38 seconds on the clock. Danger defensive lineman Ino Vitale reached up to block the point-after attempt to keep the score tied at 60.
The Danger were unable to score a touchdown in overtime and a field goal attempt was unsuccessful. The Blizzard kept it on the ground in overtime and scored on their third straight rushing attempt in the extra period.
"We knew all week that we were going to be short-handed tonight and we just weren't able to overcome that obstacle," Danger head coach Mike Davis said. "Once Anderson got settled in, he was really able to execute, but there was already too much of a hole to overcome by the time that happened."
Anderson completed 13 passes on 35 attempts for 115 yards and five touchdowns. Anderson also added 53 rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns. The Danger receiving corps was led by Regginald Lewis Jr. with 6 catches for 46 yards and 3 touchdowns. Andre London and Dominic Rufran also pulled in catches for touchdowns.
"We should have pretty much our full line-up back next week, so we just need everyone to keep working and to be ready if someone goes down," Davis said. "Wichita Falls will really test our defense next week and we need to be ready."
Wichita Falls travels to Grand Island leading the IFL in total yards per game, points per game, and passing yards per game. The Nighthawks are coming off a bye week after last topping the Iowa Barnstormers at home 74-47.
Kickoff is set for 7 pm on Friday night at the Heartland Events Center. Doors open at 6:00 with pre-game activities beginning at 6:30.
Tickets for Friday night are available at area Pump & Pantry stores, the Heartland Events Center Box Office, or via Ticketmaster. The game will be broadcast live on 2DayFM 103.1, or streamed live at www.2dayfm1031.com with live video available at IFLLive.TV.
Following the game, an autograph party with Players and Coaches will take place on the Danger turf.
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