Danger Thaw Blizzard, 48-37
March 13, 2016 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Nebraska Danger News Release
The Nebraska Danger thawed the Green Bay Blizzard with a 48-37 victory Saturday night at the Heartland Events Center.
The game started off with a bang as the Danger marched down the field for a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, highlighted by runs from Jameel Sewell and Lyle McCombs, totaling 30 yards. The Blizzard answered back quickly by scoring their own touchdown, but kicker Zeke Arevalo missed the point after attempt, leaving the score as a 7-6 Danger lead. The first quarter ended after the Danger punched in another touchdown on their next drive courtesy of a one-yard run by Lyle McCombs, with a lead of 14-6.
The 2nd quarter opened with a quick Green Bay touchdown, bringing the score to 14-13. After a stalled drive by Nebraska, the Blizzard regained possession and after a failed 3rd down from the Danger 11-yard line, the Blizzard had their field goal attempt blocked. On the ensuing drive, Sewell hit McCombs for a 33-yard reception to the Green Bay one-yard line. Sewell capped the drive by diving one yard on a quarterback sneak for a touchdown. The half ended with the Danger leading 21-13.
"We had a pretty decent first half, we played consistent on both sides of the ball and that gave us a good lead. Green Bay is a better team than their record lets on, so we knew they weren't out yet and we needed to maintain our focus for another two quarters," Head Coach Mike Davis said.
The Blizzard started the second half on their own 20-yard line, but failed to gain a first down and handed the ball back to the Danger. After a lengthy drive for Nebraska, Sewell ran in yet another one-yard touchdown run, extending the Danger lead to 28-13. On the following drive, Danger defensive lineman Chris Martin lowered the boom on Green Bay quarterback Matt Behrndt with a sack at the 10-yard line. The Blizzard drive ended with an attempted field goal that was short and returned by Marquel Wade to midfield, where the Danger took over. On the next play, Sewell connected with Wade for a 23-yard pass to the one-yard line. McCombs put the ball in the end zone on a one-yard run making the score 35-13 with 2:53 left in the 3rd quarter. Green Bay showed some life for the first time in the second half as they returned the kickoff for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 16 with a score of 35-19. McCombs then returned the Blizzard kick 46 yards to the Green Bay four-yard line. Sewell then scrambled and backed into the end zone for the touchdown. Tensions flared as a late hit by the Blizzard started a scuffle that resulted in multiple penalties and five ejections, three players for the Danger and two players for Green Bay. Green Bay got the ball back and ended the quarter with a touchdown, keeping the game within an arm's reach, but the Danger still led 42-25.
A flurry of scoring got the fourth quarter going as the Danger opened with passes to Dominic Rufran scoring a touchdown. The Blizzard made some advances with scores of their own off of a three-yard run and a 20-yard touchdown pass, making the score 48-37 with the Danger still leading. After another stalled Nebraska drive, the Blizzard had an opportunity to get within four points, but a fumble in the end zone recovered by the Danger effectively ended the game, as Nebraska ran out the clock sealing the victory 48-37.
"I'm proud of our team. We faced some adversity in the second half as they were able cut pretty deep into our lead, but the guys stepped up and did what they needed to do to get the win. Now we just need to refocus because we get to play these guys again next week," Davis said.
The Danger, now 3-0, face the Blizzard again Friday March 18th in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Indoor Football League Stories from March 13, 2016
- Danger Thaw Blizzard, 48-37 - Nebraska Danger
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