Dayton fails to stop Fayetteville offense
Published on July 11, 2005 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Dayton Bulldogs News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Dayton spotted the Guard 21 1st-quarter points and the Warbirds could not catch up as Fayetteville, the hottest team in the National Indoor Football League, defeated the Ohio-squadron, 78-63, Saturday in an NIFL playoff game before nearly 3,000 at Crown Arena.
It was as if the wind had been taken out from under Dayton (8-7) as the Warbirds concluded their inaugural season, despite outscoring the Guard (8-7), 49-29 in the 2nd and 4th quarters combined.
Dayton turned the ball over six times and Fayetteville made the best of its possessions, scoring 12 times in 16 drives while the âBirds could manage only eight of 15 possession scores.
Quarterback Steve Bellisari led the âBirds on the ground and in the air with 13 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown. Threw the âwild blue' the former Ohio State standout was 14 of 18 for 206 yards and four touchdowns. He had two of his aerials picked off.
Running back Keith Brooks had 13 totes for 40 yards and had touchdown runs of 7, 1 and 2 yards on the day.
Maurice Lee, the Warbirds top receiver had 92 yards on six catches and three touchdowns of 35, 5 and 25 yards. Jonathan Cain had a season-best 72 yards on five catches and a touchdown 7 yards in the third quarter.
Joe Davis and Brian Baker split the signal calling duties for the Guard and Baker, out of Austin Peay, was six of nine for 115 yards and four touchdowns, all to Tuati Wooden for 13, 21, 29 and 17 yards. Wooden, out of San Jose State, collected 104 yards on seven receptions.
Dayton was not able to stop former Arena Football League player Wilmont Perry who with the Columbus Destroyers this past season played in six games. Against the Warbirds, he had 85 yards on 15 carries and three scores. His best all season was against Kissimmee when he ran 109 yards on 11 runs and scored twice.
Perry is no small player at 6-foot-2, 250-pounds, land also had two receptions for eight yards. His touchdown totes were of 10, 2 and 17 yards.
National Indoor Football League Stories from July 11, 2005
- Fayetteville Ends 'Birds Year - Dayton Bulldogs
- Renegades on the road for playoff game two - Rome Renegades
- Dayton fails to stop Fayetteville offense - Dayton Bulldogs
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