Defenders Top Koyotes 48-20
May 13, 2013 - Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Oklahoma Defenders News Release
TULSA, OK-- After a demoralizing 73-7 loss on the road to the Wichita Wild last week the Oklahoma Defenders returned home to face the Kansas Koyotes with the hopes that a big win in front of the home crowd would bring back their swagger in a big way.
It was not going to be an easy task. With a fairly short bench and starting quarterback David Bowie sidelined with a hamstring injury, the hill the Defenders would have to climb would be very steep indeed. In response, head coach Derek Rasmussen brought in Carlos Cavanaugh to stand in for Bowie and it paid off in a big way.
While Bowie and the other men who stood under center for the Oklahoma Defenders did their job well Cavanaugh showed the innate ability to find his receivers downfield. Cavanaugh went 5-of-12 passing for 125 yard and three touchdowns on the night, one of which was a 34 yard strike to Jason Stephenson on Oklahoma's first possession that resulted in the Defender's first touchdown of the night.
Cavanaugh would find Stephenson, Cameron Clemons and Packy Jones in the end zone during the game for three touchdowns through the air. Stephenson also contributed a rushing touchdown and Kingjack Washington scored two on the ground. While the Defenders offensive unit provided the scoring punch for Defenders defensive unit provided two moments that resulted in turnovers resulting in points.
The first was on a Koyotes passing play in the 3rd quarter when Kansas quarterback Justin Craig took the snap, dropped back and fired intending to hit one of his receivers running a crossing route. Instead of hitting that receiver, Oklahoma defensive back Marcus Pugh picked it off, and on the ensuing possession Cavanaugh found Jones in the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown strike.
The second was when Ki'Ounta Cathey stripped the ball from Craig ran 25 yards to the house for the final touchdown of the game.
The Defenders held the Koyotes scoreless in the second half altogether and it was arguably the best effort the Defenders showed all season.
It would also be remiss not to mention a stunning 40-yard kick from Brandon Noahr that closed out the first half for the Defenders.
After the game, Defenders head coach Derek Rasmussen had high praise for his team and its new direction.
"It was a great win for us." Rasmussen said, "We've been right there for the most part all season, and this week we finally made the plays in all three phases to make sure we came away with a win. The defense played outstanding and only allowed 20 points, and the offense was efficient, and minimized turnovers early in the game. As a whole, there are still some things we need to get corrected, but I like the direction we are now headed as a team."
The Defenders improve to 3-6 on the season with three games remaining. The Defenders will be back in the Tulsa Convention Center next weekend as the Kansas City Renegades come to town for a 7:05pm contest. The Defenders will be honoring the military that night, wearing special jerseys courtesy of the National Guard and all active military members will receive 40% off admission to the game.
As always the game will be carried live on the Oklahoma Defenders Media Center with Blake Gazaway and Shan Jordan providing the exciting play-by-play action.
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Champions Professional Indoor Football League Stories from May 13, 2013
- Defenders Top Koyotes 48-20 - Oklahoma Defenders
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