Defense Rises to Ocassion
June 24, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Dayton Bulldogs News Release
DAYTON, Ohio - It didn't take Steve Bellisari long to establish what the Dayton Warbirds were going to do with the Friday night opponent at the Nutter Center.
With a defense bent on making good on some revengeful motivation, Bellisari led the Warbirds to a 34-6 halftime lead and finished with a â whooping' reminiscent of the type behind the woodshed.'
Why shouldn't it have been? Dayton went to St. Charles, Missouri, and after the head coach went into a âRage' over the missing game tape, his registered complaint got Dayton head coach suspended and fined. Lucky him.
This time, Dayton (7-6) let it all hang out. In the first half, interceptions by newcomer Milt Bowen and BJ Paulus were instrumental in maintaining the offensive surge.
Dayton scored twice in the final 1:41 of the second quarter as Bellisari ran the first in at that time to give the Warbirds a 28-6 margin. The former Ohio State quarterback then found Sam Crenshaw for five yards with 19.7 seconds remaining before intermission. The lead was 34-6, as the Rage made up only eight points, outscoring the âBirds, 40-32, in the second half.
Statistically, it was no contest. Individually, Dayton powered up the offense, scoring the 4th most points all season.
There is no questions Bellisari should be the game's MVP. He scored 3 rushing touchdowns on 15 carries and all the touches were from one yard out. He was responsible for 4 passing scores, 3 of those to Maurice Lee.
Despite the Rage (10-4) starting backup quarterback Anthony Fisher, he had to be relieved early after two picks on one of three passing. Starter Clay Groefsema was 19 of 38 for 202 yards and six touchdowns. Both signal callers had the rather of linebackers and linemen bearing down on them all night.
Brought in to chore up the running game, Yusef Kelly, out of Clemens, showed so much promise at fullback he was moved there by Coach King. He had 7.5 total tackles, a fumble recovery, a sack for a 4 yard loss, and three quarterback hurries. In fact, the line and linebackers had 17 total âhurries'.
Lineman Robert Akindele, a newcomer out of Northern Illinois, had three QBH's, ½ tackle for a loss of four yards. Veteran linemen Ryan Terry and Brandon Tisdale each had 4 of the quarterback cappers.
Dayton will be awarded a forfeit next week against Rome to give the first-year Warbirds an 8-6 record.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from June 24, 2005
- Defense Rises to Ocassion - Dayton Bulldogs
- Romans do at home what Hawgs want to do - Daytona Beach Hawgs
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