Defense the rage for Dayton win; Warbirds take it to the woodshed

Published on June 25, 2005 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Dayton Bulldogs News Release


DAYTON, Ohio - Success can be a brazen commodity. Building accomplishments can be ego bent, but with Matt King it is all about desire and defense.

The Dayton Warbirds' head coach, who is younger than a few of his players, has a first-year perception of indoor football that many long-time veterans are amazed with.

Saturday, in the Warbirds' 67-46, drubbing of the best team in the Atlantic Conference, the River City Rage, another set of young men, who really epitomized that ‘brazen commodity,' was something the young coach had looked for all year.

NEWCOMERS BRING NEEDED DEPTH

Bringing in the likes of Milt Bowen, Yusef Kelly, and defensive lineman Robert Akindele was one part genius, the second part was changing Sam Crenshaw's position, keeping Keith Brooks at fullback and allowing a healthy, rejuvenated Ryan Terry terrorize the RC's on the front lines.

Bowen had two interceptions, Kelly was moved from running back to linebacker and responded with 7.5 tackles a fumble recovery and a sack and Akindele had a pair of missions.

Akindele ironically played for the Rage, known last season as the St. Charles (Mo.) Show Me Believers. The former Northern Illinois player made appearances in the last five games, but was left off the playoff roster and was let go. "He had a lot to play for and did everything we asked," said King of his new- found lineman who had a pass break up, half a tackle for loss and 3 quarterback hurries. "I gave him the defensive game ball because he made a lot of things happen that don't show up in the stats. He had a great game."

BOWEN, KELLY, AKINDELE KEY

King gave credit to Bowen whom he said actually had a 3rd interception but dropped the ball. "He can run with the best of them," King said of the former Miami (Ohio) University standout. "He's not only big and fast, he plays under control."

Kelly was another story happening this week. "I knew when I saw him that he was built to play the linebacker position," King said of the former Clemson running back. "He's extremely muscular, had the same quickness (4.4.40) like Joe Cooper (former Ohio State linebacker who went down to a season-ending Achilles tear). I thought linebacker would be the perfect spot and we couldn't find a guy to replace Joe."

The 6-foot, 240-pound Kelly had 7.5 tackles, one fumble recovery, one sack for minus 4 yards, and three quarterback hurries in his NIFL debut. "He said he really liked the position and had fun flying around a bit," King added. "I think he was comfortable out there with Kevin Johnson (he knew him at Clemson) next to him." OTHER ON DEFENSE CONTRIBUTE

Others on the Dayton defense having an exceptional game were Arden Banks, league leader in passes defended with 22 going into the game, added another pass break up as well as 7.5 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Defensive linemen Ryan Terry and Brandon Tisdale each had four quarterback hurries and Jason Jones, out of the University of Idaho, had three pressures on the Rage quarterbacks.

Can't forget BJ Paulus' interception adding to the woodshed whooping.

Sam Crenshaw, who played defensive back all season, was shifted to wide receiver and had five catches for 83 yards and one touchdown. "I gave Sam the offensive ball of the game because he really played like a tight end more than a wide out," said King. "He blocked so well, made big catches when we needed them and on that 40 yard catch and run, he jumped over the defensive guys back. It was a spectacular play."

So much for the woodshed whooping. Maybe next time it will behind the barn.

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National Indoor Football League Stories from June 25, 2005


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