Depleted Warriors Have No Answer For Bandits
April 25, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Utah Warriors News Release
Sioux City, IA – The Utah Warriors dropped their second game of the season as they fell to the Sioux City Bandits 50-27 Saturday night. The Bandits (3-2) drew a team record crowd of 5,308 for the game and they all left happy. Utah (4-2) scored first on a 1-yard touchdown run by Omar Bacon with 5:44 left in the first quarter. Sioux City then went on a 17-0 run on their way to a 24-13 halftime lead. Utah got within three points on an Omar Bacon touchdown reception with 4:25 left in the third. That would be as close as they would get as the Warriors were held scoreless in the fourth quarter, eliminating any chance of a comeback.
Utah was missing seven regular starters because of injury and their loss was taken advantage of. Sioux City out gained the Warriors 270-184 in total offense, including a 235-to-115 edge in the passing game. Oscar Davenport led the way for the Bandits with his 21x33 passing performance and six touchdowns. Robert Bailey and Lucas Green each caught six passes. Bailey had 82 yards and two touchdowns and Green added 69 yards and three scores.
Doug Smith struggled on the night, finishing 13x23 for 129 yards and three touchdowns. Smith was sacked three times and lost one fumble. Smith did lead the team with 35 rushing yards. Omar Bacon had four catches for 64 yards and one score. The Bandits held UtahÂ’s leading receiver, Emmett White, to just two catches for eight yards. Both of WhiteÂ’s catches were for touchdowns.
Utah fumbled the ball four times and lost three of those fumbles. Sioux City turned those three fumbles into 13 points, including six on a 21-yard fumble return by Jimmy Brown with 2:16 to play in the first quarter. The Bandits also scored on all four of their trips in the red-zone while they held Utah to just three scores on six trips.
The Bandits average starting field position in the game was its own 11-yard line. They started inside their own 10-yard line five times, and scored a touchdown on all five possessions. In contrast UtahÂ’s averaging starting position was its own 20-yard line. They started in Sioux City territory three times and only scored once.
Utah returns home next Saturday night, May 1, when they host the Wyoming Cavalry at 7:00 pm in the E-Center. They will be hosting a tailgate party prior to the game in the parking lot, beginning at 4:00 pm. For more information call 801-973-7311 or visit www.utahwarriors.com.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from April 25, 2004
- Depleted Warriors Have No Answer For Bandits - Utah Warriors
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