Early mistakes cost Bluecats
Published on June 14, 2004 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Evansville BlueCats News Release
Three early turnovers proved to be costly as the Evansville Bluecats took a tough loss against the Tupelo Fireants Saturday at Roberts Stadium by a final score of 53-45. The rust was showing on a pair of quarterbacks trying as the Bluecats got off to a rocky start in the 1st quarter of the game with 3 turnovers in their first 4 possessions. Seeing his first action of the season, quarterback Brian Villanueva's fumble on the 2nd play of the game led to an early touchdown for the Fireants and replacement Derek Brown threw 2 interceptions in the red zone in the 1st quarter to end drives for the Bluecats.
With 3:19 left in the 2nd quarter, the Bluecats appeared to have regained momentum as they pulled to within 4 on a sustained drive that took 8:32 off the game clock and ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Doss from Brown. However, the Fireants then scored 15 unanswered points to take a 19-point lead that would prove to be insurmountable. The Bluecats kept it close by scoring on every 2nd half possession, but a roughing the passer penalty on the Bluecats' defense negated a 3rd down stop that would have given them the ball with 1:33 in the game, down by a touchdown.
Brown, the quarterback for the Tennessee Thundercats during their 2001 IPFL Championship season, hadn't suited up in a few years but was called on to replace the injured Ramon Robinson. He arrived late Friday night and was unable to practice with the team. Once Brown got untracked, he was very effective in his play. The California native completed 24 of 37 passes for 212 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also added 19 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. Doss and Byron Curtis both caught more passes than the entire Tupelo team as Doss finished with 10 catches for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns, with Curtis adding 9 catches for 64 yards and 2 touchdowns. Evansville's leading rusher, Michael Cosey was limited to 24 yards rushing on only 9 carries. On the defensive side of the ball, Isaiah Grier led the team with 7.5 tackles while Scotty Stewart added an interception to lead the team with 3 on the season.
The Bluecats will host the Lexington Horsemen on Saturday, June 19th for their final home game of the season. Ticket specials for the game include 103GBF's Free Father's Day (all fathers who bring their children will get FREE admission to the game), Military ID discounts (1/2 off with military ID) and another Carload discount night (6 tickets for $30). For information on these and other promotions, please contact the Bluecats office at 812-491-9401.
National Indoor Football League Stories from June 14, 2004
- Early mistakes cost Bluecats - Evansville BlueCats
- FireAnts Win Over BlueCats, 53-45 - Tupelo FireAnts
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