Erie Scores Early and Often in 68-58 Victory over NJ

Published on May 31, 2010 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Explosion News Release


(Morristown, NJ) - The Erie Storm of the American Indoor Football Association set several franchise records for offense in route to an important 68-58 road victory over the New Jersey Revolution. Both offenses were quite productive, combining for 49 pass completions, 643 yards of offense and 19 touchdowns, 16 passing. However, the Erie offense scored first and had an answer for every New Jersey score, eventually building up a 23-point third-quarter lead, and the Storm was never seriously threatened.

With the victory, Erie improved its season record to 7-4 to maintain its hold on third place in the AIFA East Division, a half-game behind second-place Harrisburg, and one game ahead of fourth-place Reading. The first three teams out of the division are eligible for the playoffs, making each game down the stretch critical for the Storm's championship aspirations.

Erie quarterback Rod Rutherford enjoyed the best statistical game in his tenure with the franchise, completing 28 of 42 passes for 308 yards and nine touchdowns with no interceptions, with the 28 completions and nine touchdowns setting franchise records for a single game. In total, the Storm offense set team records for pass completions (29), pass attempts (48), passing yards (318), touchdown passes (9), and first downs (26) in a game. Three Erie receivers got into the scoring column and recorded impressive statistics, including Tim Smith (12 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns), Eugene Baker (10 catches for 102 yards and four touchdowns), and Trumaine Riley (7 receptions for 95 yards and three scores). The Storm offensive line of Joe Blanks, Mike Fazio, and Ron Idoko, along with fullback Bob Hammer, did not allow a single sack of Erie quarterbacks for the second consecutive game, and Hammer scored his first touchdown of the season on a one-yard run in the second quarter. New Jersey quarterback Bill Winters had an impressive game in defeat, as he was responsible for 318 yards of offense and nine touchdowns, seven passing and two running, including a 38-yard rushing touchdown in the last minute of the game.

The Erie Storm will start the important home stretch of the season with a visit to Baltimore next Saturday night to play the undefeated 10-0 Baltimore Mariners in the first of a home-and-home series over the next two weeks. The two teams will play at the Tullio Arena on Sunday afternoon, June 13, in Erie's home finale of the regular season with kickoff scheduled for 2:00 PM. Tickets for the Storm's last home game are available now at the Tullio Arena box office and through all Ticketmaster outlets.

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American Indoor Football Association Stories from May 31, 2010


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