Evansville at Drillers
July 2, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Beaumont Drillers News Release
BEAUMONT, TX -- The Beaumont Drillers (7-6) wrap-up their regular season schedule with a home date with the Evansville BlueCats (4-9) on Saturday with a kickoff time set for 7:35 p.m. inside the "OIL PALACE", a.k.a. Beaumont Civic Center.
Tickets are available at the Civic Center Box Office and at all Ticketmaster locations.
**Playoffs**
The Drillers can enter the playoffs as the number 6 seed in the Atlantic Conference with a win over Evansville combined with Carolina beating Atlantic City, in Atlantic City on Saturday night.
**LAST TIME THEY MET**
March 29, 2003, Evansville, Indiana
Drillers 49, Evansville 29
Troy Sumrall rushed for 176 yards scoring 4 times and receiver Pat Palmer caught 7 passes for 118 yards and 3 scores to lead the Drillers.
**BlueCat report**
- Avg. 42.4 points per game while giving up 54.
- 2-4 on the road, averaging 43.8 against 63.
- Defeated playoff bound Houma 51-49 on the road as well as Show Me, 88-84.
- Have lost 5 in a row, 6 of their last 7.
- Have used 5 different starting quarterbacks, and Brian Villaneuva will get
the start. He is 11 of 22 for 139 yards with 2 TDs and 5 INTs for a rating
of 95.83.
- Total offense ranks 10th, 239.1 ypg.
- 8th in rushing offense per game with 76.8 ypg.
- Running back Michael Cosey is 9th in the NIFL in scoring, 26 TDs.
- Cosey is 4th with 57 rushing ypg.
- WR John Gordon has 47 catches for 677 yards with 14 TDs while Byron Curtis
adds 53 for 636 and 10 scores.
- Defense ranks 21st, allowing 257 ypg.
- Ranks 20th in turnovers, with -11.
- Rushing defense ranks last, allowing 96.2 ypg.
- Isaiah Grier leads the team in tackles with 77.0, ranks 12th.
**Drillers, inside the numbers**
- Avg. 53 while allowing 44.2 points.
- 4-2 inside the Civic Center this season, avg. 58.1 giving up 35.1 at home.
- Have lost two in a row.
- 5th in total offense gaining 252.1 ypg, 168.7 passing yards (7th), and
83.4 rushing yards per (5th).
- 8th in red-zone scoring, 73 for 94 at 77.7%.
- QB Marc Saldana ranks 10th in passing efficiency, 101.3, throwing for
1,723 yards with 38 TDs and 11 INTs going 151 for 267 (56.6%) in 12 games.
- WR Chad Luttrull ranks 9th with 5.08 receptions per game, and 8th with
58.5 receiving yards per contest.
- DJ Clay leads the team with 18.8 yards per kick return.
- Defense ranks 11th, allowing 211.0 yards per game, 9th in passing yards
allowed with 140.5, and 15th in rushing yards allowed with 70.5.
- Red-zone defense is 16th, allowing teams to score 74% of the time (55 for
77).
- Troy Esprit is tied for 2nd with 8 INTs, and Randy Chappell has 6, good
enough for 4th.
- Nick Mitchell and Eric Winchester are tied for 17th with 74 total tackles
each, while Mitchell is 4th with tackles for a loss with 15.5.
**Notes**
Dorian Williams will start at nose-guard for T.J. Light, who is unavailable for the game (coach's decision). Roy Locks and Nick Mitchell will anchor the defensive end positions.
**Coach's Corner**
Head coach Bryan Blake says...
- "We've put our self in this hole. It doesn't feel good to have our playoff
fate in another team's hands."
- "Myself, along with the players have a lot of pressure put on us for this
game. We have to have this win."
- "Turnovers once again will be the key. Our losses have resulted in us
turning over the ball numerous times."
- "We are going to establish the run early. Evansville struggles with
stopping the run, and we want to exploit that which opens up the pass."
**Game Day Promotions**
- Fans of all ages are encouraged to arrive at the Civic Center early for
the tailgate party hosted by Gusher and the gang. Tailgating begins at 1
p.m. in the Civic Center parking lot with food and more.
- Ticket buyers can enjoy a free concert featuring "9 Station Drive" at 5
p.m. inside the Civic Center.
- The 2003 NIFL Dance Team of the Year, the Evansville Lady BlueCats, will
perform at halftime.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from July 2, 2004
- Evansville at Drillers - Beaumont Drillers
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