Fever Can't Get Over the Hump
June 5, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release
Kennewick, WA. 06/05/06. The Tri-Cities Fever won nearly every aspect of the game against the Rapid City Flying Aces Sunday evening. Every aspect this is except for in the offensive execution department. "We struggled to execute and get any kind of rhythm and consistency in our offense," said Fever Head Coach Dan Whitsett. "It was a combination of several things, dropped passes, poor passes, timing, or pass rush. We just could not get comfortable out there offensively and put it together. I am going to see what we can do in practice this week to help improve that."
Both teams were nearly even in total offensive yards. The Aces had 227, while the Fever finished with 211. Both teams were just 2 of 10 on third down conversions, and the Fever had the edge on fourth down at 5 of 8, compared to the Aces 3 of 8. Red zone scoring chances were 5 of 11 for the Fever, while 3 of 7 for the Aces. The Fever out rushed the Aces 41 yards to 4, and had 14 first downs compared to 12 for the Aces.
The Fever turned the ball over four times, three of them being interceptions. One interception could not be put on quarterback Joe Wiser as the ball deflected off the shoulder of receiver George Carter and into the hands of a Rapid City defender. The other turnover was a Wiser fumble. The Fever recovered two Rapid City fumbles.
Wiser completed 21 of 44 passes and four touchdowns. He did not get sacked all night, although he did see some on again off again pressure. George Carter paced the receiving core with 94 yards on nine catches and a touchdown. Paris Moore was held to just 15 yards on eight carries and did not get into the end zone.
Aces quarterback Albert Higgs went 21-37 with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Scat back James Owens led the team with 27 yards rushing and a touchdown, while catching five passes for 49 yards.
The Aces move to 10-1 on the season while the fever drop to 7-4. The Fever hit the road this week to face the Beaumont Drillers in Texas. Beaumont defeated Wyoming 62-59 this week to improve to 6-5 on the season and stay in second place in the Pacific Conference South Division. Rapid City has a bye week to get ready for their rematch with the Billings Outlaws at home on June 17th.
Other Team Notes:
Muhammad Shamsid-Deen was released by the Fever do to "Conduct Detrimental to the Team." He was not in uniform Sunday night for the Fever, and has left the Tri-Cities.
Statement from Coach Dan Whitsett: "Muhammad Shamsid-Deen is no longer associated with this organization as a player or in any other aspect. We have a "Code of Conduct" in place and he violated this code in a flagrant manner. Our expectations and standards are high, and we expect our players to be loyal to the organization that gives them so many opportunities to enhance themselves as a professional football player. Muhammad Shamsid-Deen displayed actions that are unacceptable to me, this ownership group and our football team."
National Indoor Football League Stories from June 5, 2006
- Florida Devours Greensboro 49-23 - Florida Frenzy
- Tailgate with the Copperheads - Texas Copperheads
- Fever Can't Get Over the Hump - Tri-Cities Fever
- Rage QB grabs award - RiverCity Rage
- Saturday's game canceled - Lakeland ThunderBolts
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