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Former PITT Teammates Ron Idoko & Phil Tillman Return to Erie

January 5, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Erie Explosion News Release


(Erie, PA)- The Erie Explosion have announced the re-signing of former University of Pittsburgh teammates Ron Idoko and Phil Tillman for the 2011 SIFL Season. Tillman and Idoko will be entering their 5th season together with Explosion Head Coach Shawn Liotta. Both athletes have played for professional indoor franchises in Pittsburgh, Erie, and Wheeling, WV.

Tillman (6'2"-330) has developed a reputation as one of the top nose-guards in professional indoor football, evidenced by his numerous All-League awards over his career. A devastating force in the middle of the defensive line, Tillman has disrupted opposing offenses over the last four seasons. Tillman played at the University of Pittsburgh from 2004-2005 after transferring from the Valley Forge Military Academy where he was a rare two-way starter, on both the offensive and defensive lines. In 2005 as a starter at defensive tackle, Tillman contributed 41 total tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, and 2 sacks, including one in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl against Utah. During his two years at Valley Forge, Tillman compiled 72 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. In 2003, he was the Seaboard Conference Co-Player of the Year and a first-team All-Seaboard Conference selection at both offensive and defensive tackle. Tillman was named first-team Baltimore Sun All-Metro during his senior year at Joppatowne High School (Edgewood, MD).

Idoko (6'3"-320) was a major component of the Erie offensive line that gave up only 20 sacks in 525 pass attempts in 2010. In 2007 Idoko joined the Pittsburgh RiverRats and immediately established his presence on the defensive line, helping the expansion franchise to the 2007 AIFA Playoffs. Idoko made the switch to the offensive side of the ball in 2008 with the Erie RiverRats and has developed into a reliable and dominating offensive guard over the past three seasons. After a stellar high school football career at John F. Kennedy HS in the Bronx, NY, he walked on with an academic scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. In his senior year in 2005, he was rewarded for his work on the field with a full athletic scholarship.

"Ron Idoko and Phil Tillman give us two dominating veteran players on both sides of the ball. I have had the pleasure to have worked with both of these athletes for the past four seasons, and they are two of the best in the business. Phil and Ron are vital contributors to the success we have had over the past few seasons, and their experience and leadership will fuel our 2011 Championship run," commented Erie Explosion Head Coach Shawn Liotta.

The Erie Explosion, proud members of the Southern Indoor Football League, will open training camp on March 4th 2011. For more information on the Erie Explosion and the SIFL visit www.southernifl.com

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