Game Preview: Tulsa Oilers vs. Frisco Fighters
April 19, 2024 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
Tulsa, Okla. - Tulsa Oilers Football, a proud member of the IFL and powered by Community Care, host the Frisco Fighters in the second edition of the Red River Rumble.
LAST TIME OUT The Oilers found their first road victory in Sioux Falls last Sunday. The Oilers opened the scoring for the first time this season as new Tulsa kicker Michael Hall punched an 18-yard field goal through the uprights at the 9:29 remaining mark of the first quarter. Sioux Falls responded in just three plays to record the game's first touchdown via a 3-yard run by Xavier Jackson to make it 7-3 Storm with 8:18 left in the first. Tulsa would strike back on the following possession with a 1-yard rushing score by Daniel Smith to give the Oilers a 10-7 advantage with 3:05 remaining in the opening quarter. Tulsa opened the second quarter scoring via a 4-yard catch into the endzone by Jarrod Ware Jr . for his first touchdown as an Oiler with 7:45 left in the half. Back-to-back receiving scores by Alexis Rosario , the first an 11-yard score with 3:11 left in the second and the next, a 5-yard catch and score with 0:31 remaining gave Tulsa a 31-14 lead just before halftime. The Oilers grabbed their first Rouge of the season to make it 32-14 at the end of two. Sioux Falls scored on the opening drive of the second half on a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Xavier Jackson, bringing the deficit for the Storm to 32-20 with 12:31 left in the third quarter. Smith would respond with another touchdown pass to Rosario, this time for 8-yards into the endzone to give the Oilers a 39-20 lead, 10:21 left in the third. Billy Hall completed a pass of 7-yards to Jackson for a score to help Sioux Falls keep pace with 6:20 left in the third, bringing the score to 39-26 Tulsa. Ware Jr. scored his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard rush with 0:46 left in the third to make it 46-26 Oilers. Storm QB, Hall rushed in for a touchdown to open the fourth quarter scoring from two yards out to make it 46-32 Oilers with 14:15 left in the game. Rosario recorded his fourth receiving touchdown of the game on a 10-yard catch to extend Tulsa's lead to 53-32 with 8:40 left in the fourth. Hall added a 40-yard field goal and Sioux Falls added a last-minute score to bring the final to 56-40.
FOCUS AHEAD The Oilers have proven that consistency can be found in their game, now having won two games in a row. The new task at hand is the Frisco Fighters, a team in which the Oilers lost to 31-25 in OT back on March 22 to open the season. Bottling up that frustration from game one and using it as proper emotion of this second and final regular season edition of the Red River Rumble will be a storyline. Jarrod Ware Jr. impressed in his debut last week, finding the endzone twice, utilizing the new backfield threat wisely could be an emphasized tool for Tulsa this time around against the Fighters. The importance of early season games are just as vital as late season matchups. This will be the fourth straight conference game to open the season and Tulsa will not see a team from the west until May 18. Continuing to keep pace and separate in the east is a top priority. Tulsa is now in a playoff spot for the first time ever and will look to hold on and jump Frisco for the second spot if possible.
HOW TO FINISH THE FIGHT"ERS" The second half of the season's opener between these two teams ultimately led to the Oilers demise. After leading 19-7 at half, Frisco surged thanks to QB TJ Edwards who rushed for four touchdowns in the game including the overtime winning score. Tulsa has had incredible starts to games this season with the second half seeing a push back by their opponent. Keeping the effort similar coming out of the locker room has to be a reality in order to beat Edwards and the Fighters who must be contained.
Tulsa will be at home on April 20 to take on the Frisco Fighters in the second edition of the Red river Rumble at 7:05 pm CT at the BOK Center.
Tulsa Oilers Football Season and Group Tickets are on sale now! Call the front office at 918-632-7825 or visit www.tulsaoilersfootball.com for more information.
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