Game Preview: Tulsa Oilers vs. Jacksonville Sharks
Published on May 2, 2024 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
Tulsa, Okla. - Tulsa Oilers Football, a proud member of the IFL and powered by Community Care, return home to face the Jacksonville Sharks for the first time in franchise history. The first 1000 fans receive an Oilers hat with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and the game starting at 7:05 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT Tulsa put up a 72-59 victory over the Steamwheelers behind Daniel Smith's franchise record five rushing touchdowns in a single game. The Oilers went down 3-0 and responded with a field goal of their own, an impressive 36-yard kick by Michael Hall tying the game at 3-3 with 9:50 remaining in the opening quarter. Former Tulsa Oiler Edward Vander rushed for 5-yards into the endzone to give Quad City the lead back, 10-3 with 4:29 to go in the first. Daniel Smith entered the scoring summary via a 1-yard rush past the goal line to tie the game at 10-10 with 2:33 left in the first quarter. Smith's 6-yard rushing score with 7:38 remaining in the half, helped Tulsa get back within one as the following extra-point attempt was blocked making it 17-16 Quad City. Relatively new Tulsa Oiler, Tre Smalls would pick up a fumble in the backfield and run for 15-yards for the score to give Tulsa its first defensive touchdown of the year and a 23-17 lead with 6:00 remaining in the second. Tulsa connected on a 15-yard catch and score to Alexis Rosario with 1:15 to go in the second quarter to shoot Tulsa back up 30-24. Tulsa received the ball at half and would drive down into Quad City territory where Smith would pick up a 1-yard rushing touchdown to make it 37-31 Oilers with 14:00 to go in the third. Quad City would retake a 38-37 lead but the Oilers saw another connection through the air to Rosario for a 14-yard score to give Tulsa the 44-38 lead with 6:30 left in the third quarter. After trailing by one again, Smith put together another 1-yard rushing score to give the Oilers the lead back, 51-45 with 11:13 remaining in the game. Kareem Gaulden would grab an interception in the endzone to give the Oilers the ball back and the offense followed up with a 45-yard catch and score by Rosario to push Tulsa's lead to 58-45 with 9:00 to go. Scoring would go back and forth as Jonathan Nance would add a 1-yard rushing touchdown and Smith a 2-yard score to finish the game at 72-59 Tulsa.
FOCUS AHEAD History was made last weekend against Quad City but a new focus arises with the visit of the Jacksonville Sharks, a matchup that is the first ever between the two franchises. The Sharks are desperate, for obvious reasons...an 0-5 start has them sniffing for any blood in the water they can find. Still an offense that has much talent, it has not aided in a victorious effort. The Oilers know it can be easy at times to play down to a less adequate team's level and this is what they have made sure to stay active against in practice all week. Still without Josh Crockett for some time, the Oilers have retooled for the time being, bringing in new WR, Noah Housh , a former player for the Nebraska Danger, who will wear #1. Housh is from Lincoln, Nebraska and played at Hastings College.
HOW TO "AVOID THE JAWS" Do not underestimate the unique ability for Jacksonville to find their game quick. The Sharks are not a team you can afford to mess around with early on. If they get the taste of blood they will bite down harder. Tulsa has played tremendous offensively and is in need of a lock down week defensively, they are without top LB Jordan Jones however and will need players like Tre Harvey to be an important producer in this game. Jacksonville is prone to throwing interceptions, applying pressure at the line of scrimmage will push the Sharks into one of two decisions, using the run game outside or throwing the ball quickly allowing for a low reward offense unless they want to risk throwing quickly into coverage.
Tulsa will return home to the BOK Center for a historic first-time matchup with the Jacksonville Sharks on Friday, May 3, at 7:05 p.m. CT. The first 1000 fans will receive an Oilers hat, doors open at 5:30 p.m. CT.
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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