IFL Green Bay Blizzard

Green Bay Blizzard Rally Falls Short against Colorado, 49-47

Published on June 7, 2014 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release


Fort Collins, CO - The Green Bay Blizzard saw their last second heroics fall just short Saturday night as Colorado held off a furious rally by the Blizzard during the final minutes. The Colorado Ice held on to defeat Green Bay 49-47 at the Budweiser Events Center in Fort Collins, CO.

Down by 12 with 1:41 remaining in the game the Blizzard (1-12) staged a comeback as WR Donte Sawyer caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from QB Nate Wara with just seconds remaining to pull the team within two points of the Colorado Ice (10-3). However, the team's two-point conversion fell just short, ensuring the Ice's victory.

The second matchup between the two teams was a close back and forth affair that featured six lead changes in the first half. The Ice move to 2-0 all-time against the Blizzard, winning the previous contest 24-20 on March 17,2013. With the victory, the Colorado Ice secured home field advantage in the playoffs.

The Blizzard saw contributions from all phases of the game and controlled the clock for a season-high 38 minutes but the team was not able to stop Ice WR Donald Fusilier, who had five touchdown receptions.

The Blizzard got on the board in a big way early in the first quarter. DB James Ackel intercepted Ice QB Willie Copeland on Colorado's first drive of the game and returned it for a touchdown to give Green Bay an early 6-0 lead. It was the Blizzard's second consecutive game with a interception return for a touchdown. In addition, Ackel would go on to record season-high 16 tackles during the game.

Green Bay and Colorado exchanged touchdowns later in the first quarter with RB Lucien Walker catching a pass from Wara. After Colorado's touchdown however, Green Bay KR Dontrell Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 45 yards for a touchdown. The kickoff return for a touchdown was the Blizzard's first this season. Colorado would add another touchdown and led going into the second quarter 22-20.

Colorado's 11 point unanswered streak during the first and second quarters was ended by,newly signed WR Avonte Jones who gave Green Bay the lead with less than a minute til halftime. Colorado struck back just before halftime to retake the lead however as WR Donald Fusilier caught his second of five touchdown passes. The Ice led 31-27 at the half.

The Ice scored on their first drive of the third quarter with another touchdown to Fusilier, giving the team a 12-point lead, of which they held on to for much of the second half. The two teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter with RB Lucien Walker getting his second touchdown reception of the night.

The Blizzard saw scoring opportunities fizzle in the fourth quarter as the team ended an 11 play, six-minute drive with no points as K Adrian Trevino missed a field goal. The Green Bay defense held however and with 1:41 the Blizzard started to stage a comeback as Wara found WR Andre London for a 45-yard touchdown pass. Green Bay responded to a Colorado field goal with WR Donte Sawyer's 19-yard catch with 11 seconds remaining. The team's two-point attempt came up short and Colorado recovered the ensuing onside kick to hold on to win 49-47.

Nate Wara finished the night completing 23 of a career-high 38 passes for 250 yards, 5 touchdowns and an interception. He also led the team in rushing with seven carries for 29 yards. WR Andre London led the team in receiving with eight catches for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Colorado QB Willie Copeland, who played for Green Bay in 2011, finished the night completing 16 of 22 passes for 157 yards, six touchdowns and an interception. RB Randy Bell led the team in rushing with 18 carries for 53 yards. WR Donald Fusilier, tied the IFL record with five receiving touchdowns. He also had 10 receptions for 95 yards.

The Blizzard return home to Aurora BayCare Field at the Resch Center next Friday night, June 13, in the team's final game of the season against the Bemidji Axemen. The Blizzard will be throwing a big party as there will be buy one get one free beer and all youth 14 and under will receive hats, posters, beads and more. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM.

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