Horsemen grab division lead with record-setting victory over Evansville
June 1, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Kentucky Horsemen News Release
The Lexington Horsemen (6-3 overall, 4-0 division) snatched sole possession of first place in the NIFL Atlantic North division with a 69-28 pounding of division foe Evansville on Saturday. The BlueCats stayed close to the Horsemen early in the game, cutting the lead to 20-14 with 13:22 to go in the second quarter. Lexington then went on a tear, scoring three unanswered touchdowns before halftime to stretch the lead to 42-14. Evansville would get no closer than 21 points the rest of the way, and Lexington blanked the BlueCats 20-0 in the fourth quarter to turn the game into a rout.
The Horsemen offense had a spectacular day, led by RB Martez Johnson, who shattered the Horsemen team rushing record by piling up 141 yards on the ground (Johnson held the previous record of 88 yards, set against Evansville on June 7, 2003). Johnson also broke the team record for longest run from scrimmage with a 32-yard dash up the middle for a fourth-quarter touchdown. QB Dusty Bonner tied his own team record for touchdown passes with 8 on the day, to go with his 22 completions on 30 attempts for 197 yards. He was not intercepted in the game. WRs Dougie Allen and Chad Spencer also tied the team record for touchdown catches in a game, each pulling in three on the night. Allen caught six passes for 101 yards, and Spencer caught six for 74 yards.
Defensively, DBs Tayo Agboke and Nate Green led all tacklers in the game, each notching 8 solo tackles. Agboke also had an interception and a pass deflection in the game. LB Chris Gayton and DL Jermaine Bradfield each recorded a tackle for loss as well.
K Justin Hutton continued to rack up points, hitting on 7 of 8 PATs during the game.
HORSEMEN STATISTICAL LEADERS
Several Horsemen are among the league's statistical leaders this season. Dusty Bonner is leading the NIFL in passing touchdowns, with 42, and is currently second in the league in pass rating with a 107.6 figure. He is also fourth in total offense (1,659 yards) and fifth in passing yards per game (177.7). WR Dougie Allen continues to pile up the all-purpose yards, and is currently fourth in the NIFL with 1,353 total all-purpose yards on the year. Allen is also seventh in kick return average at 21.9 yards per return. RB Martez Johnson is currently sixth in the league in rushing yards, with 429 on the year, and WR Chad Spencer is tied for eighth in the NIFL in receptions, with 48.
K Justin Hutton is currently eighth in scoring among kickers with 64 points on the season, and is fifth overall in PAT kicking, having made 49 of 55 attempts for an 89.1 percentage on the season.
Defensively, DB Nate Green is currently fifth in the NIFL in interceptions, having returned six picks for 55 yards and a touchdown.
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT: CAROLINA STINGRAYS
The Horsemen travel to Florence, SC on Monday to visit the Carolina Stingrays (3-3, 1-3) in an interdivisional matchup. The Rays are led by QB Albert Higgs, who is averaging 146.8 yards per game passing, and has thrown for 25 touchdowns on the season. Higgs' favorite targets are WRs Raphael Cooper and Mike Montoya, who are averaging 48.8 and 42.0 yards per game receiving. Cooper also leads all Carolina players in scoring with 10 touchdowns on the year.
Defensively, the Stingrays are led by LB Al Wilson, who leads the team in tackles (29.5), and is tied for the team lead in sacks with 2.5. Wilson is supported by DB Larry Davis, who is second on the team in tackles and leads Carolina in passes defended, with four. Up front, DL Ezekiel Gamble leads the team in tackles for loss with 6.5, and is tied with Wilson for the sack lead, with 2.5.
OTHER NEWS AND NOTES
June 12 is Ladies Night in Rupp â ladies over 18 get half-price tickets
The Horsemen's June 12 game against Show Me in Rupp Arena will be Ladies Night â all ladies over 18 will be able to purchase a ticket for half price.
The Horsemen game against Carolina will be broadcast live at 7:05 PM EST on WLAP 630-AM. Ryan Lemond and Jeff Gilstrap will have the call.
National Indoor Football League Stories from June 1, 2004
- Diesel Helping with Bag Hunger Campaign - Tri-City Diesel
- Storm Dominates Utah 62-37, Extends Winning Streak to 8 Games - Sioux Falls Storm
- Horsemen grab division lead with record-setting victory over Evansville - Kentucky Horsemen
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
