Ice Unable To End Storm's Streak
May 10, 2007 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Colorado Crush News Release
The Colorado Ice (4-3) fell 49-20 to the undefeated Sioux Falls Storm (6-0) Saturday night at the Budweiser Events Center, handing them their 26th consecutive victory. Sioux Falls continues to lead the West division with Colorado in second.
The Ice were the first team to put up seven points in the first quarter when quarterback Ryan Clement connected with Tim Pope for his first of three touchdowns for the night. The Storm answered with two touchdowns and a safety to close the quarter up 16-7 while holding Colorado scoreless in the second and third quarters. Sioux Falls put up a pair of field goals and a 6-yard run from Marques Smith to put them ahead 29-7 at halftime and had the only score in the third quarter on an 8-yard pass from Terrance Bryant to Allen Burell.
Colorado recorded two touchdowns in the fourth, both from Matt Gutierrez to Pope. Sioux Falls' Smith also added two scores in between the Ice's series. Pope led Colorado with 95 yards and three scores. Smith led the Storm with four rushing touchdowns on the night. Defensive back Travis Garcia led the defensive unit with one sack for 14 yards, three forced fumbles and a broken up pass.
The Ice will travel to Billings to take on the Outlaws on Friday, May 11 at 7:00 p.m. The Ice previously beat the Outlaws 26-25 in their inaugural season home opener in Loveland, Colo. Colorado returns home on May 19, for "Military Night" - a 7:05 p.m. match up against the Sioux City Bandits. Tickets available by calling 877-544-8499, online at comcasttix.com, in person at the Budweiser Events Center Box Office, the Colorado Ice Headquarters, or any Comcast tix outlet. All Ice games will be broadcast live on 1310 AM KFKA.
Week Eight Preview: Billings Outlaws
The Colorado Ice (4-3) concluded their three-game home stand with a 2-1 record and will travel to Billings this Friday, May 11, to take on the Outlaws (1-4) at 7 p.m. in MetraPark. Colorado is coming off a tough 49-20 loss to the undefeated Sioux Falls Storm at home while the Outlaws had a bye in week seven.
The two teams met for the first time on March 23, in Loveland, Colo. for Colorado's inaugural season home opener. The Ice defeated the Outlaws in a close 26-25 showing, thanks to a field goal by Deric Yaussi in the final minute. Colorado's defense will play a large role in this game, as will the rushing game. The team is tied for first with the most fumble recoveries by the defense and have put together 594 total rushing yards this season, which leads the UIF.
Matt Gutierrez will start at quarterback against Billings while Ryan Clement looks doubtful with a knee injury. League rushing leader, Eugene Reed, is also expected to start at running back on Friday. Other injuries include: RB Sean Ingram, doubtful, knee; DB Jason McCleary, out, knee; WR Mike Jones, probable, elbow.
Game Notes:
The Ice held the Outlaws scoreless in the first and fourth quarters of game one.
Game one was RB Eugene Reed's first and only 100-yard plus rushing game.
Colorado rushed for 140 yards and threw for 96 in game one while Billings rushed for 36 and threw for 170.
Colorado was 3-of-5 in the red zone in game one.
Ryan Palmer, Clint Brown & Travis Garcia each picked off QB Chris Dixon in game one.
Garcia leads league with five interceptions for 76 yards and a TD.
Colorado will be without three offensive players that started Game One; Clement, Justin Gallas and Troy Vermillion.
Steve Frye had a season high eight tackles (seven solo) against Billings in game one.
Yaussi was named UIF Special Teams Player of the Week after game one for his four field goals and two PATs.
The Ice are 4-1 this season when they are the first team to score.
Colorado Ice Sit Third in League Community Service
Six United Indoor Football teams have contributed over 278 hours of community service so far this season, the Ice are one. Players, coaches, cheerleaders, ball babes and staff combined for 101 total hours last month to rank them third, just behind the Evansville BlueCats and the RiverCity Rage. In the past month, the Ice have played in a flag football game with at risk teens, participated in an Earth Day Celebration, read to kids during Sports Day at a day care and spoke to an elementary for "Just Say No" drug and alcohol prevention week. To view the schedule of appearances, go to the "Community" section on the Ice website, www.TheColoradoIce.com.
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United Indoor Football Association Stories from May 10, 2007
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