Iowa Wins Second Straight After Upset Win against Massachusetts
May 13, 2024 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release
DES MOINES, IA - Down 21 points in the first half, a strong second-half push helped the Iowa Barnstormers sail to a 42-34 comeback victory.
In front of a home crowd, the Barnstormers (2-5) battled against the Massachusetts Pirates (5-2) on Saturday night.
On the game's opening drive, Massachusetts quarterback Alejandro Bennifield found wide receiver Dallas Daniels for a 15-yard completion, and from there, the Pirates got on the board with Jimmie Robinson scoring from two yards out.
Without missing a beat on the ensuing drive, wide receiver Teo Redding found his way free deep down the sideline for a 45-yard score, extending the lead to 14-0 in the first quarter.
Quarterback Kyle King found wide receiver Quian Williams to help the Barnstormers finally get their footing, but defensive lineman Guy Thomas derailed the drive with a sack on the next play. Kicker Gabriel Rui drilled a 40-yard field goal to cut the lead to 14-3 heading into the second quarter.
Massachusetts cruised down the field once again, despite a momentum-crushing penalty negated a long kickoff return. Daniels made a 14-yard catch, and Bennifield ran into the end zone for a touchdown.
Down 21-3 midway through the second quarter, the Barnstormers defense needed to make a stop. Linebacker Ian McBorrough did just that, getting his first sack, ultimately forcing the Pirates to a field goal attempt that they missed.
Defensive momentum then reflected onto the offense. Running back Robert Washington bullied his way down the field, and two plays later, he ran through multiple tacklers to get Iowa's first touchdown of the game.
In the waning seconds of the second quarter, Massachusetts marched down the field and Bennifield rushed in for the eight-yard score. However, nine seconds was all the Barnstormers needed as King found wide receiver Keshaun Taylor in the back of the end zone to end the half 28-19.
King, unphased by the halftime break, led a methodical drive down the field. After a pass interference call against the Pirates overturned a fourth-down incompletion, he took the ball into the end zone himself to cut the lead to two points.
As the third quarter wound down, defensive lineman Tyler Tate got his first sack of the season, forcing a fourth down. The roar of the crowd continued with defensive back Jefferson Fritz returning the long kickoff 50 yards to the opposite 10-yard line.
Washington took advantage of the short field, scoring his second touchdown of the game to put Iowa in front 33-28. Rui then added his first deuce of the game to extend the lead.
A penalty against the Pirates gave the Barnstormers offense a shot in the arm. King whipped a ball to Taylor down the sideline, and despite a holding call against Iowa, King found Taylor for a 13-yard score.
Bennifield threw to wide receiver Thomas Owens for a late touchdown to cut the game back to one score, but it was too little too late as Iowa held on to win 42-34.
King threw for 97 yards and two touchdowns, both to Taylor who had a team-leading 63 yards. Washington also added 63 yards and two scores on the ground.
The Barnstormers will hit the road next week when they take on the Quad City Steamwheelers for the second time in less than two weeks on Friday at 7:05 p.m. CT.
Indoor Football League Stories from May 13, 2024
- Rattlers Win Second Straight After Week Nine Victory against Sugar Skulls - Arizona Rattlers
- Iowa Wins Second Straight After Upset Win against Massachusetts - Iowa Barnstormers
- The Blizzard Bounce Back in Week Nine with a Win against Tulsa - Green Bay Blizzard
- Vegas Remains IIFL's Only Undefeated Team with Win against San Diego - Vegas Knight Hawks
- Quad City Top Sioux Falls, Winning Their Third Game of the Season - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Celebrate 515 Day with the Iowa Barnstormers - Iowa Barnstormers
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