Maulers lose to Renegades
March 25, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Montgomery Bears News Release
After scoring 71 points in the season opener one week earlier, the Montgomery Maulers were unable to get their offense on track Friday night as the Rome Renegades defeated the Maulers 33-21 in Rome, GA.
Montgomery running back Chrys Chukuma scored all three Montgomery touchdowns while the Maulers passing attack never materialized. The Maulers, though, still had a chance to take the lead with three minutes left in the game. Trailing 27-21, Montgomery was threatening at the Rome five yard line, but quarterback Cedric Dupree, who replaced starter Brian Balazik in the second quarter, threw an interception in the endzone. Rome then added a late touchdown to seal the victory.
In addition to the Renegades defense, the Maulers battled the smaller confines of the Rome Coliseum turf. The playing field was only 75 feet wide (ten feet less than the standard indoor football field) and the endzones were only four yards deep.
"Rome practiced all week on this smaller field and it showed," said Maulers head coach James Shiver. "Our timing was completely off and our receivers struggled all night finding room to get open."
The Maulers (1-1) will play their first home game on Saturday, April 2 at Garrett Coliseum against Shiver's former team, the SW Louisiana Swashbucklers. Opening night festivities include a pregame indoor fireworks show, special appearance by former Auburn coach Pat Dye, the debut of the Maulers dance team and other festivities marking the historic first-ever indoor football game in Montgomery.
For tickets, visit the Garrett Coliseum box office or stop by the Maulers retail shop at Eastdale Mall, call TicketMaster at (800) 277-1700 or log onto www.ticketmaster.com.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from March 25, 2005
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