Mistakes and controversy foil Bluecats in loss
May 18, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Evansville BlueCats News Release
Many times the game of football comes down to a game of field position. Never was that more evident than in the Evansville Bluecats 52-40 loss at the hands of the Atlantic City Card Sharks Saturday night. Long kickoff returns, a blocked field goal and key turnovers had the Bluecats' defense with their backs to the wall all night. The Card Sharks had 10 possessions that started inside Evansville's 20-yard line including 6 that started inside the 10-yard line.
Despite 3 turnovers and a blocked field goal, the âCats defense kept them in the game with 3 interceptions of their own, including a 42-yard touchdown by cornerback Moses Washington to pull the Bluecats to within 7 as the 1st half ended. With 1:55 left in the game and the Bluecats down by 5, it appeared that the defense had made their 7th stop of the night when on a 4th down option play running back James DeMaise fumbled into the end zone. Quarterback Tony Racioppi then fell on the ball for a controversial touchdown. The NIFL rulebook's 4th Down Fumble rule states that "on fourth down only the offensive player who fumbled the ball may recover and advance the ball for the offense." After a discussion by the officials the touchdown was declared setting the final 12-point margin. After an interception by each team in the next minute of play, the Bluecats ran out of time for the comeback.
Wide receiver Byron Curtis had 88 yards receiving and 130 all-purpose yards with 2 touchdowns while Ramon Robinson added 3 passing TD's and led all rushers with 49 yards on 8 attempts. Former Florida Gator defensive back Matt Jackson had a solid performance in his professional debut with 6 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass defended. Other defensive standouts were Isaiah Grier who led the team with 8.5 tackles, Scotty Stewart with 1 interception and Washington's interception for a TD.
The âCats now pack their bags and head on the road for 3 straight games beginning with the Atlantic South leading Houma Bayou Bucks this Saturday May 22 in Louisiana. Catch all the play by play on GOLD WYNG 95 or by logging on to www.evansvillebluecats.com. Fan buses are now forming for the May 29th game at Lexington, Kentucky. Please call 812-491-9401 for more information.
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