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IFL Northern Arizona Wranglers

Northern Arizona Wranglers Bounce Back with Win against the Vegas Knight Hawks

April 2, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Northern Arizona Wranglers News Release


The Northern Arizona Wranglers had a different energy about them in their second game of the regular season, as they pulled off a thrilling 48-42 win over the Vegas Knight Hawks.

The Wranglers came out firing from the very first drive on Saturday evening, as returning Wranglers wide receiver Glen Gibbons Jr. took a pitch for an eight-yard score. The Wranglers found themselves in front of the Knight Hawks right away, by a score of 6-0. Vegas responded with a touchdown of their own, taking a 7-6 lead over Northern Arizona. The Vegas lead was instantly wiped away, courtesy of Wranglers wide receiver Andre Williams. Williams took the ensuing kickoff from his own two-yard line, all the way to the end zone for a 48-yard score. The Wranglers took a 14-7 lead and kept that lead through the end of the first quarter.

The Wranglers opened the second quarter in similar fashion to the first, with a Gibbons Jr. rushing touchdown. The Wranglers defense followed this possession with a fourth down stop on the Knight Hawks 20-yard line. The Wranglers took one offensive play to get in the end zone, with a laser from quarterback Garrett Kettle to Wranglers returning wide receiver Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman. Williams also notched a tackle in the end zone on the following kickoff to notch the one-point rouge. The Wranglers suddenly had a 29-7 lead over the Knight Hawks with that 20-yard score from Kettle to Chiaokhiao-Bowman. Vegas responded with a touchdown, bringing the game to a 29-14 score, in favor of Northern Arizona. With seven seconds remaining in the game's first half, Wranglers defensive back Dorian Walker nabbed an impressive interception. The Wranglers went into halftime with a 29-14 lead.

The Wranglers and Knight Hawks traded touchdowns during the third quarter, with Vegas striking first to bring the game to a 29-21 score. Chiaokhiao-Bowman nabbed his second touchdown reception, and the lead was extended yet again. To close the third quarter, former Wranglers wide receiver Quentin Randolph scored a 30-yard touchdown for Vegas. The score was 35-28 in favor of the Wranglers heading into the fourth.

Chiaokhiao-Bowman added his third score of the day, as he fought past a Knight Hawks defender at the goal line. Chiaokhiao-Bowman was originally called down at the one-yard line, however the play was overturned. Chiaokhiao-Bowman crossed the goal line before slamming into the wall, which made for one of the game's most exciting moments. Vegas responded with a touchdown, forced turnover, and yet another touchdown. The game was tied at 42 apiece, with just 26 seconds remaining on the clock. The Knight Hawks opted to shoot for the lead by attempting to kick a deuce on the following kickoff. After the kick was missed, The Wranglers were given 26 seconds and two timeouts to go just 25 yards for the score. The Wranglers capped off the game with one final rushing touchdown from Gibbons Jr., as he scored with just four seconds left. The Wranglers were able to successfully get back in the win column and currently hold a 1-1 record on the season.

Kettle looked great on Saturday night, notching his first win in the Indoor Football League as a starting quarterback. Kettle threw for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Chiaokhiao-Bowman hauled in seven receptions for 106 yards and three scores. On the defensive side of the football, defensive back Kishawn Walker recorded seven total tackles, one interception, and four passes defended.

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