Oilers Just Shy of a Large Upset
May 13, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
Tulsa, Okla. - Tulsa Oilers Football, proud member of the IFL, fall to the Frisco Fighters by a final score of 39-37 after losing the lead late.
Frisco began the scoring on the opening drive via a 38-yard touchdown pass to Jerminic Smith on just the third play of the game. Bryce Crawford would miss the extra point making it 6-0 Fighters. The Oilers found the endzone with 9:02 left in the first quarter on a 1-yard rushing score by Jo-El Shaw to give Tulsa a lead of 7-6 after a good extra point by Jeremy Reynolds.
Frisco recorded back-to-back touchdowns to start the second quarter scoring, first with 7:24 left in the half on a 12-yard touchdown catch by Smith for his second of the day and again on a 19-yard touchdown reception by Phazione McClurge with 0:24 left in the second to bring the Frisco lead up to 20-7. Reynolds for Tulsa would hit a 24-yard field goal with 0:05 left in the half to bring both teams to the locker room after two with a 20-10 score in favor of the Fighters.
Tulsa wasted no time scoring to open the second half, after receiving the opening kickoff of the third, the Oilers scored in just two plays, this time thanks to Shaw again on a 7-yard rushing touchdown to make it 20-17 Frisco with 13:45 left in the third quarter. The Fighters quarterback, TJ Edwards, responded by getting into the endzone with 8:19 remaining in the third on a rush less than a yard outside of the goal line, giving Frisco a 27-17 lead. Tulsa's breakout receiver, Alexis Rosario, found a touchdown next, connecting on a 24-yard reception into the endzone with 6:28 to go in the third quarter, bringing the Oilers' deficit to just 27-23. On the following PA attempt, Frisco deflected the kick and returned the ball all the way back for a score thanks to defensive back, Michael Lovett, giving the Fighters a 29-23 edge. Smith for the Fighters finished the third quarter scoring his third touchdown of the game, completing the hat-trick on a 10-yard reception with 1:45 remaining in the quarter to make the score in favor of Frisco, 36-23 with the final quarter left to play.
Damion Mayfor Tulsa would light the scoring fire in the fourth with 9:53 left in regulation via his 7-yard touchdown reception to bring the game within one possession again, 36-30 Frisco. Jonathan Nance found his first touchdown as an Oiler thanks to another 7-yard catch for a score to give Tulsa their first lead since the first quarter, 37-36 Oilers, with 5:00 left in the game. Down to the final possessions of the game, Frisco kicker, Bryce Crawford kicked the eventual game-winning 46-yard field goal, hitting the crossbar but pushing through the uprights to give Frisco a 39-37 edge with 1:36 remaining in the fourth quarter. Tulsa falls to 1-6 on the season, concluding the game.
Tulsa's heads out west to try their luck in Vegas against the Knight Hawks, Saturday, May 20. Kickoff is set for 9:05 p.m. Tulsa's next home game is Saturday, May 27, against the Massachusetts Pirates on Military Appreciation Night. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m.
Tulsa Oilers Football Season and Group Tickets are on sale now! Call the front office at 918-632-7825 or visit www.tulsaoilersfootball.com for more information.
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Indoor Football League Stories from May 13, 2023
- Panthers Lose 35-34 Heartbreaker at Northern Arizona - Bay Area Panthers
- Pirates Fall to Barnstormers 73-43 - Massachusetts Pirates
- Barnstormers Defeat Pirates in First Win of the Season - Iowa Barnstormers
- Oilers Just Shy of a Large Upset - Tulsa Oilers
- Steamwheelers Weather the Storm - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Duke City Hosts Tucson in Week Nine - Tucson Sugar Skulls
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