Oklahoma Defenders Capture Dodge City Law in 56-49 Win
March 10, 2014 - Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Oklahoma Defenders News Release
Tulsa, OK - The fourth quarter....at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Oklahoma Defenders players can be seen holding up four fingers. The sign indicates a belief that a game is won in the crucial final period. Historically, football players have used this sign as a symbol that they own that last quarter. The Oklahoma Defenders owned the fourth quarter on Saturday night in Dodge City, racking up 24 of their 56-points during the crucial fourth quarter in which they defeated the Law 56-49.
The Defenders offense seemed to struggle during the first half, scoring only 12 points on two passing plays from QB Zach Rasmussen to receivers Hubert Anyiam and Patrick "Packy" Jones. The defense was lead in the first half by DB Delaney Dobard who had 2 interceptions during the first quarter. The score at halftime was Defenders 12, Dodge City Law 23.
QB Zach Rasmussen threw 5 TDs and rushed for another. Photos courtesy of John Curtis.
The Defenders scored on their first drive of the second half with a 16-yard pass from Rasmussen to Anyiam, using just 1:24 seconds off the clock. Rasmussen also scored on a 5 yard scamper late in the quarter. The Law added two touchdown of their own in the 3rd quarter. At the end of the 3rd quarter, the score was Defenders 26, Dodge City Law 37.
That's when you see the sign....the fourth quarter sign, four fingers in the air----the "we own the fourth quarter" sign. The Defenders scored in the first 3 minutes of the fourth quarter on a 2-yard rush by Kingjack Washington, followed by a made PAT by kicker Tommy Frevert. The Dodge City Law answered with a 48-yard touchdown pass. LB Ronnell Lewis blocked yet another PAT (His 3rd block of the season), and DB Delaney Dobard picked the ball up and ran it all the way back to the end zone, adding 2 points to the Defenders score.
The Defenders scored on their next drive with a 15 yard touchdown pass from QB Zach Rasmussen to WR Hubert Anyiam. The Law added another 6 points to their score. The ensuing kickoff to WR Isaiah Anderson was returned 50-yards for a touchdown. The Defenders were unable to connect on a 2-point conversion and with approximately 7 minutes left in the game, and the Defenders trailed the Law 47-49. The defense continued to be aggressive with a 4-yard tackle for loss by DL Ki'Ounta Cathey and LB Ronnell Lewis and a fumble recovery by DB Niko Wright. The Defenders capitalized on the turnover and QB Rasmussen connected with WR Anyiam again for a 9-yd TD, giving the Defenders their first lead in the game, now up 54-49 with 1:35 left.
The Oklahoma Defenders recovered the on-side kick, but were unable to score on the ensuing drive. Dodge City started their drive with 19 seconds left but DL Ki'Ounta Cathey had his own fourth quarter showing with a sack for loss of 5 yards and safety. This game was indoor football at its finest (minus the 8 penalties racked up by each team), with the Defenders coming out on top, with the 56-49 win.
Statistical highlights include QB Zach Rasmussen went 19 for 29 passing with 5 touchdowns and no interceptions. WR Hubert Anyiam had 4 receiving touchdowns, including a crushing, against-the-wall touchdown catch from Rasmussen in the fourth quarter. Defensive highlights include DB Delaney Dobard's 2 interceptions, 5 tackles, and run of a blocked PAT the length of the field. LB Ronnell Lewis had 11 tackles, including one for a loss and one blocked PAT. DL Cathey also had 5 tackles including 2 significant tackles-for-loss.
The Defenders return home this week and take on the defending CPIFL Champions, the Wichita Wild, on Sunday March 16th at 3:05pm at the Cox Business Center, 100 Civic Center in Tulsa. The event will be Kid's Day, a Spring Break Celebration, with $5 tickets for all kids age 12 and under. Free Defenders sunglasses will be given to the first 300 kids as well. OSU Medical Center, OSU CHS, and OSU-Tulsa staff and students will also receive 50% off tickets with ID.
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Champions Professional Indoor Football League Stories from March 10, 2014
- Dodge City Drops Home-Opener to Oklahoma, 56-49 - Dodge City Law
- Oklahoma Defenders Capture Dodge City Law in 56-49 Win - Oklahoma Defenders
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