Omaha Visits Utah for Huge Game in Playoff Race
May 14, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Utah Warriors News Release
West Valley City, UT / May 14, 2004 – We’re just over halfway through the 2004 NIFL season and the Pacific Conference playoff race is wide open. A key game in the race for the final spot is Saturday’s game between the Omaha Beef and Utah Warriors. Omaha is currently tied for the Pacific North Division lead with Sioux Falls, but they hold the tiebreaker. Omaha and Sioux Falls are ½ game ahead of Utah for the wild card spot.
Utah and Omaha played in last seasonÂ’s Pacific Conference championship game in Omaha, with Utah winning 62-51. That is the only prior meeting between the two teams. This season Utah is 4-1 at home while Omaha is 0-2 on the road. Last week Utah held on to defeat the Lake Charles LandSharks 77-74 at the E-Center, while Omaha defeated the Tri-City Diesel 49-42 in Omaha.
This game is truly a battle between a high octane offense and a shut everyone down defense. Utah is fourth in the league averaging 52 points per game, while Omaha defense is fifth best allowing just 32.4 points per game. Utah is eighth in total offense at 245.8 yards per game and Omaha is eighth is total defense, allowing 192.4 yards per game.
WarriorsÂ’ quarterback Doug Smith is fourth in the NIFL with 1,313 passing yards. Smith has a QB rating of 103.7 and has thrown 29 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. His favorite receiver is Emmett White who leads the team with 34 receptions and his 437 yards are ninth best in the NIFL. Omar Bacon carries the Utah offense on the ground and with his receptions. Bacon leads the team with 96 carries for 302 yards, plus he is second on the squad with 21 receptions. Bacon has 20 total touchdowns this season, including five last week.
This year Omaha has four quarterbacks with 20 or more pass attempts. Troy Travis is the main quarterback, going 45x74 for 467 yards and seven touchdowns is just three games. Kahil Jones is 16x32 for 212 yards and four touchdowns, playing in four games. Dusty Burk and Tommy Aldana also have 20-plus attempts, and Burk has thrown for 206 yards and three scores. AJ Street is the teamÂ’s top receiver. Street has 30 catches for 332 yards and four touchdowns. Stephen Lovell has 24 receptions for 269 yards and four touchdowns. Doug Bargman is the BeefÂ’s deep threat, averaging 17.2 yards per catch, and scoring four times in 12 catches. Kevin Brown leads the team with 77 rushes and 250 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
The Warriors defense is 20th in the league allowing 48.6 points per game and 23rd allowing 263.1 yards per game. Bart Amundson leads the team, and is third in the league, with 48.5 tackles. Amundson also has 2.5 tackles-for-loss, one interception, and two fumble recoveries. Dee McCormick is second on the team with 35 tackles and leads the team with 10 pass break-ups, including two interceptions. McCormick will not play in this game due to team rules.
The Omaha defensive line may be the best in the league, led by Donavon LaViness. LaViness leads the league with 57 tackles. He also has five tackles-for-loss and one sack. Justin Comstock is second on the Beef with 41 tackles. Bryan Eakin leads the team with 12 tackles-for-loss and is second with 2.5 sacks. Charles Verdone leads them with three interceptions and 10 pass break-ups.
ABOUT THE UTAH WARRIORS
The Utah Warriors is a professional indoor football team playing in the National Indoor Football League. Defending their 2003 Pacific Conference Championship, the Warriors are currently 5-3 in the 2004 season, which runs through June, 2004.
With home field at The E-Center, the Warriors offer a fast-paced, exciting brand of football for fans of all ages. For schedule and ticket information, contact the Warriors front office at 801.973.7311, or visit www.utahwarriors.com.
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