Preview: Cedar Rapids vs. Nebraska
April 15, 2016 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Cedar Rapids River Kings News Release
Cedar Rapids, IA - After a three-game winning streak was stopped last weekend in Sioux Falls, the Cedar Rapids Titans (4-3) will look to get back into the win column Saturday night as they take on the reigning Intense Conference champion Nebraska Danger (5-2) in Week Nine Indoor Football League action. Saturday night's game will be the second matchup between these two games this season with the Danger winning the first contest 78-71 in Cedar Rapids on March 4 of this year. Nebraska leads the all-time series 2-1.
Titans quarterback Dylan Favre continues to make the most of his rookie campaign, leading the Indoor Football League in total yards on offense (1,252 total yards - 1,069 passing, 183 rushing) and total touchdowns on offense (33 - 24 passing, 9 rushing). Favre also has a 66.2% pass completion percentage (96 of 145), which happens to be second-highest in the Indoor Football League. After throwing eight interceptions in the first five games, Favre has thrown just one pick the past three matchups.
After a Canadian Football League workout last week, reigning IFL Most Valuable Player Jameel Sewell will return to lead the Danger offense. Sewell has completed 57 of 113 passes (50.4%) for 748 yards and 12 touchdowns through seven games on the season. Showing his versatility, Sewell has also added 252 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.
Cedar Rapids running back Waymon James leads the ground attack for the Titans, notching 238 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 73 carries. Also serving as the Titans' kick returner, James also ranks second in the IFL for total all-purpose yardage (801yds - 114.4/game).
A rookie to the indoor game, Danger running back Lyle McCombs has been playing most of this season like a seasoned veteran. McCombs leads the league in all-purpose yardage with 321 rushing yards, 119 receiving yards, and 582 kick return yards. McCombs, a product of the University of Connecticut, has scored six times on the ground (five rushing touchdowns and one kick return touchdown).
Titans wide out Jared Elmore leads the Cedar Rapids receiving corps with 37 receptions for 513 yards and 13 touchdowns. His touchdown total is second highest in the IFL while he ranks third in both total receptions and receiving yards. IFL veteran Ryan Balentine has added 296 receiving yards and six touchdowns while Charles Watkins has notched 12 receptions for 137 yards and three touchdowns over the course of his sophomore campaign.
IFL veteran OJ Simpson leads the Danger receivers with 24 receptions for 354 yards and seven touchdowns. Simpson's 14.8 yards-per-catch average is second highest among all Indoor Football League receivers.
Cedar Rapids linebacker Niko Sierra has recorded 49 stops on the season, tied for second in the league with Danger defensive back Jabari Gorman. Titans defensive lineman Jermiah Price leads the league in both tackles-for-loss (13) and sacks (5.5) while fellow defensive lineman Xzavie Jackson has 9.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Jackson is second in the league in both categories.
Tomorrow night's kickoff is slated for 7:05 p.m. from Mediacom Field and the U.S. Cellular Center. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for the Titans' Ultimate Tailagate on the arena concourse. As a part of the tailgate, $2 hot dogs, $2 sodas, and $2 draft beer will be available on the arena concourse until 6:00 p.m.
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Indoor Football League Stories from April 15, 2016
- Empire Signs Kicker Steven Wakefield - Spokane Empire
- Storm Ready For Nighthawks - Sioux Falls Storm
- Preview: Cedar Rapids vs. Nebraska - Cedar Rapids River Kings
- Iowa hosts Spokane at Wells Fargo Arena - Iowa Barnstormers
- Fever Look for Sweep of Crush - Tri-Cities Fever
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