Raiders Defeat Nighthawks, 41-23
March 23, 2013 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Richmond Raiders News Release
The Raiders put together a balanced offense and a suffocating defense to get their first win of 2013 with a 41-23 takedown of the Knoxville Nighthawks. After a back and forth first half, the Raiders dominated the final 30 minutes, using two fourth down stops to stifle any hopes the Nighthawks had of a comeback.
Both offenses were content to move down the field at a leisurely pace and in small chunks of yardage. By the time each team had the ball just once, only 43 seconds remained in the first quarter. Knoxville started the game with an eight play touchdown drive, and the Raiders answered with a nine play drive to tie the game when Antwon Young found Hakeem Moore on an 18 yard pass. On the ensuing kickoff, Kirkland Davidson was hit by Davon Morgan, who knocked the ball loose and fell on it with assistance from Kevin Allen. Two plays later Young ran two yards to paydirt and the Raiders had their first lead.
Undaunted, Randy Hippeard drove his team downfield, eventually throwing a long ball which Deandre Brown caught for a 28 yard touchdown, and when Armando Cuko added the first of his two unos, the Nighthawks were up by a point. Young led the Raiders on a six minute drive culminating in his second 18-yard touchdown pass to Moore, and the Raiders would never relinquish the lead.
Warren Smith replaced Young early in the third quarter and completed a 45 yard, nine play drive, and the Raiders took a 26-16 lead on Mike Jones' two yard plunge. Knoxville tried to answer and, after moving the ball to the Raider nine yard line, faced fourth and one. Hippeard, who had successfully sneaked up the middle twice in the first half, tried it again but was stuffed by the Raider D-line. Jones ran for another touchdown to cap a methodical drive, the Raiders forced another three and out, and converted the pooched field goal into a 41-16 lead on Smith's 10-yard bullet to Herb Jones.
Randy Hippeard didn't give up, hooking up with Kevin Bolden on a 45 yard touchdown, and the Nighthawks had a chance to get back in the game following a blocked field goal which gave them possession at the Raiders six yard line. But relentless pressure from the Raiders' front four led to four incomplete passes and the Raiders ran out the clock. Richmond held the ball for over 22 minutes in the second half, and ran 32 passing plays to 17 rushes, including 13 by Jones, who finished with 44 yards and two scores. Knoxville managed only 130 yards of total offense "" the second-lowest total in PIFL history.
The teams will meet again next week in Knoxville.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from March 23, 2013
- Nighthawks Play Hard, Come up Short - Knoxville NightHawks
- Swashbucklers Lose to Lehigh Valley Steelhawks - Louisiana Swashbucklers
- Raiders Defeat Nighthawks, 41-23 - Richmond Raiders
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