Raptors fall in UIF opener
March 21, 2005 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Tennessee Valley Raptors News Release
EVANSVILLE, Ind. â The United Indoor Football season got off to rough start for the Tennessee Valley Raptors.
Evansville Bluecats quarterback Ramon Robinson's last-second 11-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Clark clinched a 53-51 victory over the Raptors before an announced crowd of 2,557 fans Saturday night at Roberts Stadium.
"To be honest I thought we played pretty well,'' Raptors coach Dick Adams said. "We did some good things, but we can't have turnovers and stupid penalties absolutely killed us. Our special teams played pretty good with the exception off a stupid play that cost us a safety. You can't do those things and win football games.
"The kids played hard. I can't ask any more from them than that because their effort was tremendous. We had some guys playing a lot of snaps. It was a tough loss, but I have no problem with the effort. I thought we did a good job."
The game was tied at 34-all late in the third quarter before Raptors wide receiver Durocher Miller broke the deadlock with an 8-yard run and kicker Steven Lee added the extra point.
Evansville struck back on Dale Jennings' 2-yard dive minutes later but still trailed by one after the extra-point try missed. Lee's 37-yard field goal had given Tennessee Valley a 44-40 edge with 3:38 to go before Robinson's 16-yard touchdown pass to Tarron Acuff with 30 seconds to play.
But an unsportsmanlike celebration penalty set the Raptors up at Bluecats' 15 after the ensuing kickoff, and then Neil Lindsay connected with Kerwin Cook from 11-yards out for a touchdown on the next play.
After a pair of important third-down and fourth-down conversions, Robinson delivered the game-winner to Clark.
Safety Henry Freeman returned an interception for a touchdown and linebacker Lionel Macklin returned a fumble for another for the Raptors. Lindsey completed 4-of-11 passes for just 26 yards with a touchdown and rushed for another score.
The Raptors have this weekend off before traveling to Dayton (Ohio) on April 2.
United Indoor Football Association Stories from March 21, 2005
- Weekly Wrap-Up for UIF Week 1 - UIF
- Raptors fall in UIF opener - Tennessee Valley Raptors
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