Rough Riders send Bluecats to first home loss
Published on May 30, 2005 under United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Peoria Rough Riders News Release
The Peoria Rough Riders snapped their losing streak in Evansville tonight winning 39 â 28 taking their season record to 3-6 with only one road game and five home games remaining on the schedule. It was the Bluecats first loss at home this season.
JR Taylor caught 2 touchdown passes, one for 25 and one for 2 in his debut with the Rough Riders. Those two td passes by Church give him 21 touchdown throws on the year.
Riders' kicker Matt Russell had two field goals of 36 AND 20 yards tonight. He was 3 of 4 on extra points with a fifth extra point try was never attempted due to a bad snap.
The Riders defensive pressure contained and harassed Bluecats Quarterback Ramon Robinson. Newcomer Noah Washington provided pressure at the nose tackle position. Washington's pressure up front aided the key Bluecat fumble in the 4th quarter. Linebacker turned Defensive End Jason VanLoo and opposite Defensive End Mike O'Brien contained and pressured Robinson all night long. In the second half they forced the Bluecats to go for 3 instead of allowing them into the end zone for 6. Before tonight the Rough Riders had been outscore in the fourth quarter 87 to 5. On this night the Riders Defense pitched a shutout in the fourth quarter and only allowed a total of 5 points in the entire second half.
Newcomer Brad Durham also stepped into a difficult role replacing the injured Justen Rivers as the long snapper for the balance of the second half including the key 20-yard Russell field goal.
The Riders streaked ahead 23 â 13 to start the game. It was the Riders running game that put the Riders ahead to start the night. Running Back Brandon Robinson began the game gaining huge chunks of ground on draw plays. Robinson was finally getting his chance to star after the Riders lost Thunder Collins to the NFL and traded Kevin Galbreath to Tennessee Valley. Robinson didn't waste the chance. He scored three rushing touchdowns; one for 16 yards his longest of the year. When the Bluecats tightened up to stop the run the Riders went up top and used the pass effectively.
Evansville tied the score with 8 seconds left in the first half running off 10 unanswered points. At that point their scoring streak looking like the familiar scripts of Rider losses past. But the script was to be re-written on this night in Evansville. On the ensuing Kickoff Brandon Robinson continued his outstanding kick off return performances bringing the ball back to the Rider 15. Then Walt Church found newcomer JR Taylor for a lightning quick 25-yard touchdown strike. It was a key play giving the Rough Riders a life just before halftime lifting the mood of the team in the halftime locker room.
Evansville started the second half scoring with a safety, the third in two weeks against the Riders Offensive line and a field goal to pull Evansville to within two points 30 â 28 in the third quarter. But the Rough Riders offense and defense rose to the occasion this week to end the streak.
First the Rider pulled ahead 36 â 28 on a savvy veteran recognition play when Veteran QB Walt Church played possum; acting as if he was waiting for s substitute to get on the field. Evansville bit on the fake and left Riders WR JR Taylor wide open at the line on the right and Church hit him for an easy score.
Then the Rough Riders Defense took over. Evansville drove to the Rough Rider 7 at the end of the third quarter in their attempt to answer the Riders score. The Riders Defense held after Evansville drove the ball to the Rider 1. Pressure up the middle caused Bluecat QB Robinson to fumble the snap on 4th and goal from the one and recovered the ball on the Rough Rider 8 turning the ball over on downs.
The Riders Defense stalled the Bluecats next drive as well and a Bluecats 24 yard field goal attempt sailed wide giving the Rough Riders Offense the ball with about five minutes left in the game.
The Riders offense took over, taking time to run out the 25-second clock and driving down field in a controlled clock eating drive. A key Church to Schoonover reception gave the Riders the ball in Bluecats territory. Rider Kicker Matt Russell kicked a key 20 yard field goal with just under 1:30 remaining giving the Rough Riders an 11 point lead 39 â 28 giving the Rough Riders a two possession cushion.
Evansville, aided by official's calls, drove to the Rough Riders 7 in an attempt to tighten the score one last time. Pressure by the Rider defense lost the Bluecats yardage. A scramble by the Bluecats Robinson brought the ball back to the Rough Rider 8 for a fourth and goal. The Bluecats opted to try a field goal first and missed their attempt from the 8 turning the ball over to the Rough Riders on downs with :42 left in the game. The Riders offense sealed the victory ending the streak.
The Rough Riders last away game of the season takes them to Wheeling West Virginia next Saturday. They are home for the last five games of the season starting Friday Night June 10. Kickoff is 7:05pm CST and all graduates get an upper bowl ticket for $ 5.
United Indoor Football Association Stories from May 30, 2005
- Freedom improve to 9-0, Fricker's players of the week announced - Fort Wayne Freedom
- Rough Riders send Bluecats to first home loss - Peoria Rough Riders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
