Roughnecks Drop Shoot-Out To El Paso, 77-66
April 20, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
ODESSA, TX: For the third time in as many weeks, the Odessa Roughnecks faced a Lone Star Divisional opponent on Saturday, April 18 from the Ector County Coliseum. In this case, that opponent was the El Paso Generals who entered the game with a 1-1 record. It was an explosive offensive performance from both sides, however, second half adjustments defensively and turnovers were the difference in the Generals comeback victory over the Roughnecks, 77-66.
The Roughnecks had arguably their best first half performance of the season on both offense and defense. Odessa got out to a 19-13 lead in the first quarter after QB Dennis Gile registered three total touchdowns including two passing touchdowns to WR Torrey Day, one of 45 yards and another for 26 yards. Odessa continued to build on their lead in the second quarter when Gile added another rushing touchdown and a 25-yard touchdown pass to WR Jimmy Conner. Both of those Odessa scores came after interceptions from DB Darren Barnett. Odessa reached their largest lead of the game (25) after DB Michael Hinton intercepted Generals QB Tommy Jones and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown.
The Generals went on a quiet run at the end of the first half by adding a rushing touchdown from Ulysses Odom and a eight-yard touchdown reception from WR DeAngelo Woodie to make it 47-35, Odessa leading at the half. Things began on the right note for Odessa in the second half with DB Darren Barnett collecting his third interception of the game. However on the ensuing drive, QB Dennis Gile was intercepted by Generals DB Shakree Shabazz who pitched the ball to Ron Ellington in the process and Ellington returned it 16 yards for the score.
The interception was one of several tough breaks to occur for Odessa in the second half. The Generals scored 21 points in the third quarter with touchdown passes to WR Lemans Casimier and WR DeAngelo Woodie, however a 23-yard touchdown pass from Dennis Gile to WR Eric Taylor kept Odessa ahead at the end of the quarter, 60-56.
The Generals took control of the game in the fourth quarter and took their first lead of the game after Ulysses Odom caught a 25-yard touchdown pass making it 63-60, El Paso. QB Tommy Jones then found Lemans Casimier for a huge 48-yard touchdown pass with eight minutes remaining in the game to give El Paso a 10 point lead at 70-60. Roughnecks RB Tony Taylor added his second rushing touchdown of the evening with four minutes remaining to cut the lead at 70-66. However, El Paso clinched the victory with a last-minute rushing touchdown from Ulysses Odom leaving no time for Odessa to make a comeback. El Paso's ability to make adjustments in the secondary and blocked field goals and PAT's led to an impressive come-from-behind win.
Dennis Gile finished 13-of-26 for 225 yards passing and seven total touchdowns. Tommy Jones racked up 249 yards passing and eight touchdowns including four interceptions. WR DeAngelo Woodie led El Paso with seven catches for 80 yards and three touchdowns. WR Jimmy Conner had six receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown. Odessa (0-3) heads back on the road to face the Omaha Beef on Friday, April 24. El Paso (2-1) returns home to face Corpus Christi for the third time in four weeks on Saturday, April 25. Further information on these topics can be obtained by contacting the Odessa Roughnecks front office at (432) 332 - PASS (7277) or by visiting www.odessaroughnecks.com.
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Indoor Football League Stories from April 20, 2009
- Ruff Riders Comeback To Defeat Corpus, 33-27 - Abilene Ruff Riders
- Stampede Express Look To Extend Winning Streak - San Angelo Stampede Express
- Roughnecks Drop Shoot-Out To El Paso, 77-66 - West Texas Roughnecks
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