Roughnecks Unable To Overcome Early Deficit In 43-27 Loss To Abilene

July 6, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Abilene Ruff Riders News Release


ABILENE, TX. : In the third meeting of the season between the Odessa Roughnecks and the Abilene Ruff Riders on Saturday, July 4 the Ruff Riders defense set the stage early by producing turnovers and stalling the Roughnecks offense to just seven points in the first half. Both teams entered the weekend fighting for playoff spots in the Lone Star Division but any post-season hopes for the Roughnecks was denied after the Ruff Riders compiled a 43-27 win.

Abilene defensive back Brandon Henry began the game by intercepting quarterback Dennis Gile after Gile was looking to hook up with wide out Eric Taylor. Henry's play wasn't finished just yet after he returned the interception 25 yards for a touchdown giving Abilene the early 6-0 lead. On the ensuing possession, the Roughnecks offense was stopped on fourth down which led to a Nick Pertuit 24-yard field goal to make it 9-0. Abilene's defense would produce a second turnover after James Holland intercepted Dennis Gile inexplicably returning the pick 49 yards back for another score. Abilene soared to a 16-0 lead following the first quarter.

Odessa's defense became a big factor in the second quarter by shutting out the Ruff Riders as Odessa reached the end-zone for the first time when DeWayne Hogan ran in a seven yard touchdown run to make it 16-7 at halftime.

Odessa began the second half on a better note as the Roughnecks defense held Abilene to a missed field goal and the offense closed the gap on the Ruff Riders lead when Walter Washington scored on a one yard touchdown run to make it 16-13. Abilene got a big score from Carlos Alsup on a three yard touchdown run to extend their lead to 23-13 at the end of the third quarter.

Things broke wide open in the fourth quarter for Abilene when QB Randy Hymes, who was named the starter after Quincy Carter was unavailable, found Alsup for a four yard touchdown pass to make it 30-13. RB Bernard Payton added a 20-yard touchdown run as Randy Hymes additionally added a seven yard touchdown run to give Abilene their largest lead of the game.

Odessa attempted a late comeback after Jason Johnson came in for Dennis Gile to run for a 12-yard touchdown run and hook up with WR Jimmy Conner for a 25-yard touchdown pass. However, the late comeback was not enough as the Roughnecks fell to 3-10 overall with the 43-27 loss to Abilene. As stated previously, any post-season hopes for the Roughnecks was eliminated and Abilene clinched a playoff spot and likely a home playoff game for the first week of the IFL post-season.

Abilene finished the game with 174 total rushing yards receiving 72 from Carlos Alsup and one touchdown. Dennis Gile went 6-for-15 with 50 yards passing and three interceptions, however Jimmy Conner collected 188 all-purpose yards and one touchdown. Conner also surpassed the one thousand yard mark in receiving yards for the first time in his Roughnecks career. Odessa wraps up the 2009 regular season on July 11 against the Abilene Ruff Riders from the Ector County Coliseum, kickoff is scheduled for 7:11 p.m.



Indoor Football League Stories from July 6, 2009


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