Ruff Riders Two-Game Winning Streak Snapped In Wichita
May 4, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Abilene Ruff Riders News Release
ABILENE, TX: The Abilene Ruff Riders (3-2) dropped a tough ball game on the road to the Wichita Wild (2-4) on Saturday, May 2, 49-33. The Ruff Riders trailed at halftime, 20-13, but a second half surge was not enough to get Abilene out of Wichita with a victory. In the first quarter, Wichita struck first with a 12-yard touchdown run by running back Darius Fudge giving the Wild a 7-0 lead. Abilene's offense struggled to convert on fourth downs and take advantage of good field position in the first quarter. However, the Ruff Riders defense got a big stop when LB Rico Brooks intercepted Wild quarterback Alex Melugin inside the Abilene 17 yard line. The offense however did not take advantage once again as they were stopped on fourth down when QB Quincy Carter could not connect with WR Mike Carrillo inside the Wild 13 yard line.
In the second quarter, the Abilene offense finally got on the board when Carter found Fred Howze for a 14-yard touchdown reception. On the following Abilene offensive series, Carter hooked up with WR Juan Reese on a 41-yard touchdown reception coming on the second play of the drive. The Wild lead was then cut to 13-12 following a blocked extra point. The Wild continued to attack the Abilene secondary as Alex Melugin found WR Clinton Solomon for a 13-yard touchdown pass to give Wichita a 20-12 halftime lead.
Abilene came out strong in the second half to tie the game at 20 when Quincy Carter found Juan Reese on a nine yard touchdown pass. Abilene would tack on a two-point conversion following the score. The tie would not last for long as Alex Melugin hit WR Carlos Cavanaugh for a 27-yard touchdown strike to give the Wild a 26-20 lead following a missed extra point attempt. From that point on the Wichita Wild scored 12 unanswered points in the third quarter and never looked back in the fourth, winning the ball game 49-33.
The Abilene defense struggled to contain the Wild offense as Wichita put up 49 points, the second most Abilene has allowed all season. Quincy Carter finished 16 of 40 for 227 yards passing and five touchdown passes. Carter was also intercepted twice in the game. Wide out Juan Reese led the Ruff Riders with seven receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Abilene remains on the road this week to face the El Paso Generals from the El Paso County Coliseum. The game versus the El Paso Generals will be a first place showdown in the Lone Star Division. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 and further information regarding these topics can be obtained by contacting the Abilene Ruff Riders front office at (325) 677 - PASS (7277) or by visiting the official website of the Abilene Ruff Riders at www.abileneruffriders.com.
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