Second-Half Assault Leads Commandos To Win In Season Opener

Published on March 16, 2010 under Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Cincinnati Commandos News Release


If the opening kickoff was any indication, the Cincinnati Commandos certainly went into their first season of play in the Continental Indoor Football League ready for battle.

The opening quarter of the Commandos 53-26 victory over the Miami Valley Silverbacks before 5,152 fans at the Cincinnati Gardens featured several skirmishes and personal fouls by both teams.

"I didn't enjoy the extra-curricular pushing and shoving at the beginning because this is a fan-friendly game," Commandos head coach Billy Back said. "Both teams went back and forth and felt like they had to try to prove something to each other."

The Silverbacks sprinted out the gate, taking advantage of several untimely penalties and fumbled snaps, and jumped out to a 12-0 lead early in the second quarter.

"We've got a bunch of great guards and tackles on our team, but we've got no depth at center," said Back. "They just couldn't get it down, for the simple reason that the nose guard on the other team timed our motion up and was on top of it before they could get the ball back."

Once the Commandos inserted fullback Andy Stuckert (Hanover) at center, the offense starting clicking, as they scored their first-ever touchdown with 9:43 left in the second quarter on an 18-yard pass from quarterback Ben Mauk (Cincinnati) to receiver Robert Redd (Bowling Green).

"When Andy Stuckert stepped in at center in the second quarter, it changed momentum," Back said. "His snaps were perfect. Andy stepped up big time tonight."

After Silverbacks quarterback Antonio Davis threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Stover with 40 seconds left in the first half to give Miami Valley a 26-14 lead; it was all Commandos from there on out, as Cincinnati scored 39 unanswered points to pull away.

For the game, Mauk was 11-16 passing for 111 yards and four touchdowns; including two TDs to former University of Cincinnati teammate Dominick Goodman. Redd also caught two touchdown passes, while former UC halfbacks Ray Jackson and Greg Moore combined to rush for 78 yards on 11 carries with three scores.

After a tough first half that saw the Silverbacks score 26 points, the Commandos defense made coverage adjustments at halftime and looked like a new defense, shutting out Miami Valley in the second half.

The combination of defensive line pressure and stout coverage led to three sacks and three interceptions.

"I told them that the halftime adjustment we're going to make, to the defense, we were rotating over and instead we just bumped back," said Back. "The D-line got tons of pressure."

Defensive lineman Terrill Byrd (Cincinnati), James Frazier (Middletown High School) and James Spikes (Woodward High School) record one sack each. The trio harassed Davis in the Silverback backfield all night.

Defensive backs Robbie Wilson (Miami University), Chris Respress (Defiance) and Jeff Franklin (Central State) each had interceptions. Franklin took his fourth-quarter pick to the end zone for a touchdown.

Overall, Back was pleased with his team's efforts and was especially thankful with the attendance.

"It was a great crowd - I can't say more than that. The crowd was unbelievable - 52-hundred whatever it was - it's amazing," said Back. "They told me they were going to delay the game and I said, "What now? What happened?' They said, "We've got a line out the door of about 25-hundred people.' That was great news. I went outside and greeted people and talked to them. I told them to take their time and be patient, "The game's holding up for you.'"

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Continental Indoor Football League Stories from March 16, 2010


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.

OurSports Central