Shockwave take roar out of Lynx
April 1, 2007 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
San Diego Shockwave News Release
RB Ali Culpepper ran for three touchdowns and QB Roman Ybarra threw for two more as the San Diego Shockwave totally dominated the Los Angeles Lynx 56 - 9 before an opening night crowd of 4,133 at Cox Arena Saturday night.
This was the inaugural game for both NIFL expansion teams.
The Shockwave controlled things from the opening kickoff, stopping the Lynx on their first possession. Culpepper then scored the first touchdown in franchise history at the 9:07 mark of the 1st quarter when he lumbered 8 yards to make it 6 - 0. Newly signed kicker John Matich added the PAT. The halftime score was 28 - 0.
Coach Montra Edwards' Shockwave defense excelled, constantly hurrying Lynx QB Michael Shea while punishing his receivers all night. Newly signed DL Andre Reed harassed Shea on nearly every play and LB Rico Curtis punctuated the defenses' standout play with a 5 yard fumble return in the 4th quarter making the score 49 - 3.
On the ensuing kickoff, with the game out of reach, the Lynx's Rashaun Reed ran the kickoff back 53 yards for a TD. The PAT failed.
WR Nakoa McElrath closed out the scoring at the 14:49 mark of the 4th quarter with a TD pass from backup QB Matt Pound.
Culpepper, who scored all three touchdowns in the first half, finished with 12 rushes for 44 yards and 3 TD's. Ybarra finished 10 - 20 for 71 yards and 2 TD's and 1 interception. Shockwave WR's all enjoyed good games. Nakoa McElrath and Deondre Alexander had multiple catches, each scoring once. Michael Pittman and local product (Southwestern College) Desmond Benson also had several receptions.
The 1 - 0 Shockwave face a big test on the road next Saturday against a tough opponent, the Wyoming Cavalry, in Casper, Wyoming. The 1 - 0 Cavalry are coming off their first win of the season, a 68 - 29 lopsided victory over the Denver Aviators.
The win was also the first for new Head Coach Bob Bees who stated, "It was good win and we're happy with it but we have lots of work to do. We were sloppy at times and while we're a good team, we're going to take this and build on it."
Added Curtis, who came out of retirement after a two year absence said, "We had them stopped pretty much all night long. The only touchdown they scored was on a kick-off return."
The Shockwave return home on Saturday, April 14th at 7:05 p.m. at Cox Arena against the Beaumont (Tx.) Drillers. Tickets remain on sale for this and other home games through Ticketmaster outlets, the Cox Arena box office, by going to www.sandiegoshockwave.com; or calling 877.SHOCWAV (877.746.2928).
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National Indoor Football League Stories from April 1, 2007
- Shockwave take roar out of Lynx - San Diego Shockwave
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