Silverbacks Losing Streak Continues to 16
April 5, 2010 - Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Dayton Silverbacks News Release
It has been nearly two years since the Miami Valley Silverbacks have won a game, a streak the traveling team nearly ended with they hope will be the longest of the 10 they have to take this season.
Instead, a long night and a slow start resulted in a 38-32 loss to the Wisconsin Wolfpack (1-0) at Hartmeyer Arena in Madison.
The Silverbacks overcame a broken-down bus that caused the team to arrive in Wisconsin 12 hours later than expected and an 18-6 halftime deficit to lead, 26-25 with 11 minutes remaining, but two late Wisconsin touchdowns pushed the Silverbacks losing streak to 16 games.
"I thought we had it," said head coach Brian Wells. "We had a nice momentum switch. We've just got to learn how not to make mistakes, but considering all we been through the last couple weeks with the turnover in the coaching staff and not getting any sleep, these guys laid it all out on the line. I've very proud of them."
Wisconsin took advantage of the sluggish Silverbacks to lead 12-0 on two Brian Ryczkowski touchdown passes in the first quarter, although Wells felt Miami Valley could have stayed even with the Wolfpack if not for a fumble at the one-yard line and a couple of close calls on passes to the end zone.
"We had two TDs that were called incomplete," Wells said. "I'm going to watch the film and check it out. They said he trapped the ball against the wall. I didn't see that."
The Silverbacks finally broke through in the final minute of the half when Shaun Kirby hit Derrick Moss for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 12-6.
A long kick return set the Wolfpack up deep in Silverbacks territory, however, and Eric Donoval capitalized with the first of three touchdown runs to put Wisconsin back ahead by 12, 18-6, at halftime.
The teams traded touchdowns to open the second half before the defense stiffened to key a run of 14 straight points that put Miami Valley ahead, 26-25.
"Our defense played really well," Wells said. "We applied pressure, our DBs played really well and we had a couple of interceptions and two or three sacks. I was proud of the way our defense played tonight. The only thing is I'd like to see us stop the run. We need to tackle better."
After Kirby hit Kyenes Mincy for a touchdown late in the third quarter, Ray Huff's safety early in the fourth made the score 25-20. Kirby followed by finding Stover in the end zone to give Miami Valley its only lead of the game.
Wisconsin answered with Donaval's third touchdown run of the game, then extended the lead when backup quarterback Shane Adler found Calvin Thomas for a touchdown with 8:25 remaining.
Kirby scrambled 19 yards through the Wisconsin defense to get Miami Valley back to within six, 38-32, and the defense stopped Wisconsin on downs to give the Silverbacks a chance to end their losing streak.
Mark Mashburn intercepted a pass on fourth down, however, clinching the win for the Wolfpack.
"We were down in the red zone a lot, but we've got to learn to finish and leave no doubt about it," Wells said.
That left the Silverbacks still looking for their first win since a 35-29 win against the Fort Wayne Freedom May 2, 2008. While Miami Valley will be playing a different franchise in the FireHawks next Saturday, Wells said he sees the fact his team is playing Fort Wayne once again as a good sign.
"We're going to get there," Wells said. "The last time we beat a team was two years ago against Fort Wayne. Hopefully we'll be able to do it there again."
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Continental Indoor Football League Stories from April 5, 2010
- Silverbacks Losing Streak Continues to 16 - Dayton Silverbacks
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