Steamwheelers drop fourth straight, fall 56-49 to Oklahoma City

May 29, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release


DAVENPORT, Iowa - The Quad City Steamwheelers fell in yet another heartbreaker on Saturday night, suffering a disappointing 56-49 loss to the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz in front of 5,244 fans at OS Field at The MARK of the Quad Cities. For the fifth straight game, everything was decided in the final minute, but for the fourth consecutive time, the 'Wheelers were unable to come out on top in the end.

Sam Clemons threw for 289 yards and five scores, all to different receivers, but it was not enough to knock off the Yard Dawgz (4-4) and quarterback Craig Strickland who threw for 317 yards and six scores, including a game-winning 35-yard strike to Al Hunt with 28 seconds left to give his team the lead for good.

Jack Walker Jr. led all receivers with 12 catches while his 115 yards was a team-high. He was on the receiving end of a 24-yard strike from Clemons with 49 seconds left that, following Nick Gatto's extra point, tied the game at 49-49 before Hunt scored the game-winner for the visitors.

Quad City had a 24-19 halftime lead but quickly saw that disintegrate as Oklahoma City scored the first 10 points of the third quarter on a Brandon Daniels touchdown reception and a Jason Ball field goal to take a 29-24 advantage. Gatto answered with a field goal of his own to make the score 29-27 heading into the fourth.

With the defenses dominating the proceedings in the first three quarters, it was time for the offenses to take over. Eric Butler and Travis Burns traded scores early in the fourth before Strickland hit Jarrail Jackson for the second time on the night, making the score 42-34 with 5:21 left. However, Ball's extra point was wide left, keeping the lead at eight and giving the 'Wheelers a chance to tie the game. They would do just that on the very next play as Clemons hit Tim Dodge with 41-yard strike down the sideline, making the score 42-40. The same duo hooked up again on the two-point conversion to tie the score and set the stage for the dramatic final two minutes. The Steamwheelers are back in action at home next Saturday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. when they take on the Louisville Fire at OS Field at The MARK of the Quad Cities. Tickets for this game and all other Steamwheeler home games on sale now. To purchase season and group tickets or for more information about the Steamwheelers, call the Steamwheelers office at (563) 324-4888 or toll free at 1-866-STEAMTIX. For single game tickets please call or visit The MARK of the Quad Cities box office or any TicketMaster location.

Offensive Player of the Game: Jarrail Jackson (OKC) ADT Defensive Player of the Game: John Culp (QC) U.S. Army Ironman of the Game: Tim Dodge (QC)



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