Steamwheelers Fight to 36-29 Win Over Battle Wings in Home Opener
Published on April 17, 2005 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
MOLINE, Ill. - The Quad City Steamwheelers picked up their first win of the 2005 season on Saturday night with a hard-fought 36-29 triumph over the Bossier/Shreveport Battle Wings at in front of 5,216 fans at OS Field at The MARK of the Quad Cities.
Sam Clemons threw five touchdowns, Nick Gatto had a clutch 39-yard field goal and Matt Forbes had a pair of immense fourth quarter interceptions to seal the game and give the Steamwheelers their first win of the 2005 campaign. After being held scoreless in the second half of the season opener against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last weekend, the Steamwheelers put up a second half shutout of the Battle Wings in their home opener to earn the win.
However, it was nearly not to be for Quad City as it trailed 29-27 at the halftime break. The Battle Wings got huge contributions from Offensive Specialist Bo Smith who had eight catches for 155 yards and five scores including four in the first half. But Forbes and the rest of the 'Wheeler defensive backs shut Smith down in the fourth quarter, taking away Bossier/Shreveport's lone offensive weapon.
Forbes picked off a passes intended for Smith on each of the Battle Wings' final two possessions to keep the Quad City in front and allow them to hold on for the win. Following the first interception, Gatto, who had missed a pair of field goals as well as two extra points, drilled a 39-yard field goal to stretch the 'Wheeler lead to seven points. The kick was Gatto's first made field goal of the year and would be the final scoring on the night for either team.
Torey Morris had seven catches for 65 yards and two scores to lead Quad City, but it was a touchdown by Jack Walker, Jr. with 3:46 left in the third quarter that put the 'Wheelers ahead for good. He started the drive by pulling in a 30-yard toss from Clemons down the sideline before completing it with a short pass over the middle for his second score of the game, putting his team in front for good at 33-29.
A.J. Novak had Quad City's only other on the night when he pulled in a 8-yard strike from Clemons early in the opening quarter. That was the first of five touchdown passes for Clemons, who was making his first start as a Steamwheeler. He finished the night with 253 yards on 19-of-33 passing and just one interception.
The Steamwheelers return to action next Saturday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m., when they travel to Oklahoma City to face the Yard Dawgz for the first time in team history. They will return home seven days, on Saturday, April 30 at 7:30 later when they host the 3-0 Memphis Xplorers 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: Bo Smith (BOS)
ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Matt Forbes (QCS)
U.S. Army Ironman of the Game: Jack Walker, Jr. (QCS)
- STEAMWHEELERS FOOTBALL -
A.J. Novak on his touchdown grab: "It felt good and I think that it got everybody rolling in the right direction." On playing his first home game with the Steamwheelers: "It was real nice. The fans were good, they got into it and that got everybody else into it."
Nick Gatto on his game-clinching field goal: "Awesome, just awesome. I was having an up-and-down night until that point but to make that kick at the end to help seal the deal felt really good for me."
Matt Forbes on his two interceptions: "I was guessing on the stack because they ran it before and I was hoping that they would again. They did and I just went up and got it." On the defensive adjustments to stop Bo Smith in the second half: "I knew we could do it, we just needed to get on the same page and once we did everything worked out."
Coach Frazier on his first win with the Steamwheelers: "It's huge. There is no doubt who the player of the game was, Matt (Forbes) had a great game, but you also give a lot of credit to the defensive line for keeping (Bossier QB Caleb Slover) running around like a chicken with his head cut off. The offense did enough to win and Gatto's kick at the end was huge."
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- Steamwheelers Fight to 36-29 Win Over Battle Wings in Home Opener - Quad City Steamwheelers
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