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UIF Sioux Falls Storm

Storm can Clinch Playoff Spot with a Win over the Ice

June 1, 2007 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Sioux Falls Storm News Release


The Sioux Falls Storm of United Indoor Football (UIF) will head to Fort Collins, CO to do battle with the Colorado Ice (5-4) for the second time this season. The game on Saturday at the Budweiser Events Center will be between the top two teams in the Western Conference. It's a must win for the Ice, if they want any chance of catching the Storm for the #1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. With a victory over the Ice, the Sioux Falls Storm will clinch a playoff spot. This would be the sixth time in the seven year history of the Storm that they have qualified for the playoffs.

The Ice is 4-1 on their home turf, with the lone loss coming to the Storm. The Storm and Ice met for the very first time back on May 5 where Colorado's confidence was riding high coming off a 3-game winning streak. However, the Storm showed no mercy, winning 49-20. The game is scheduled for an 8:35pm Central kickoff. The game can be heard LIVE on 1320 KELO AM or by logging on to www.siouxfallsstorm.com and clicking on "Listen LIVE."

The Storm offense is having a terrific season, scoring the most points per game in the UIF (48.8 ppg). As good as the offense has been, nobody has had a better season than third year running back Marques Smith. Smith is on pace to rush for 807 yards, score 36 rushing touchdowns, score 38 total touchdowns, and score 228 total points this season. All would be Storm records. Smith also became the Storm's all-time leading rusher in franchise history when he surpassed former Storm running back Justin Bivins on May 19 vs. Omaha. Quarterback Terrance Bryant has led the team to the #2 ranked total offense (247.1 ypg) and #3 ranked passing offense (168.6 ypg) in the UIF. Bryant has thrown for 1,383 yards this season and has an impressive quarterback rating of 99.9. Wide receiver Allen Burrell has been a tremendous addition to the team this year. His 36 receptions for 507 yards and 10 touchdowns make him the Storm's leading receiver.

The defense has been dominant thus far allowing the fewest points (27.1 ppg) and yards (190.1 ypg) of any team in the UIF. Linebacker Mark Blackburn played lights out vs. Omaha. In a game where the offense wasn't firing on all cylinders, Blackburn and the Storm defense carried the team to victory. Blackburn earned UIF Week 9 Defensive Player of the Week honors with his 10.5 tackles and game changing interception in the third quarter. The secondary played exceptional picking off four Beef passes. Defensive back Shannon Poppinga grabbed two interceptions, which brings his season total to five. The defense also held the Beef to under 100 yards passing.

The last time the Colorado Ice was in action they defeated the Sioux City Bandits 21-12 in Fort Collins. The win ended a 2-game skid that started May 5 vs. the Storm. The Ice's offense thrives off of running the pigskin. They average 85.6 yards rushing per game, which leads the UIF, and have the leading rusher in the UIF in running back Eugene Reed. Reed has rushed for 467 yards on 105 carries this season. Colorado has struggled gaining yards through the air this season as only Sioux City has scored fewer points per game than the Ice. Quarterback Matt Guitterrez has replaced Ryan Clement as the starting quarterback. Guitterrez has a record of 1-1 in two starts and is 28 of 48 passing for 238 yards and two touchdowns in those two starts. Tim Pope is the leading receiver with 24 catches for 252 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Ice has held its own on defense this year as only the Storm has given up fewer points and yards per game this season. Linebacker Ryan Palmer leads the charge for the defense with 55 tackles, which ranks sixth in the league. The pass defense ranks #2 in the UIF and defensive back Travis Garcia has been the highlight of the secondary. Garcia leads the team in interceptions with five and leads the UIF in passes defended with 15. Defensive lineman Steve Frye leads the team in sacks tallying four.

The Storm's next opponent will be archrival Sioux City on June 9th. Sioux City will be making its second trip to the "Storm Shelter" this season. Come join the celebration as Blizzard will be celebrating his birthday. Individual tickets can be obtained by visiting the Arena Box Office or any Ticketmaster outlet, calling Ticketmaster at 334-8181, or purchasing from ticketmaster.com. Season tickets can still be acquired by calling the Storm office. Join "The Biggest Show in Town" as the Storm look for three championships in a row in 2007.



United Indoor Football Association Stories from June 1, 2007


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.

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