NIFL Sioux Falls Storm

Storm Dominates Utah 62-37, Extends Winning Streak to 8 Games

Published on June 1, 2004 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Sioux Falls Storm News Release


Sioux Falls, SD—With numerous tornado warnings hitting the Sioux Falls area on Saturday night, the Sioux Falls Storm weathered the Storm inside the Sioux Falls Arena and came away with a dominating 62-37 victory over the 5-6 Utah Warriors. The win extended the Storm's winning streak to 8 straight games and 14 straight wins at the Sioux Falls Arena extending back to the 2002 season.

Cole Cooper started at quarterback for Utah replacing Doug Smith who missed the trip because of a separated shoulder suffered last week. Cooper started strong, going 3 for 3 on the opening drive, including a 19 yard touchdown strike to Mike Rigell. The Storm came back and got on the board with a 19 yard field goal by Adam Hicks. On the next Utah possession, Cooper was intercepted by the Storm's strong safety, Mark Blackburn. That led to a Jose Fuentes to Casey Veenhof touchdown, giving the Storm the 10-7 lead they would never give up. Veenhof finished the first half with three touchdowns, one coming from Storm back-up QB Ryan Williams who was brought in on goal line situations to add even more threat to the Storm's offense. Williams ended the game throwing one touchdown, rushing for 3 touchdowns and catching one ball for 28 yards.

The Storm's defense held the Warriors from scoring on their next four possessions in the first half while Utah only stopped Sioux Falls once, a muffed field goal. In that stretch the Storm built the lead to 27-7, but Utah kicker, Pete Garces kicked a 38 yard field goal as time expired on the first half to cut the lead to 17.

In the second half, Williams scored 3 of his 4 touchdowns, running back Justin Bivins scored on a 1 yard run and wide receiver Matt Holmlund caught the "touchdown of the year", a one-handed 31 yard pass from Fuentes as he rammed into the boards.

Justin Bivins led the Strom rushing attack with 84 yards and scoring once. Fuentes ended 19 of 23 for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions. Williams finished with four carries for 15 yards and three touchdowns, plus one reception for 28 yards and the one touchdown passing.

Defensively, the Storm was led by linebacker Joe Evenson. Evenson ended with 12 tackles including 1 sack and two tackles for loss. Saftey, Mark Blackburn excited the crowd again with his level of play and hard hitting. Blackburn finished with 6 tackles and a huge interception in the first half. Free safety Bobby Perkins came away with 2 interceptions as the Storm defense held the Warriors to 177 yards of total offense.

The Storm takes their 8-2 record across the state and they head to Rapid City to take on the 3-7 Black Hills Red Dogs. The Storm currently "control their own destiny", with taking four more wins to end the season, the Storm would be the #1 seed in the Pacific Conference and possibly host all three playoff games, including the NIFL Championship.

The next Storm home game is Saturday, June 19 at 7:05pm for "Father's Day Football Night" when the Omaha Beef enter Sioux Falls. The first 1,500 men through the doors of the Sioux Falls Arena will receive a Storm hat. For more information please contact the Storm office at 605-332-4225 or visit the Storm's website at www.siouxfallsstorm.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



National Indoor Football League Stories from June 1, 2004


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.

OurSports Central