Storm Host Oilers in Week Eight Matchup
Published on May 5, 2023 under Indoor Football League (IFL) News Release
Tulsa Oilers Football, proud member of the IFL, travel to South Dakota to meet the Storm for the first time this season on May 6.
LAST TIME OUT
The Oilers hosted their first Western Conference opponent at home in the BOK Center in the likes of the Arizona Rattlers. Arizona entered the game with one of the more productive offenses in the league while Tulsa was coming off their first win in franchise history. Both teams scored a touchdown on their opening drive, Tulsa's coming from a 15-yard run from QB Vincent Espinoza, the Oilers would miss their extra-point to have the game open up 7-6 Rattlers. The Rattlers took a 23-6 lead but the Oilers responded with back-to-back touchdowns from Damion May via a 19-yard reception and Joshua Crockett on a 31-yard reception to bring the score to 23-20 Arizona. The Rattlers would end the first half with the final score, making it 30-20 at the end of two. Tulsa began the second half with the first 10 points, another touchdown from Crockett and a 47-yard field goal from Jeremy Reynolds, tying the game 30-30 with 7:45 left in the third quarter. After Arizona took a 36-30 lead, new Oiler RB Jo-El Shaw scored his first touchdown with the team on a 13-yard reception to help give the Oilers their first lead of the game, 37-36 with 2:16 remaining in the third. Another field goal by Reynolds and a third receiving touchdown by Crockett aided in a back-and-forth effort during the fourth quarter, leading to the final moment of the game. Arizona would award themselves a game ending pick six with 0:04 left in the game to end the contest with a final score of 53-46 Rattlers. Tulsa fell to 0-2 at home and 1-4 on the season.
FOCUS AHEAD
Tulsa played well enough to win the game against Arizona just a week ago, however, reality is what dictates, and the Oilers now look to bounce back from their toughest loss of the season. Tensions run high in this sport and the Oilers will need to make sure that the time between whistles is taken care of diligently. Head Coach Marvin Jones has relentlessly emphasized the importance of staying disciplined during and especially after plays, and this kind of focus can prove to be the difference if Tulsa finds itself in another close game. Tulsa will enter the stage having already played three road games, this being their fourth, the routine is second nature and the Oilers are looking to establish their first win streak statistic. With a win in Sioux Falls, Tulsa would have their first road win streak of the season. Joshua Crockett has been Tulsa's best playmaker and arguably the most impactful player on the team. His success cannot stagnate this upcoming week. "I am just blessed for the opportunity to play the game I love, I give a lot of credit to my coaches and teammates for trusting me to make plays when my number is called," said Crockett in regard to his Week Seven performance. "There is always room to improve, we have grown over these past few weeks and we are focused on the small details ahead, we believe things will turn around."
HOW TO "CALM" THE STORM
Tulsa will face a fierce run attack from Sioux Falls, who has produced the majority of their first downs on the ground this season (45). They average 3.65 yards per rush and have collected 417 yards on the ground throughout the season. As strong as they have been, the Storm have a weakness, turnovers...Sioux Falls has thrown 11 interceptions and fumbled three times this season, proving to be vulnerable at times in this regard, they have yet to go a game without a turnover of either an interception or fumble this year and so Tulsa will need to do their best to continue that trend and win the turnover battle.
Indoor Football League Stories from May 5, 2023
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