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UIF Sioux Falls Storm

Storm to Battle Beef with History On the Line

May 18, 2007 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Sioux Falls Storm News Release


The Sioux Falls Storm of United Indoor Football (UIF) will look to make professional football history when they take on the Omaha Beef (4-4) this Saturday at the Sioux Falls Arena. With a win, the Storm will become the only professional football team to ever win 28 consecutive games. Sioux Falls and Omaha last met on April 14th at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. Both teams were 3-0 and it was a showdown for 1st place in the Western Conference. The Storm proved to be the mightier by winning 61-17. Storm fans are reminded to stick around after the game as the team will be honored, if they capture win number 28. Commemorative T-shirts will be sold honoring the accomplishment. 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 tied the longest winning streak in professional football with 56-31 drubbing of the Sioux City Bandits last weekend. The Storm outscored the Bandits 23-6 in the 2nd half. The Storm coaching staff has done an incredible job this year at making halftime adjustments. In their last four contests, the Storm is giving up an average of 1.5 points in the 3rd quarter.

Storm running back Marques Smith became the Storm's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns with 42 last Saturday. Smith is now closing in on the Storm's all-time record in rushing yards, which is currently held by Justin Bivins. Only 41 yards separate Smith and Bivins. Quarterback Terrance Bryant was 16 of 25 passing for 163 yards and 4 touchdown passes. Bryant only trails Rock River's Ben Sankey in passing yards in the UIF. Wide receiver Allen Burrell had a career day hauling in 9 catches for 128 yards and 3 touchdowns. His 128 yards receiving was the most in the UIF for week 8.

The Storm defense has been putting up some dominating performances of late and currently holds the #1 ranking in points allowed and #3 spot in total defense in the UIF. Defensive back Shannon Poppinga has three interceptions on the season and team leading tackler Mark Blackburn recorded his first interception of the year last weekend vs. the Bandits. Defensive end Nate Fluit recorded another sack vs. the Bandits bringing his season total to 9.5. With eight regular season games left, Fluit only trails the UIF season sack record by six, which he holds.

The Omaha Beef is coming off a 41-28 victory over the Evansville Bluecats on Mother's Day. It was a much needed win as it snapped a four game losing streak. Omaha's offense ranks 10th in the UIF in total yardage as they are averaging 173.2 yards per game. Omaha is currently on its third starting quarterback this season. Quarterback John McMenamin was 13 of 21 for 97 yards and threw 2 touchdown passes in last week's win. Running back Jamar Day is averaging 4.4 yards per carry and wide receiver Mike Nizzi leads the team in receptions with 30.

The defense has been the strength of the Beef this season. The Beef rank #1 in the UIF at stuffing the run and have given up the least amount of yards per game with 190.9/game. Defensive back Brent Hafford leads the team in tackles with 43.5. Defensive lineman Tito Hannah trails only the Storm's Nate Fluit in sacks with 7.5. Dustin Creager has also been relentless to the ball forcing 3 and recovering 2 fumbles. Creager also has a team leading 4 interceptions.

The Storm will hit the road June 2nd for a rematch with Colorado Ice at the Budweiser Events Center in Fort Collins, CO. The Storm's next home game will be against 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.

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