Sugar Skulls Win Opener on Road in San Diego
Published on April 4, 2023 under Indoor Football League (IFL) News Release
The Tucson Sugar Skulls got off to a strong start in their season-opener on the road in San Diego at Pechanga Arena.
Tucson has won 3 of 4 season openers dating back to the 2019 season, and this is the second straight season they've won on the road to open the season after defeating Vegas last season to start the year.
Ramone Atkins had a productive Tucson debut, going 14/21 on pass attempts with 3 total touchdowns (2 passing, 1 rushing).
The Skulls got off to a hot start led off by the longest-tenured Sugar Skull Mike Jones opening the scoring with a 1-yard rush to jump ahead 7-0. They then got a turnover followed by a score from Darian Patterson off a Ramone Atkins toss to jump out to a 14-0 lead early.
Tucson's defense was impactful throughout this game, forcing multiple turnovers and getting stops to shift momentum early on. Rashie Hodge had one of Tucson's two interceptions.
After a dominant first half, the Skulls struggled offensively in the third quarter as they failed to score a single point in the quarter. Despite the scoring drought, the defense kept the Strike Force at bay and were able to hold them off following a much-needed rushing touchdown from Ramone Atkins with 5:30 remaining in the 4th quarter giving Tucson a 35-16 lead that they would never relinquish.
Indoor Football League Stories from April 4, 2023
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- Barnstormers Sign Defensive Lineman - Iowa Barnstormers
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- Sugar Skulls Win Opener on Road in San Diego - IFL
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