Talons Rip the Stealth
June 2, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
Former Iowa Barnstormer Mitch Allner led Tulsa (7-1) to a 63-29 victory over the Wichita Stealth at the Tulsa Convention Center Saturday night. The Talons overcame a 29-28 halftime deficit by scoring 35 second-half points while holding the Wichita offense scoreless in the second half. With the loss, Wichita falls to 2-7 and is now only a half game ahead of Louisville for the final Midwest Division playoff spot. The Stealth head back to Wichita for a two game home stand versus the Fresno Frenzy (3-6) and a huge match-up with Midwest Division rival, the Louisville Fire (1-7).
Tulsa Offensive Specialist Mitch Allner, led the Talons with three kickoff returns for 118 yards and two touchdowns which earned him Game MVP honors. Coming into tonight's game, Allner was tied for the af2 lead in kickoff returns for touchdowns with three.
The Stealth quickly jumped out of the gates with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Ron Lopez to Wide Receiver/Linebacker Greg Kyler giving them a 6-0 lead after the failed extra point attempt. On the ensuing Tulsa drive, Quarterback Anthony Buich was intercepted deep in Wichita territory by Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Xavier Patterson ending the Tulsa scoring threat. Two plays later, Lopez found Patterson for a 41-yard touchdown pass giving the Stealth a 13-0 lead. On the following kickoff, Allner would open up the Tulsa scoring with a 56-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, making the score 13-7. Wichita would increase the lead to 20-7, until right before the end of the first quarter when Buich hooked up with Tulsa Wide Receiver/Defensive Back Kevin Nickerson for a 44-yard touchdown pass making it 20-14 at the end of the quarter. Wichita opened up the second quarter with a 16-yard pass from Lopez to Offensive/Defensive Lineman Bryan Henderson giving the Stealth a 26-14 lead. Tulsa struck back with two touchdowns before Wichita ended the half with a 34-yard field goal by Kicker Jason Corse, giving the Stealth a 29-28 halftime lead.
It would not take Tulsa long to rebound from the halftime deficit as Allner returned the opening kickoff of the half 55 yards for a touchdown to give the Talons a 35-29 lead that they would never relinquish. Allner would later add a 36-yard touchdown reception to give him a total of four touchdowns on the night (two receiving and two kickoff returns).
The Stealth will return home next week, June 8th, to take on the Fresno Frenzy, who beat the Stealth in Fresno on May 11th, 61-52. That game is Arby's guaranteed win night with the Stealth. When the Stealth win, fans can take their ticket stub to Arby's and receive a free roast beef sandwich. Tickets are on sale now, get yours by calling Select-a-Seat at 316-755-3307.
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