Sports stats



Titans edge out Axemen 39-36

April 19, 2015 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Minnesota Axemen News Release


Bemidji, Minn. (Shooting Star Casino Field at the Sanford Center)- The Cedar Rapids Titans came out on top of a back forth game versus the Bemidji Axemen 39-36. This game between the two rivals followed the same path as the other matchups between the two teams as the Titans pulled out another win in a close game.Cedar Rapids put up 245 total offensive yards, 43 rushing and 172 passing, while their first ranked defense forced two interceptions and only obtained one sack. The Titans were led in passing by Sam Durley who was 15-26 for 172 yards and four passing touchdowns. The leading rusher was Washaun Ealey who rushed for 38 yards on nine attempts and scored one touchdown on a 14-yard rush in the third quarter. Willie Carter led Cedar Rapids in receiving by bringing in eight receptions for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Demetruce McNeal had 146 all-purpose yards, 127 from kickoff returns and 19 from an interception. Tyree Robinson led the defense with nine tackles. The Titans allowed the Axemen to stay in the game by extending drives with penalties such as an unsportsmanlike conduct when a player threw a flag back at the referee on a crucial third down play. The Titans were flagged eight times for 75 yards.

Cedar Rapids improves to 5-2 as they start to pull away from the United Conference but still trail Sioux Falls by two games. Next week the Titans return to Cedar Rapids as they host the Green Bay Blizzard.The Bemidji offense put up an impressive 245 total offensive yards against the top defense in the IFL. The balance attack saw the Axemen rush for 82 yards and pass for 163. The offensive line only allowed one sack versus the top pass rushing defense in the league. The offense also produced 21 first downs and had a possession time of 32:47. The defense only allowed 43 rushing yards and forced one interception. Ryan Balentine started at quarterback for the Axemen and went 15-26 for 164 passing yards and one touchdown. Balentine also led the team in rushing with 69 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Jarboe brought in nine receptions for 125 receiving yards, including a 32-yard reception, and one touchdown. Kicker Zach Pulkinen made a season long 40-yard field goal at the beginning of the second quarter. In his second game as an Axemen, defensive back Antoine Tharpe led the defense with 5.5 tackles that included a tackle for a loss.

Bemidji falls to 2-5 and sits in last place in the United Conference. The Axemen will head to Nebraska next week as they take on the Danger on Friday at 7:00 p.m.



Indoor Football League Stories from April 19, 2015


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.

Other Recent Minnesota Axemen Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central