Tulsa Oilers Game One Review
Published on April 4, 2023 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
Tulsa, Okla. - Tulsa Oilers Football, proud member of the IFL, focuses on utilizing a bye week in week three of the IFL schedule to prepare for a road game against the Duke City Gladiators on April 8.
Despite a 35-13 loss on the road to the Frisco Fighters on March 24, the Oilers finally put the final piece of the puzzle together, getting on the field and playing their first game in franchise history. Tulsa fans had a chance to see the start of the journey of year one in the league, and with a bye week concluded, the coaching staff has had a chance to evaluate how to improve.
Frisco put up an impressive 76 points in their week one performance against the Green Bay Blizzard, as Tulsa held TJ Edwards and the high-powered Fighters offense to just 29 points from scrimmage and 35 points in their season opener. The Oilers were led defensively by *Jordan Jones* with nine tackles and *Taylor Hawkins* with two pass breakups. Jones and Hawkins are plenty familiar with the way head coach and defensive coordinator *Marvin Jones* approaches the game, having both played for him in the CIF with Omaha.
*"It felt good to be back on the field,"* said Hawkins in reference to his familiarity with being coached under Jones. *"I know what he is capable of, to put us in a position to win."*
Historic moments piled up on March. 24, and that was to be expected. An early moment in the fashion of a 23-yard field goal by Oilers kicker *Jeremy Reynolds* with 6:38 left in the first quarter to record the first points in Tulsa's franchise history.
*"It was an honor to score the first points in Oilers' history, but I wasn't even really thinking about it," *said Reynolds in reference to his first-quarter field goal.* "We just have to get our timing down a little bit." *
Reynolds and the kicking unit went 2-5 in field goal attempts and will be looking to make adjustments in building chemistry going into game number two.
The Oilers' offense hit its peak on opening night with a 31-yard pass over the middle from *Giovanni Sanders* to* Joshua Crokett* for the score, bringing the Oilers within a score of 25-13 with 6:52 left in the third quarter, giving Tulsa their first touchdown in franchise history.
*"Very special moment, as you can see it brings a smile to my face...to be able to get the first touchdown in Oilers history and to share it with these guys is a great experience,"* said Crockett in response to scoring the first touchdown of the season. Crockett led all receivers in the game with 57 yards.
Tulsa takes on a Duke City team who has had an impressive start offensively, beating the defending champs in the likes of Northern Arizona 43-35 and putting up a ton of points in a 60-55 loss to Frisco last weekend. The Oilers' defense has proven to be sharp early after one game and will be tested on the road against the Gladiators.
The Oilers will continue their inaugural season on the road, on April 8, against the Duke City Gladiators. Tulsa will play its first home game in franchise history at the BOK Center, on April 15 against the Quad City Steamwheelers.
Tulsa Oilers Football Season and Group Tickets are on sale now! Call the front office at 918-632-7825 or visit www.tulsaoilersfootball.com for more information.
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