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Turnovers Doom Command in Loss

July 10, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Kansas City Command News Release


Des Moines, IA - The Kansas City Command gave up five turnovers and lost to the Iowa Barnstormers 48-40 Saturday night in front of 8.347 fans at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. The loss dropped the Command's record to 5-11 and eliminated them from the playoff race in the National Conference.

The Command had the ball with a chance to tie the game in the final minute but quarterback Stephen Wasil's second interception of the night ended the rally and preserved victory for Iowa.

"We obviously didn't play the way we were capable," coach Danton Barto said. "But we fought back and had a chance to tie the game."

Both squads struggled offensively to start the game. Each team threw an interception and had a turnover on downs their first two possessions. Iowa then got things going, scoring on four straight possessions to end the half. The Command scored on two straight possessions before a major turning point in the game. After the Barnstormers scored to take a 14-13 lead in the second quarter, Rashad Barksdale fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Iowa went 11 yards in three plays and never trailed again.

The Barnstormers also managed to score last in the first half, a major advantage since they were receiving the second half kickoff. Iowa scored on their first possession of the second half to extend their lead to 35-19.

Iowa had several opportunities to put the game away but stalled offensively allowing Kansas City to stay within striking distance. Down 42-26, the Command lost a fumble and turned the ball over on downs on back-to-back possessions, but the Barnstormers wasted those opportunities, missing a field goal and throwing an interception . When Wasil found Steven Savoy for a touchdown and then Bubby Gill for a two-point conversion, Kansas City was suddenly within eight points midway through the fourth quarter.

The Command defense came up big again, forcing Iowa to settle for a field goal and a 45-34 lead. Wasil then hit Savoy again for a touchdown, but this time the two-point conversion failed and KC trailed 45-40.

Another field goal from Nick Pertuit, who finished a perfect six for six on extra points and hit two of his three field goals, gave Iowa a 48-40 lead but left the door open for Kansas City to mount a game-tying drive.

The Command had the ball at their own 21-yard line with :25 seconds left when Wasil lofted a pass to Gill that went off his fingertips and into the hands of Iowa defensive back Cameron McGlenn.

"It was just one of those games where it seemed like we were fighting against ourselves," Barto said. "If you turn the ball over five times you're not going to win any game."

Wasil finished the night 21 of 38 for 255 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.

"Probably Wasil showed his youth tonight," Barto said. "We struggled those first two series. He never really got in a rhythm. I asked him a couple of times and he just said he was rushing."

Bret Smith registered 12 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown.

"Bret played well," Barto said. "He was very consistent tonight. But we really missed having a guy like Tod Devoe, that big bodied receiver who can play physical."

Devoe was placed on injured reserve prior to the game after being a key part of the Command offense since coming to Kansas City in May.

Kicker Brian Umstead struggled for the second straight game, hitting two of four PAT attempts and leaving the Command chasing those points the rest of the night.

"It's been two weeks in a row that it's really hurt us," Barto said. "Plus, not hitting the net (on kickoffs) has always been one of my big things. We're going to have to look at that position very seriously this week."

The Command are next in action Friday, July 15 at 7pm when they host the Jacksonville Sharks at Sprint Center. The Sharks lost to Dallas 75-70 Saturday night but at 13-3 have already clinched home field advantage throughout the American Conference playoffs. The Command's season finale will be Saturday, July 23 at 7pm against the Tulsa Talons.

"This franchise has gone through a lot this year," Barto said, "but hopefully these last two games we can play the way we're capable and finish strong."

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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.

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