Twisters Finish Regular Season with Emotional Win
July 26, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release
(North Little Rock, AR) - Vinnie Olson put his arms up in the air after scoring his first rushing touchdown in his career late in the fourth quarter against Texas. The Arkansas Twisters team came out to congratulate their teammate who lost his father just 18 hours before the game.
The Twisters finished off the regular season by defeating Texas 78-26 in front of 6212 fans at Alltel Arena, just a week before hosting the first round of the af2 Playoffs.
Olson's father collapsed and passed away in Little Rock on Friday. His family had arrived to watch Vinnie play. Olson decided to go ahead and play the game with his mother and grandmother in the stands watching. With the game decided, Head Coach Chris Siegfried moved Olson to fullback and the offensive lineman scored from the one yard line. Olson pointed to the sky, and made his way to the bench as his teammates came out to greet him.
Arkansas didn't start the game with the same emotion as it finished. Texas led 3-0 when Twisters quarterback Kyle Rowley threw an interception on the team's opening drive. Texas cashed in the opportunity when Ervin Dickerson caught an 18 yard pass from Steve Wasil and the extra point put Texas up 10-0.
Rowley and the Twisters offense quickly struck for six when Denney caught a 14 yard pass and the extra point pulled Arkansas within 10-7.
The Twisters rolled the dice and recovered an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff. Denney caught another touchdown from Rowley and the extra point gave the Twisters its first lead of the game at 14-10.
Siegfried tried another onside kick, but the Copperheads recovered. Texas quickly scored when Tim Riley caught an eight yard pass from Wasil. The extra point put Texas up 17-14.
Arkansas outscored Texas 63-9 the rest of the way, including 42 unanswered points in the second half.
Kyle Rowley finished the game by completing 23 of 38 passes for 291 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. He finishes the season with 89 touchdowns for a new Twisters season record. Denney hauled in seven catches for 94 yards and three touchdowns. He finishes the year with 1505 receiving yards, 44 touchdown receptions and 274 points; all Twisters records. Newcomer Nick Allison finished with 5.0 tackles, an interception, and three pass breakups.
Wasil completed 15 of 37 passes for 158 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
The Twisters open the 2008 ArenaCup Playoff on Sunday, August 3rd at 5pm at Alltel Arena against either Central Valley or Lubbock.
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