Twisters Get Big Win
Published on May 10, 2003 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release
Ricky Hebert had 3 touchdown passes and Reggie Cooley added a safety and three scores of his own as the Arkansas Twisters defeated the Memphis Xplorers 50-42 Saturday night at the Alltel Arena, evening the Twisters record to 3-3.
For the game, Hebert completed 20 of 37 passes for 189 yards to go with the 3 scores, and Cooley rushed 5 times for 59 yards to go with his 3 TD's. Mark Norris was a perfect 6-for-6 on extra points, and split the uprights from 39 and 30 yards respectively to preserve the Twister victory.
The Twisters got on the board first, as Arkansas took the opening kickoff and marched down the field, culminating in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Hebert to Anthony Eubanks. Mark Norris' extra point gave Arkansas a 7-0 lead.
Memphis came right back, as Rod Robinson hit Kevin Prentiss with a 21 yard touchdown pass. Kicker Steven Green missed a 2-point dropkick attempt on the point after, and Arkansas led 7-6.
In the second quarter, Hebert struck again, this time on a crucial fourth down. Hebert fired a pass complete to Ted Alford to extend the Arkansas lead to 14-6.
Memphis would then score twice after that, as Robinson ran one in from 6 yards out, and connected with Adrian Burnette on another. Steven Green added two-point dropkicks on each PAT, so the Xplorers took the lead at 22-14.
Then, just as time expired in the first half, Mark Norris split the uprights on a 39-yard field goal to cut the Memphis lead to 22-17 at the half.
In the third quarter, Arkansas' defense took over, as Reggie Cooley sacked Memphis QB Rod Robinson in the end zone for a safety to make it a 22-19 Memphis advantage.
Cooley would then strike again, punching it in from 6 yards out to give Arkansas the lead again at 26-22.
On the ensuing Memphis possession, Bruce Bailey intercepted a Robinson pass and returned it back to the 1-yard line. One play later, Reggie Cooley broke the plain again to give Arkansas an 11-point lead at 33-22.
With all of the momentum going Arkansas' way, the defense forced a 4th down field goal attempt. Kicker Steven Green faked it, and Arkansas was able to prevent the first down and take over the ball once again.
Ricky Hebert and Anthony Eubanks would hit paydirt one more time after that, connecting from 19 yards out to extend the Twister advantage to 40-22.
However, Memphis would not go away quietly. Rod Robinson converted a touchdown from 3 yards out with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter to cut the Arkansas lead to 40-30 at the end of three frames.
Then, on the ensuing Arkansas possession, Adrian Burnette picked off a Ricky Hebert offering, and gave Memphis life once again. However, a huge 3rd down play saw the Twisters defense get an 18-yard loss on Robinson, resulting in a missed field goal.
Mark Norris would then add to the Twister advantage once more, connecting on a 30 yard field goal with 5:48 left on the clock.
Trailing 43-30, Memphis came right back with a pair of scores, both 16 yard Robinson connections with Kevin Prentiss. However, on both PAT tries, Steven Green missed dropkick attempts, resulting in Arkansas maintaining a slim lead at 43-42.
Then, as the Twisters recovered an onside kick attempt, Reggie Cooley found the end zone again for a third time, punching it in from 4 yards out to seal the deal for Arkansas, and improve the Twisters record to 3-3 on the year. Memphis falls to 1-5.
The Twisters travel to Bakersfield to take on the Blitz next week, and the game will be televised live on PAX 20/49. Kickoff is set for 9:00 central time.
Indoor Football League Stories from May 10, 2003
- Twisters Get Big Win - Arkansas Diamonds
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