Warbirds defeat Montgomery, 55-48
May 8, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Dayton Bulldogs News Release
MONTGOMERY, Ala. â Quarterback Steve Bellisari's 3-yard run to paydirt with 40 seconds remaining capped an outstanding offensive performance by the former Ohio State star as the Dayton Warbirds startled Montgomery Saturday night and defeated the Maulers, 55-48, in a National Indoor Football League game.
"We've never run like a power team before, but on this particular night we did," said head coach Matt King, whose Warbirds (4-2) built a 55-41 lead in the closing seconds.
The win ties Dayton with Cincinnati (4-2) for second place in the Atlantic East, only a game behind the division-leading River City Rage (5-1). Cincinnati comes to Dayton Monday night for a 7 p.m. game at the Nutter Center.
"Cincy is real tough," said King, whose team lost to the Marshals, 81-74, on April 23 at Cincinnati. "It's a big rivalry. I just have to rest the guys and get them ready for a second game."
Montgomery (3-5) scored with six seconds to go, then attempted an on-side kick which the Maulers recovered. But the officials nullified the play when a player touched the ball before it went 10 yards.
Dayton took over at that point and downed the ball, ending the game.
Warbirds' running back Pepe Pearson carried the ball 13 times for 64 yards and three touchdowns and wide receiver Maurice Lee, playing with some nagging aches, caught nine passes for 93 yards and three TDs.
"I thought the offense played well and the line carried us defense,: said King. "We had three fumbles, two of them in the first half, and we didn't tackle well."
Overcoming the negatives, King said "we just fought through all of it in what I would describe as a not too exciting game. But, the big thing is the âW' on the road."
Defensively, Ryan Terry collected his eighth quarterback sack of the season, second only to Daytona Beach's John Bowman who has nine. Terry also had nine tackles and one interception.
King said the line play was good and Terry got help from Lance Links.
Bellisari ended with 52 yards on 14 carries and passed for 165 yards on 18 of 28 with no interceptions and four touchdowns.
National Indoor Football League Stories from May 8, 2005
- Drillers ready for rival-Southwest Louisiana - Beaumont Drillers
- Warbirds defeat Montgomery, 55-48 - Dayton Bulldogs
- Maulers Fall in Hard Fought Battle - Montgomery Bears
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