Warbirds look forward to 'Buckeye Night' as they battle Lakeland Friday
Published on April 26, 2005 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Dayton Bulldogs News Release
Boasting former Ohio State Buckeye players, Steve Bellisari, Pepe Pearson and Maurice Lee on their Warbirds' roster, Dayton is hosting an Ohio State Night with former players visiting the Nutter Center and watching the Dayton Warbirds take on the Lakeland Thunderbolts starting at 7:00 p.m.
Coach King has the Warbirds flying, especially on offense where the team ranks 3rd overall in the NIFL averaging 59.8 points a game. They trail only the division-rival the River City Rage and the Everett Hawks, both at 60.6.
The Warbirds are entering Friday Night's Game with a 2-2 record, "We really need to win this game, so we can get to the top of our division," said Head Coach Matt King. "We know we are capable of a championship in Dayton. We are excited about the game on Friday, and look forward to a win on our home turf."
Out of 22 teams in the league, Dayton is 7th in total offense, averaging 248.8 yards a game, and the Warbirds are first in the league in rushing offense as a team at 95.5 yards a game.
It's the balance of Dayton's attack that makes them so potent. In rushing, no one would think that quarterback Steve Bellisari would lead the team with 214 yards (32.5 a game) on the ground. Keith Brooks and Pepe Pearson have 119 (39.7) and 114 (28.5) yards, respectively, making up the heart of the running game.
Defensively, the Warbirds lead the league in quarterback sacks with 12.
The Warbirds kickoff this Friday at 7:00 pm with a pre-game party at the Nutter Center outside of Gate 3 starting at 5:00PM. The Nutter Center will be selling food and discounted beverages.
National Indoor Football League Stories from April 26, 2005
- Warbirds look forward to 'Buckeye Night' as they battle Lakeland Friday - Dayton Bulldogs
- Morays hold Faith & Family Day May 1 - Miami Morays
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