Warriors and Drillers Stage Classic Battle
June 6, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Utah Warriors News Release
West Valley City, UT â The Beaumont Drillers rallied from a 46-23 halftime deficit and ended up winning 84-77 in overtime at the E-Center over the Utah Warriors. Beaumont lead 77-70 with 1:45 to play in regulation, but Doug Smith found Emmett White on the final play. Pete Garces then kicked the PAT to tie the game at 77. Beaumont got the ball first and scored after converting a fourth and 11. Then on Utah's first play Doug Smith was intercepted by Troy Esprit to seal the win for Beaumont.
Every quarter saw at least 20 points for one team as the teams combined for 161 points. Beaumont used a 54-31 second half to get the game even and force the overtime. Utah had led the entire game, until Driller quarterback Marc Saldana found Chad Luttrell with 1:45 left for their first lead. Luttrell left the game in the first half after an injury during a kick return. Saldana finished 18x29 for 259 yards and seven touchdowns. Pat Palmer led Beaumont with six catches for 102 yards while scoring three times.
Warrior fullback Emmett White dominated the game with six touchdowns and 383 all purpose yards, including 103 receiving. Doug Smith finished 15x21 for 167 yards and five touchdowns, but had two interceptions. Cole Cooper saw time in the second half and was 1x5 for 36 yards and one score.
This was the first overtime game in Warrior history and the 161 points set a team record for points by both team combined. White's 383 all purpose yards set a team record, breaking the 305 he had against Austin last season. White also set a team record with 224 kick return yards.
Utah travels to Show Me on Thursday, June 17 for a big game with the Believers. Utah wraps up the regular season at home against the Billings Outlaws on June 26.
National Indoor Football League Stories from June 6, 2004
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- Warriors and Drillers Stage Classic Battle - Utah Warriors
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