Warriors Get Big Win Over LandSharks
May 8, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Utah Warriors News Release
West Valley City, UT â The Utah Warriors (5-3) hung on to defeat the Lake Charles LandSharks 77-74 on Saturday afternoon at the E-Center. Utah stopped Lake Charles (2-4) receiver Nick Dugas three inches short of a first down on a fourth and ten play with 15 seconds to play. Lake Charles had the ball after recovering an on-side kick following their final score with 0:48 left to play. Utah had pushed the lead to 77-66 at the 1:03 mark, but Lake Charles struck quick and then recovered the on-side kick.
Omar Bacon carried the Utah offense, scoring five total touchdowns. He finished with 17 carries for 67 yards and four rushing scores. His final touchdown put Utah ahead for good when he scampered 20 yards, giving the Warriors a 70-66 lead with 4:28 left in the game. On the next LandShark play, Shawn Kojima intercepted back-up quarterback Dugas' pass. Doug Smith then ran four yards for a touchdown capping a six play, 20 yard drive that sealed the win for the Warriors.
Smith finished the day 15x26 for 214 yards and three touchdowns. He did throw two interceptions, but ran eight times for 57 yards and two touchdowns. Emmett White had four receptions for 52 yards and one score, plus threw one touchdown pass for 11 yards to Cody Weight in the first half. Weight had four catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns.
Lake Charles scored on 11 of their 16 possessions, but only once in their final four. Bart Amundson turned the first stop into a touchdown when he recovered a fumble by LandShark quarterback Freddie Harrison in the end zone. Amundson finished the game with a team high six tackles, including one for loss. He also had a fumble recovery on a kickoff return by Warrior Mike Rigell. Kojima's interception gave Utah a second straight stop with 3:55 to play, and led Utah to the win.
Dee McCormick finished with 5.5 tackles, including the final tackle that held the LandSharks short on their final play. Jason Potter added 4.5 tackles and Cazzie Brown recorded the game's only sack.
Harrison finished the game 14x23 for 225 yards and six touchdowns and David Winbush ran 18 times for 89 yards while scoring twice. Jermaine Martin hauled in four passes for 83 yards and two scores.
Utah returns to the E-Center next Saturday night at 7:00 pm when they host the Omaha Beef in a rematch of last season's Pacific Conference championship game.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from May 8, 2004
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- Warriors Get Big Win Over LandSharks - Utah Warriors
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