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Warriors Run All Over Diesel

July 10, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Utah Warriors News Release


WEST VALLEY CITY, UT – The Utah Warriors mixed things up in the opening round of the 2004 NIFL Playoffs as they knocked off the third-seeded Tri-City Diesel 59-42 at the E-Center on Saturday night. Utah used a dominating rushing attack to control the ball and open up the passing game at opportune times. Tri-City was playing without NIFL sacks leader Leif Muprhy and his presence on the defensive line. Without Murphy, Utah ran for a team record 184 yards and only threw for 87 yards.

Through the first quarter it looked like it was going to be another high scoring shoot-out as the two teams combined for 41 points, with Utah leading 28-13 after the first quarter. The Utah defense held Tri-City to just one touchdown and two field goals on the DieselÂ’s first three possessions. Utah scored a touchdown on each of its first six possessions and after a bizarre ending to the first half that saw a blocked Tri-City field goal, and then a 38-yard Pete Garces field goal to end the half, Utah led 45-25.

Tri-City starting quarterback Alex Neist sat out the second half with an injury and Tri-City responded. They outscored the Warriors 14-0 in the third quarter, and opened the second half on a 17-0 run, cutting the lead to 45-42 with 11:37 to play. Utah then found its offense in the fourth and scored the gameÂ’s final 14 points.

Quarterback Doug Smith finished the game with a team record 95 yards rushing and scored one touchdown, while Emmett White added 84 yards rushing and three touchdowns. White set up the Warrior offense early with four kickoff returns for 103 yards. Smith also threw for 106 yards and three touchdowns, going 12x17 and not throwing an interception. Cody Jamison scored two receiving touchdowns and on his only rush from scrimmage this season, he scored a touchdown on a 5-yard scamper up the middle.

The Utah defense was in the Diesel quarterbackÂ’s face all night. Neist finished the game with 115 yards and two touchdowns, but he was just 7x16 with one interception. Neist only threw four picks in 270 attempts during the regular season. Back-up quarterback Jeremy Martin finished 4x9 with one interception and one touchdown, throwing for 73 yards.

Jason Ah You sparked the Warriors with a team high 6.5 tackles. He also contributed two pass break-ups, one blocked kick and four quarterback hurries. Bart Amundson was his usual self with six tackles, one for loss and five QB hurries. Shawn Kojima came up with one interception and one fumble recovery. The fumble recovery leading to the Warriors final touchdown. Dee McCormick sealed the game with an interception in the final minute, and he forced the fumble that Kojima recovered.

Andre Hatcher filled in nicely for the Diesel with 19 carries for 76 yards playing for Wesley Cates. During the regular season Cates rushed for over 1,000 yards, but didnÂ’t make the trip due to personal reasons. Sonte Wong had seven catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Diesel receivers.

Utah now travels to Sioux Falls, South Dakota next Saturday for a Pacific Conference semi-final game with the top seeded Strom. The Warriors and Storm have met five times in the two year history of the Warriors, including a 68-55 Warriors win in the Pacific Conference semi-finals last season. That game however was played at the E-Center, while this game is set for Sioux Falls Arena. Utah and Sioux Falls split two meeting this year, with each winning at home, at the home team has never lost in the five meetings.

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