Week 5 Players of the Week Announced

March 23, 2016 - Indoor Football League (IFL) News Release

Green Bay Blizzard KR Chevelle Buie
(Green Bay Blizzard)

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Angelo Pease (RB, Sioux Falls Storm)

The Sioux Falls Storm defeated the Colorado Crush 58-55 in one of the most thrilling games in recent IFL history last weekend. The Storm narrowly escaped Colorado on the strength of a 46 yard field goal with no time remaining and kept their perfect record alive. Key to the victory though was the performance of RB Angelo Pease. Pease (5'11, 200, Kansas State) had the most productive game of any running back in the IFL this season as he gashed the Colorado defense for 137 yards and three touchdowns on just 18 carries. His strong 7.6 yards per carry average kept the chains moving in the Storm's favor throughout the night. Pease proved to be truly effective in the latter half of the game as two of his three touchdowns came in the second half. Due to a strong performance against the Crush, Pease ranks third in the IFL in rushing yards (214). The Sioux Falls Storm head to Cedar Rapids this week to take on the Titans in a rematch of last season's United Conference Championship.

Honorable Mention: Matt Behrendt (QB, Green Bay Blizzard), Damien Fleming (QB, Colorado Crush), Kyle Kaiser (WR, Colorado Crush), Bryan Pray (WR, Green Bay Blizzard)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Rashard Smith (DB, Colorado Crush)

The Colorado Crush came within a second of upsetting the defending IFL champions in the Sioux Falls Storm ultimately falling 58-55 however. The Crush's pass defense clamped down on the Storm's ever-dangerous passing offense allowing only 60 yards through the air. Leading the secondary was DB Rashard Smith ,who proved to be a ballhawk in the secondary, forcing turnovers and kept the game at a back-and-forth affair. Smith (5'10,180, North Carolina State) was an ever-present force in the secondary as intercepted three passes from Storm QB Lorenzo Brown. The three interceptions is the most a Storm QB has thrown in over five years. Smith is just one of two defensive backs this season to intercept three passes in a single game this season, along with Week 2 IFL Defensive Player of the Week Storm DB Jon Setzer. Smith's additionally provided four tackles while stymieing the Storm offense. Smith and the Crush enjoy a bye week this week before traveling to face the Tri-Cities Fever on April 1.

Honorable Mention: Derek Earls (LB, Green Bay Blizzard), Elijah Fields (DB, Sioux Falls Storm), Jabari Gorman (DB, Nebraska Danger), Cory Grissom (DL, Nebraska Danger)

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Chevelle Buie (KR, Green Bay Blizzard)

The Green Bay Blizzard earned their first victory of the season after knocking off the previously undefeated Nebraska Danger in overtime 66-60 in Week 5. KR Buie (5'9, 165, Fort Scott Community College) started off the game for the Blizzard on the right foot as he returned the opening kickoff 56 yards for a touchdown to give the Blizzard the early lead. It was a lead the Blizzard would hold onto into the fourth quarter as the team withstood a late rally by the Danger. Buie finished the game with 171 kick return yards on seven returns, a deadly 24.4 yards per return average. The Blizzard look to maintain their winning momentum throughout their upcoming bye week and return to the field on April 2 vs the Cedar Rapids Titans.

Honorable Mention: Theodore Beuchert (K, Colorado Crush), Brandon Johnson-Farrell (KR, Sioux Falls Storm), Lyle McCombs (KR, Nebraska Danger), Justin Syrovatka (K, Sioux Falls Storm)

Sioux Falls Storm RB Angelo Pease

Colorado Crush DB Rashard Smith

Green Bay Blizzard KR Chevelle Buie

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• Week 5 Players of the Week Announced - IFL
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