Week Two Previews

March 8, 2012 - Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) News Release


The second week of the UIFL season will feature some exciting matchups with Johnstown hosting Erie, Cincinnati traveling to Eastern Kentucky and Rome going to Lakeland.

MISSISSIPPI (0-1) AT FLORIDA (1-0) 7:30 p.m. March 9

The Mississippi Hound Dogs will be looking to erase a sour taste from their mouths after losing a late leads in falling to Rome, 35-30, last week. Back-to-back possessions ended with botched snaps and the Rampage added a safety in the fourth quarter.

Mississippi used two quarterbacks, Richard McFadden and Jami Boland, and both struggled mightily. They combined to throw for 103 yards on 9 of 21 passing.

Aubrey Norris will lead the Tarpons into their first-ever UIFL game as indoor football returns to south Florida. Norris will have a couple of weapons at his disposal, including 6-7 receiver Carlos Singleton. Darrell Roseman (Arizona) and Zach Slagle (Ohio State) anchors Florida in the trenches.

CINCINNATI (1-0) AT EASTERN KENTUCKY (0-1) 7 p.m. March 9

Someone's winning streak is coming to an end Friday at the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center as Cincinnati puts its 15-game streak against Eastern Kentucky's eight-game home streak. The Drillers have never tasted defeat in their home arena.

Cincinnati opened its UIFL stint by hanging a 21-point loss on Johnstown in which receiver Brandon Boehm set new franchise records in receptions (nine) and yards (119). Driller cornerback David Jones will probably spend a lot of time defending Boehm.

The Commandos aren't the only team with an explosive receiver as Aric Evans lit up the Marion secondary to the tune of 11 catches for 209 yards and four touchdowns.

ROME (1-0) AT LAKELAND (0-0) 7:15 p.m. March 10

Rome is out to disprove the stigmatism's that usually besets travel teams in indoor football as the Rampage opened the season with a 35-30 victory over Mississippi. Receiver Jeff Phillips scored three touchdowns for Rome as the Rampage defense took advantage of several Hound Dog miscues. Quarterback Jamaris Walden added two rushing touchdowns.

Tavares Woodley will suit up for this third UIFL team in two years after playing for Johnstown and Canton last season. Woodley and veteran threat Octavious "Gator" Day provides indoor experience to a Lakeland team making its UIFL debut.

WESTERN PA (0-1) AT MARION (1-0) 7:30 p.m. March 10

Marion is coming off a good win over last season's league runners up, Eastern Kentucky, and hosts a Western Pennsylvania team look to rebound off a humbling performance. The Sting was taken to the woodshed by Erie, 81-7.

The Blue Racers defense is strong up front with reigning UIFL Defensive Player of the Year, Thomas McKenzie and line mate Curtis McGhee. Offensively, Josh Harris' dual threat ability will test a young Sting defense. Western PA has a roster littered by indoor rookies, so hopefully they opener serves as a true learning experience.

Quarterback Rod Rutherford is one of few veterans, and giving him time will be key for the Sting. He was harassed all game against Erie.

ERIE (1-0) AT JOHNSTOWN (0-1) 4 p.m. March 11

Johnstown's improved team will have another stern test as they host Erie Sunday. Indoor teams from the two cities have been rivals in numerous leagues in the past. Due to renovations at the Tullio Arena, Erie starts the season with seven of its first eight games at home. This marks the only road game during the aforementioned stretch.

Under head coach Shawn Liotta, Erie has been an offensive juggernaut - throwing the ball on every down. Colton Hansen was 17-of-38 for 216 yards and eight touchdowns, five of which went to Tirone Morris.

Defensive back DeQwan Young and Matt Speed will have to play better for the Generals to have a chance. In the game against Cincinnati, Young and Speed each had chances for multiple interceptions that would have stopped Commandos drives. On the bright side, the Generals red zone defense held Cincinnati on three possessions inside the five yardline.

Johnstown will have to avoid the critical turnovers; they had three interceptions in the first half, to score with the Explosion.



Ultimate Indoor Football League Stories from March 8, 2012


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