Wichita Smacks Omaha in Record Setting Night
Published on May 5, 2012 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
WICHITA, KS. - The Wichita Wild of the Indoor Football League (IFL) showed flexed their muscles over visiting Omaha Beef tonight, pounding them 77 to 41. 77 points sets the record for most points scored by the Wichita Wild since their 76-10 victory over the Alaska Wild on March 7th, 2009. Wichita played quarterback carousel between Marcus Jackson and Phil Staback throughout the game, trying to get timing and game speed back for Staback. Rookie running back Tywon Hubbard also had an outstanding and dominating game scoring 6 touchdowns. This evening's win gives Wichita their second straight home game win, the other over Allen last week.
Wichita set the tone early in the game, jumping all over the Omaha Beef in the first quarter starting with the special teams and then the defense. Tywon Hubbard returned the opening kickoff 45 yards putting Wichita up 7-0. On Omaha's first play, Knedrick Harper jumped on McNear's pass and took it to the house giving Wichita a 14-0 lead. Omaha cut Wichita's lead 14-3 on a Cismesia 43 yard field goal, but Omaha's early frustration was apparent, with the Beef getting into several scuffles resulting in personal fouls and unsportsmanlike penalties. On a pitch to the right, Hubbard scored from 3 yards out giving Wichita a 20-3 lead after a blocked PAT by Omaha. The Beef finally settled down and put together a substantial drive. Once again, Wild defense came up big with a sack from Matt Moss from the blindside forcing a 31 yard field goal by Cismesia once again cutting Wichita's lead 20-6. Marcus Jackson made quick work and found Doug Pierce in the back of the end zone for their first connection giving Wichita a 27-6 lead. Omaha, feeling like the Tennessee Titans in the Music City Miracle, attempted a reverse throwback that was returned for a touchdown, but the referee ruled out Omaha's return man at half field. The Beef drive stalled after the great field position and was forced to attempt a 40 yard field goal, but was wide right. Another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty granted the Wild with great field position. The first quarter ended with Wild accumulating 63 total yards while Omaha only garnered 28 yards. Wichita 27 Omaha 6.
Continuing the first quarter trend, Wichita's defense once again shut down the Beef offense. Omaha's offensive line did not give Beef quarterback McNear much protection. The Wild defense continuously put him under pressure causing scrambles or thrown away passes. Wichita started the second quarter much like the first, scoring on their first drive. Jackson rushed for 16 yards setting up a sweep to the right for an 8 yard touchdown for Hubbard. This was Hubbard's' third touchdown of the game, second rushing giving Wichita a 34-6 lead. The Wild defense was once again stellar, but McNear scrambled for 13 yards keeping the Omaha drive alive, finishing the drive with a quarterback keeper giving Omaha their first touchdown of the game, cutting Wichita's lead 34-13. Phil Staback entered the game for Jackson on Wichita's next drive, completing a 16 yard pass to Tim Simmons. Hubbard highlighted the Wild drive with a 15 yard dash and then capped off the drive with a 9 yard scamper putting Wichita up 41-13. Upon receiving the ball, Omaha was down to fourth and goal and caused McNear to throw the ball away, but the play was negated by a roughing the passer giving Omaha new life. Omaha took advantage of this new life and scored on a 3 yard pass to a flashy high-rising Kamara. With just 1:17 remaining, Omaha choose to kick a line drive knuckle ball, but quick thinking Tommy Becker fielded the kick putting the Wild on the Omaha 18 yard line. On the first play, Staback completed a pass on the first play to newly signed Landon Turner for his first touchdown for the Wild giving Wichita a 48-20 lead. After a stalled drive by Omaha, Cismesia attempted a 53 yard field goal that was wide right. With just 47 seconds remaining, Wichita could only muster a 33 yard field goal by Chandler ending the second quarter with Wichita up 51-20. Wichita essentially outgained Omaha with 180 yards of total offense to 92 yards of total offense.
Omaha's offense went flat in the third quarter only capitalizing on their first possession. Allen Burrell climbed the back wall for a 13 yard catch cutting the lead 51-27. Jackson stepped back in for Staback. The third was quarter was marred with penalties and ejections as Tarkington received his second unsportsmanlike penalty resulting in an ejection. Upset with the call, Beef assistant coach found himself ejected from the game as well, after arguing with the referee. Thanks to the penalties, Wichita was granted with amazing field position. Hubbard jumped on this opportunity scoring his 4th touchdown of the game. Hoping to spark the Beef offense, Martevious Young stepped in for McNear, but could not get the offense going. Cismesia missed a 43 yard field goal and gave the ball back to the Wild. Two penalties fueled the Wild's next drive. Tim Simmons and Jackson combined for a 5 yard touchdown reception putting Wichita up 64-27 after a missed PAT by Chandler. Once again, the Wild defense stood up to the test and shut down Omaha's offense. Becker ended the drive with a sack forcing Cismesia to try a 58 yard field goal which missed left. Omaha could not contain the high flying Wild offense as Hubbard's 19 yard rush set up Simmons highlight reel sliding 16 yard catch from Jackson. Wichita went up 70-27 after a missed PAT. The Wild gave Omaha some hope with a penalty dominated drive that was capped off by Kamara on a 14 yard reception: Wichita 70 Omaha 34. Staback returned to the game and fed Hubbard with a flare pass finding his way to the end zone. Omaha tried to show some heart and assemble some kind of offense, but was shut down with the Wild defense sacked Young causing him to fumble which was recovered by Kwame Jordan. On the first play after the fumble recovery, Staback threw an interception ending Wichita's hopes of padding their record scoring night. After a long run by Young, Wichita nose tackle Callahan Bright forced Young out of the game with a huge hit. McNear reentered the game and found Harrold in the back of the end zone. The final scored of the game was Wichita 77 Omaha 41.
Wichita Wild Head Coach Morris Lolar talked about his team's effort tonight, "Things are starting to click for these guys. This is two impressive back to back wins for us. We are looking to build momentum with these wins and keep this streak going to make our playoff push." Wichita's most effective player was Hubbard. Hubbard finished the game with 124 yards rushing on 19 attempts and 4 touchdowns. Hubbard collected 25 yards receiving and 1 touchdown, along with a 45 yard kickoff return to open the game. Tim Simmons caught 2 touchdowns on 66 yards to highlight the receivers, but four players had reception touchdowns for the Wild. Marcus Jackson and Phil Staback combined for 12 of 19 for 135 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Wichita had 154 yards rushing and 130 yards passing amassing to 284 yards of total offense. Omaha could only muster 181 yards of total offense against Wichita's stone-cold defense. .
The Wichita Wild will return to action at Hartman Arena on Saturday, May 19th when they take on the Nebraska Danger. To keep up with all the latest Wild news, and to purchase your tickets for the May 19th game, visit www.wichitawildfootball.com. Follow the team's social media on Facebook, Twitter (@WildFootball), Foursquare and Gowalla.
Indoor Football League Stories from May 5, 2012
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- Express Start a Steak Picking up Second Win Against the Steelhawks - Reading Express
- Wichita Smacks Omaha in Record Setting Night - Wichita Wild
- Edge Swept by Green Bay with 34-21 Loss - Bloomington Edge
- Colorado Ice Signs Offensive Standouts - Colorado Crush
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